WASHINGTON -- April 26 -- News Advisory:

CUBA ACTION DAY: APRIL 27TH

OVER 700 TO CALL FOR END TO TRAVEL BAN; LEADERS FROM BUSINESS, ACADEMIA, AGRICULTURE, CUBAN-AMERICAN AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES COMING TO WASHINGTON, DC

DETAILS:

More than 700 Americans from across the US have registered to participate in "Cuba Action Day" on April 27th, a day of advocacy in Washington and around the nation, to demand that Congress end the Cuba travel ban that divides families, denies Americans their fundamental right to travel, harms Cubans, and impedes the creation of American jobs. Participants from more than 35 states will travel to Washington to take part, including over 100 Cuban- Americans angered by limits on family visits.

As Congress begins its annual debate over Cuba policy, the Hyatt Regency Hotel will be the site of a public forum, with participants to include Senators Baucus and Enzi, Representatives Flake and Delahunt, and Iraq War veteran Army Sergeant Carlos Lazo, who is now unable to visit his sons in Cuba due to the travel ban. Other victims of the travel ban will speak, as well, including Cuban American family members and representatives of the faith community. The day's events will also include a prayer breakfast, and meetings with Senators, Representatives, and their staffs.

WHO:

Center for International Policy/Freedom to Travel Campaign

Latin America Working Group

Washington Office on Latin America

Fifteen organizational co-sponsors

WHAT:

A day of action on Capitol Hill against the unfair ban on travel to Cuba that divides families, denies the Cuban people free access to humanitarian support, and restricts access to a market important to American farmers.

Prayer breakfast

Forum w/ Sens. Baucus and Enzi; Reps. Flake and Delahunt; and other members of Congress (Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 400 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

State delegation meetings and congressional briefings

Evening reception

WHEN:

Wednesday, April 27; 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cuba Action Day is the kick-off for a nation-wide, ongoing campaign. It is sponsored by organizations dedicated to changing US policy toward Cuba including: the Center for International Policy's Freedom to Travel Campaign, the Latin America Working Group, and the Washington Office on Latin America. For more information, please go to http://www.cubaactionday.org/ .

EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated location information for forum with Sens. Baucus and Enzi, Reps. Flake and Delahunt, and other members of Congress.

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