Kosovo Peace Bus Cuba Caravan Bus

Excerpted from reports from Fredy Champagne and the VFP web site www.humboldt.net/~veterans/Chapter22/

"We learned from the Vietnam War, that the ruthlessness of leaders and the stupidity of 'experts,' must be countered by the courage, good sense, and persistence of the citizenry. Therefore, after painting and outfitting a school bus, four VFPers departed 19 April 1999 on a ten-day National Veterans for Peace Campaign protesting the U.S./NATO war in Yugoslavia. The 'Kosovo Peace Bus' held rallies and teach-ins in major cities across the USA."

After a send off from the west coast the bus continued on across the states, Oakland, Reno, Salt Lake, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh. All-in-all the bus met up with and protested along with thousands of activists across the country. Groups from "Women Against Military Madness", Quakers, local peace groups and other VFP chapters welcomed and demonstrated along with the Kosovo Peace Bus against the brutal bombing of Yugoslavia.

"...The Kosovo Peace Bus arrived in Washington, D.C. Friday evening April 30th... The VFPers participated in Saturday's opening rally protesting the U.S. Army School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia. Over 3000 people across from the White House, in Lafayette Park, listened to speakers and songs about the repression in Latin American countries, and called for an end of the terrorist training at the SOA..." "...On Monday the 3rd, the bus and 2000 others greeted the arriving Pentagon workers with a 7AM protest against the SOA. Security was tight, as evidenced by the drug and explosive dogs who were guided to sniff the peace bus. Later that morning, the bus attended a rally by SOA Watch (www.soaw.org/infolinks.html) on the steps of the Capitol building. The bus was stopped 3 more times to 'check it out,' wondering why they were circling the Capitol building. (No parking available in The Capitol)."

"...Parenthetically, the Kosovo Peace Bus is owned by Pastors for Peace whose planned ultimate destination for this bus was Cuba. After the Peace tour, the bus participated in the 9th annual US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan. It was repainted, tuned up and loaded up, and driven in the east coast leg of the caravan. This year the caravan is dedicated to the doctors and nurses of Cuba. The bus, along with more than $10 million worth of medical supplies, were donated to the Cubans."

Address for Fredy Champagne and VFP Chapter 22 is 483 Conger Street Garberville, CA 95542.