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<h1 id="reader-title">Cuba-Trained Doctors Head to Standing Rock</h1>
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<p>December 2, 2016<br>
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<p>In a late Thursday Facebook post, a group of U.S.-based
medical professionals trained at Cuba’s famous Latin
American School of Medicine, or ELAM, announced they
will head to Standing Rock “to humbly serve in
solidarity with the Sacred Water Protectors on the front
lines of the current human rights and ecological crisis
occurring right now in North Dakota.” </p>
<p>Dr. Revery P. Barnes, a graduate of ELAM, said in a
post on Facebook, “We answer the call to serve in
alignment with the mission and core principles of our
alma mater and dedication to our commitment to serve
underserved communities in our HOME country.” The
delegation will work in collaboration with the Standing
Rock Medic and Healer Council. </p>
<p>“While Cuba instilled in us an unwavering commitment to
internationalism, with the acceptance of a full
scholarship to medical school at ELAM, we made the moral
commitment to respond to the needs of our most
vulnerable communities here at home in the U.S.,” the
statement continued. </p>
<p>On Wednesday, the Standing Rock Medic and Healer
Council – which has been providing emergency and chronic
health care services to the thousands of water
protectors gathered at Standing Rock – issued a warning
about the grave health and safety threats posed by
escalating use of violence by Morton County Sheriff’s
Department and Dakota Access Pipeline security
personnel, whom they described as creating “war-like
conditions.” </p>
<p>While the Facebook statement did not give details about
the size of the delegation or when it is expected to
arrive, the announcement comes as thousands of U.S. Army
veterans are expected to arrive at the Oceti Sakowin
camp this weekend in anticipation of the Dec. 5 eviction
notice given to the camp by the Army Corps of Engineers
and North Dakota Governor, Jack Dalrymple. </p>
<p>Health and safety concerns for the thousands of Water
Protectors, who are asserting their Indigenous
sovereignty in attempts to block the multi-billion
dollar Dakota Access Pipeline project, are also on the
rise as harsh winter conditions have been exacerbated by
state law enforcement threats to cut off supplies and
access to emergency services. </p>
<p>The Latin American School of Medicine was created in
1999 by the Cuban government and is one of the largest
medical schools in the world, with approximately 19,550
students from 110 countries. All students receive a full
scholarship, including room and board, and preferential
treatment is given to applicants from marginalized
groups who intend to return and practice in their own
communities. The school plays a key part in Cuba’s
widely-hailed medical internationalism, which has seen
the socialist country send over 80,000 health care
workers to over 94 countries to provide treatment and
assistance to impoverished or underprivileged
populations. </p>
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<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Freedom Archives
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San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
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