The Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba is an activist organization that opposes the ban on travel to socialist-ruled Cuba and embargos and sanctions that the United States has in place against Cuba. ¹

The Coalition has monthly meetings of its members, coordinates rallies against the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and publishes information on trips to Cuba in support of normalized relations. The coalition partners with liberal groups to protest the sanctions against Cuba, and to support socialist concepts such as government-provided and taxpayer-funded education and health care. The Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba is part of a larger coalition of liberal groups protesting the Republican National Convention to be held in Milwaukee in 2024. ²

Background

The Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba was founded in 1994 by civic activists in Wisconsin, who support Cuba’s sovereignty and call for the normalization of United States’ relations with Cuba. ³ It is made up of both organizations and individuals. ⁴

Policies

The Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba supports the normalization of the United States’ relations with Cuba and opposes the ban on travel to Cuba and any economic embargos and sanctions that the United States has in place. The Coalition encourages contact between people in the United States and in Cuba, leveraging religious, union, professional, and cultural organizations, with a focus on connecting African Americans with Cubans of African descent. ⁵

Programs

The Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba has monthly meetings with its members and sponsors events. ⁶

The Coalition coordinates a monthly rally and caravan, which was originally started by Cuban Americans in Miami, in support of Cuban families and against the U.S. embargo on Cuba. ⁷

The Coalition publishes information on opportunities to travel to Cuba in support of the Cuban people and publishes information on how to travel to Cuba as an individual. ⁸ The Coalition announced trips in 2022 and 2023 that would include discussions on the right to free education, free and universal healthcare, and the implementation of social programs. ⁹

The Coalition endorses the International US-Cuba Normalization Committee Coalition and is involved in the International Cuba Conference, which brought together organizations to fight the U.S. sanctions against Cuba. ¹⁰

The Coalition sponsors the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization/Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba fundraising to challenge the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba and deliver medical supplies. ¹¹

The Coalition partners with Milwaukee’s International Women’s Day Coalition and was part of the National Day of Action march to the Federal Building and U.S. Court House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to protest the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson that overturned the Court’s previous holding of a constitutional right to abortion. ¹²

Opposition to the Republican National Convention

The Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba is part of a larger coalition of left-wing and radical-left groups protesting the 2024 Republican National Convention being held in Milwaukee. A spokesman for the Coalition to March on the convention said, “We will not let the Republicans and their reactionary ideas flourish in Milwaukee.” Other coalition members include Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. ¹³

Freedom Road Socialist Organization is a revolutionary organization fighting for socialism in the United. States. ¹⁴ Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression is a left-wing organization aligned with the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which campaigns for civilian control of police, freeing political prisoners, and abolishing the death penalty. ¹⁵

Leadership

Arthur Heitzer is one of the founders of the Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. ¹⁶ He studied law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. ¹⁷ Heitzer is an attorney based in Milwaukee and chair of the National Lawyers Guild Cuba Subcommittee. ¹⁸

1.  Facebook – Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104016609871/
2. Jessica Rodriguez. “Groups vow to protest 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 6, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2022. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2022/08/05/milwaukee-groups-vow-protest-2024-republican-national-convention/10249977002/
3. “Milwaukee to Launch 32nd Friendshipment of Medicine to Cuba on July 6.” Urban Milwaukee. July 1, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2022. https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/milwaukee-to-launch-32nd-friendshipment-of-medicine-to-cuba-on-july-6/
4. “Membership Information.” Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://wicuba.org/membership-information/
5. Facebook – Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/groups/104016609871/
6. “Membership Information.” Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://wicuba.org/membership-information/
7. “Milwaukee Rally and Car & Bike Caravan.” Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. September 2, 2022. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://wicuba.org/2022/09/02/milwaukee-rally-and-car-bike-caravan/
8. “Travel to Cuba.” Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://wicuba.org/travel-to-cuba/
9. Wisconsin Coalition promotes trips to Cuba despite US blockade.” Cuba Si. March 26, 2022. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://cubasi.cu/en/news/wisconsin-coalition-promotes-trips-cuba-despite-us-blockade
10. “Organize and Mobilize.” IUCNC. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://iucnc.org/index.html
11. “Milwaukee to Launch 32nd Friendshipment of Medicine to Cuba on July 6.” Urban Milwaukee. July 1, 2022. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/milwaukee-to-launch-32nd-friendshipment-of-medicine-to-cuba-on-july-6/
12. “International Women’s Day Coalition: Responds to Planned Parenthood’s call to action.” WISPolitics.com Press Releases. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/international-womens-day-coalition-responds-to-planned-parenthoods-call-to-action/
13. Jessica Rodriguez. “Groups vow to protest 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.” MSN – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 6, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2022. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/groups-vow-to-protest-2024-republican-national-convention-in-milwaukee/ar-AA10m8hv
14. “What is the Freedom Road Socialist Organization?” FRSO.org. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://frso.org/about/
15. “About Us.” National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.” Accessed September 5, 2022. https://naarpr.org/about/
16.  Mallory Cheng, Kobe Brown. “Activist Group Calls For An End To Cuba Sanctions And Trade Embargo.” WUWM 89.7 FM. August 26, 2021. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.wuwm.com/2021-08-26/activist-group-calls-for-an-end-to-cuba-sanctions-and-trade-embargo
17. “Arthur Heitzer.” Facebook – About. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/arthur.heitzer/about
18. “Arthur Heitzer.” Wisconsin Public Radio. Biographical information last updated on August 9, 2021. Accessed August 28, 2022. https://www.wpr.org/people/arthur-heitzer