interference

July 15, Milwaukee-  The renowned Cuban group "Sierra Maestra" was unable to

perform at Milwaukee's Rainbow Summer outdoor concert series today, due to US government interference. Although they have performed in the US and around the world without incident in the past, the US part of their 25th anniversary tour had to be cancelled, after their visa applications of many months ago was not fully processed, reportedly due to failure of the FBI to issue them security clearances. Since the US continues to list Cuba as a "terrorist" nation, extra clearance requirements have been applied to Cubans seeking to visit the US. And even before 9-11, the current administration began a policy to severely limit visas for potential Cuban visitors and performers, and has similarly attempted to limit travel for most US nationals to visit Cuba.
"I'm just wondering if this has more to do with post-Iraq war politics and less with post 9/11 security," the sponsor in Chicago said. "Our doors and windows to the world are being shuttered, one canceled gig at a time."

see: www.suntimes.com/output/music/cst-ftr-cuban10.html

Coalition members leafletted the evening concert, advising to the hundreds who came to hear Sierra Maestra, what had happened to the scheduled performers, and inviting them to complain to their representatives, as well as to the state department and FBI.