American Notes DISSENT

Billed as the first Veterans' Convoy for Peace, the 38 vans, cars and pickup trucks started their journey from Maine, Ohio, Montana and Washington. Their mission: to deliver 25 tons of donated food, medical supplies and toys to relief agencies in Nicaragua. But as the vehicles tried to cross the Mexican border from Laredo, Texas, last week, U.S. Customs officials insisted that the convoy drivers pledge not to violate the Administration's trade embargo by leaving their vehicles in Nicaragua. The drivers refused, claiming Nicaragua needed the rolling stock to transport children to hospitals and crops to market. After an eight-day stalemate, the convoy organizers decided to turn around and take their case directly to Washington, where they planned to lobby Congress and display samples of their humanitarian cargo across the street from the White House.