Colombia Mobilization Press Release
New York, N.Y.-- On April 19-22, hundreds or New York residents will head for Washington, DC, to tell Congress they want a new policy approach in Colombia. The New York contingent will join thousands of other concerned citizens from around the country as part of the National Mobilization on Colombia. A broad coalition of human rights, labor, environmental, religious, and peace groups is organizing the event. The three days include lobbying, teach-ins, a mass rally, and non-violent action all to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of current US policy in Colombia and to propose positive alternatives.
Four Decades of Brutal Armed Conflict
Colombia has endured nearly four decades of brutal armed conflict between the national army, leftist guerilla movements, and right wing paramilitary forces. Overwhelmingly, the victims of this conflict have been civilians. In Colombia, 14 people a day die in political violence with scores of human rights advocates, union organizers, university students, and religious leaders living under death threats or forced into exile. Into this very complex situation the US Congress has appropriated nearly $2 billion - the majority for military aid - to fight the "war on drugs." The sad truth is that in our own backyard, in other words, here in the Empire State, the New York State‚s Senators voted in favor of this package in spite of some opposition by many New York State's Congressmen.
The Militarized Approach is a Failure
Opponents of the current US policy charge that the militarized approach is a failure. Not only has it not reduced drugs on US streets, it has escalated the human rights crisis in Colombia. The broad coalition organizing the April event asserts that US military aid to the Colombian army is a mistake. The Colombian military has well-documented ties with the right-wing paramilitary forces responsible for nearly 80 percent of the human rights abuses. Coalition members point out that the US placed the Colombian paramilitary (AUC) on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations; yet US tax money aids the AUC through military aid to the Colombian army.
There is a Better Way
Along with military aid, the US package includes massive aerial spraying of crops. Opponents maintain that the indiscriminate spraying has devastated the environment, killed livestock, sickened children, and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes and livelihood. The group from New York and the thousands who will join them in the nation's capital in April believe there is a better way to combat drugs in the US and forge more positive relations with our Colombian neighbors.
Contact: Ramon Mejia.Tel: (718) 767-2989. or visit the website for more information:
Colombia Mobilization.org
Created by
george
Last modified
2002-09-11 02:45 PM
Rebels Kill Peace Activists
El conflicto entre el Pueblo Embera Katío y la hidroeléctrica Urrá S.A.
