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Archives: June 2007
EL SALVADOR:
By Marly Cardona, SHARE Summer Intern
June 11th - 15th brought a gold mine of activities and events to oppose metallic mineral mining in El Salvador. This week of organized opposition was made possible by groups such as CRIPDES, the CCR (Association of Rural Communities for the Development of Chalatenango), the National
Working Space against Mineral Mining, CEICOM, UCRES and ADES-CAC-ASIC. These groups represent the many levels of society - from environmentalists to marginalized communities - who would be negatively affected by mining. The week of action against mineral mining was a combination of TV interviews, radio talks, informative interviews and debates, all of which drew attention to the issue on a national level.
On the first day of events, June 11th, a debate was scheduled between representatives of ADES, an organization representing impoverished rural communities, against the mining and Pacific Rim, a Canadian Mining company, hosted by journalist Mauricio Funes. Pacific Rim did not attend the debate precluding the chance to answer serious questions concerning the development and effects the mines will have on neighboring communities.
Later on that day, the National Working Space against Mineral Mining held a press conference detailing the activities for the week, which were organized by the Central American Alliance against Mineral Mining, formed on May 20, 2007. The members of the National Working Space against Mineral Mining also participated in a radio interview that was broadcasted to over twenty local and national radio stations. To finish up the first day of action, Radio Victoria interviewed the Environmental Committee of Cabaņas, a sub committee of the National Working Space against Mineral Mining. All of this publicity ensured that more Salvadorans became aware of the threat posed by mineral mining.
June 12th, set the stage for more dialogue concerning the environmental repercussions of mining. Journalist Mauricio Funes interviewed the Cuban Minister of the Environment to analyze and discuss these issues. Half of the program was dedicated to telephone calls received by the station, where the public expressed their interest in the subject of mineral mining in El Salvador. The National Working Space against Mineral Mining also joined in a demonstration with ecclesiastical communities, environmental agencies, and the Lutheran faith community in support of the VII Ibero-American Forum of Ministers and Vice Ministers of the Environment. The different organizations delivered letters directed to the officials regarding that Forum.
June 13th, was dedicated to raising consciousness and deeper understanding about mining. Different organizations visited homes in communities that would be affected directly by the mining activity in Cabaņas. Educational flyers were also passed out in those areas. Also, in the community of El Paisnal, UCRES carried out an assembly-forum on the same theme. Meanwhile the Environmental Committee of Cabaņas, ADES and ASID attempted to meet with the mayors of Sensuntepeque and San Isidro to express their opposition to the mining. The mayors, however, would not meet with them. In San Isidro, the National Police arrived to break up the crowd. In Santa Ana, three organized communities had better luck, and were able to meet with the mayor's personnel and deliver mail that expressed the reasons for their opposition. In all of these examples of civil participation, we see positive steps being taken by the population, and in some cases a very worrisome reaction on behalf of the government.
On June 14th, a parade of bannered vehicles traveled through the main streets of San Salvador. The vehicles made a stop at the Canadian Embassy to deliver a letter from the National Working Space against Mineral Mining to request that the Canadian Mining Company, Pacific Rim, leave El Salvador. The community representatives were unable to meet with Canadian officials.". Other stops were made at the Ministry of Economy and at the Legislative Assembly to request the approval of a proposal for the Mining Industry Law presented by the the National Working Space, which would prohibit metallic mineral mining in El Salvador. This legislation has received support from many actors, including the US Congress. The caravan made its final stop at a Cultural Arts Festival against mineral mining in the center of San Salvador. The festival included various folk dances and musical groups and concluded with a speech by representatives from the Lutheran and Catholic Churches.
On June 15th, a forum entitled "The Metallic Mining Industry: Investment for Development?" was held. Despite being invited to the event, neither the Minister of Economy nor the Minister of the Environment chose to attend. The absence of a representative from Pacific Rim Mining Company was also notable. Among other speakers, who discussed the effects of mining on water and health as well as the legal factors at stake with mining, Caesar Padilla, Executive Coordinator of the Latin-American Observatory of Mining Conflicts (OLCA) presented the "Impacts of the metallic mining industry". He spoke of the impacts of the mining industry in Latin America, chiefly Peru and Chile, where the mining industry has brought neither economic growth nor development. He commented that the problem is particularly pronounced in Central America, where some small mining businesses tend to arrive, destroy, and leave.
On June 17th, everyone celebrated the 19th anniversary of the CCR and in the midst of celebrating, they spoke about the mining industry to the leaders who participated in this event.
The organizations who participated in the week of action against mining were steadfast and committed in their efforts. Despite all of these efforts, however, the events of the week were not carried by much of the mainstream news media. Therefore, the issue of mining in El Salvador still goes relatively unnoticed by the many people, leaving the population more vulnerable to the propaganda produced by powerful companies. This week of action was undertaken to raise awareness about the issue and promote the rights of those who will be directly affected by the presence of these companies, and clearly requires our ongoing support in order to achieve its goals.
Now it is our turn to help raise awareness in the United States about mineral mining and the environmental and political implications of foreign mining companies in places like El Salvador. As we live in solidarity let us not forget this important duty.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
From the Latin America Working Group (LAWG):
We're on a roll! Thanks to your great work, H. RES. 426 for internally displaced persons in Colombia passed the House foreign affairs committee by voice vote earlier this week. The resolution seeks to bring attention to those forced by violence to flee their homes and calls for increased aid to help them rebuild their lives. Please contact your representative over the next two weeks and ask them to support H. RES. 426 when it comes to the House floor.
Rep. Langevin is now circulating a dear colleague letter to President Uribe that highlights the alarming increase in politically-motivated attacks against human rights organizations in Colombia. Read the letter here: http://www.lawg.org/docs/justapaz_06-28-07.pdf
During the first two weeks of June, the offices of Fellowship of Reconciliation and Justapaz - a partner organization and close ally, respectively - were broken into. Computers containing sensitive information on peace and church workers were stolen. Since the loss of this information has put our partners and allies in serious danger, we ask you to call your representative immediately through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge them to sign on to this important letter to President Uribe.
Although we plan to continue celebrating our hard won victory in the House, it is now time to shift our attention to securing a positive new direction for Colombia in the Senate. Since the foreign aid bill won't come before the full Senate until late July, now is the perfect time to contact your senator (or schedule a visit with their office!) and ask them to support this new approach in aid to Colombia. Encourage them to provide greater assistance to help Colombia's victims of violence, to strengthen the justice system, to provide real economic alternatives to small farmers, and to cut military aid.
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Immigration Bill dead!
The states will now have the initiatve for reform. Missouri showed us this session that they want enforcement and exclusion. IFCLA will be working with groups to see what we can do in the next months. If you want to get involved, please call or email us at the office. 314-721-2977/ifcla@ifcla.net
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JUSTICE FOR TOMATO PICKERS
Sojourners is supporting the CIW campaign
Tell Burger King: "Farm workers deserve fair wages"
Farm workers who pick tomatoes for Burger King's sandwiches earn 40 to 50 cents for every 32-pound bucket of tomatoes they pick, a rate that has not risen significantly in nearly 30 years. Workers who toil from dawn to dusk must pick two tons of tomatoes to earn $50 in one day.
Worse yet, modern-day slavery has reemerged in Florida's fields; since 1997, the U.S. Department of Justice has prosecuted five slavery rings, freeing more than 1,000 workers. As a major buyer of Florida tomatoes, Burger King's purchasing practices place downward pressure on farm worker wages and put corporate profits before human dignity.
Last year, Sojourners supporters like you sent over 25,000 letters in support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW) campaign to urge McDonald's to do right by Florida farm workers.
Together, we helped to win an important victory, as McDonald's recently committed to work with the CIW to improve wages and enforce a code of conduct for conditions in the fields. And YUM! Brands, corporate parent to such chains as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut, has made the same commitment.
But Burger King -- the second-largest hamburger chain in the world -- has so far refused to work with farm workers and heed the call of the faith community to improve wages and working conditions for those who pick their tomatoes.
Burger King is able to pool the buying power of thousands of restaurants to extract the lowest possible tomato prices from its suppliers. But these artificially cheap tomatoes come at a high cost for farm workers.
Tell Burger King to clean up its act and ensure fair wages for farm workers.
As people of faith, we believe all workers have the right to a safe and productive work environment, including a wage that allows them to support their families with dignity:
"Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." (James 5:4)
Send a letter to Burger King CEO John Chidsey to call on Burger King to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to ensure fair wages and human rights for farm workers in its tomato supply chain:
http://go.sojo.net/campaign/burgerking/8uedxbrzdnd6i8?
Thank you for taking action in solidarity with Florida farm workers.
Blessings,
Yonce, Amy, Bob, Kim, and the rest of the team at Sojourners/Call to Renewal
P.S. Can you forward this message to five of your friends or family, asking them to join you in sending a message to Burger King?
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