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Archives: January 2008
Decline to Sign...Think before you ink Campaign
Learn about the banning of affirmative action in Missouri.
Community Meeting on Monday, Feb. 4, 5:30-7:00pm at the 100 Black Men Headquarters, 4631 Delmar, St. Louis 63108.
Volunteer on Feb. 5
Help educate Missouri voters on February 5th about the real purpose of Ward Connerly’s anti-diversity ballot initiative. We won’t let out-of-towners mess with the Missouri Constitution and this is the best time to reduce their signature production effort by 50% or more. JOIN US!!!
Trainings:
Thursdays from 6pm – 8pm
At Epiphany United Church of Christ
2911 McNair, South St Louis City, 63118
Saturdays from 10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm; Sunday 10am – 12pm; Monday 10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm
At Teamsters Local 688
4349 Woodson Road, North St Louis County, 63134
Please RSVP your attendance by calling the WE CAN hotline at 877-644-0466.
Trainings are organized by Jobs with Justice and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in cooperation with the statewide coalition to protect affirmative action – Working to Empower Community Action Now (WE CAN)
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IMMIGRATION: AgJOBS
Immigration reform is in the news. In President Bush’s Tuesday night State of the Union Address he said, "America's immigration system is also outdated -- unsuited to the needs of our economy and to the values of our country. We should not be content with laws that punish hardworking people who want only to provide for their families, and deny businesses willing workers?”
Those are pretty words, but it’s time for more than words...we’ve had words for years. It’s time for action.
Farm workers' daily labor feeds this nation--doing the hardest, most difficult jobs that others won't do. They often live in fear because many employers use the threat of deportation to ensure their silence.
AgJOBS is a bipartisan earned legalization program that was negotiated by the United Farm Workers and the agricultural industry. AgJOBS is a responsible solution. It is a compromise that was painstakingly worked out. It is critically important because it would provide America with a stable farm labor force and help ensure that farm workers are treated fairly.
Pres. Candidates Sens. McCain, Clinton and Obama all support the speedy passage of agjobs. They and many other politicians agree the status quo is not acceptable. It’s time to end this cycle of oppression.
Help farm workers come out of the shadows, earn the right to apply for legal status, and continue to work in agriculture. Send your e-mail today to the White House, Senate Leader Reid, Speaker Pelosi and your Senators and ask them to do everything in their power to pass AgJOBS this year.
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IMMIGRATION
Many of these bills duplicate or contradict state or federal law ... Nevertheless, this is what's up in Missouri so far this session.
PUBLIC HEARING COMPLETED, NOT ON CALENDAR:
HB 1757 Requires any employer convicted of hiring illegal aliens to repay double the value of any state-administered or subsidized tax credit, tax abatement, or loan.
HB 1654 Requires certain detained juveniles to be reported to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement if there is probable cause to believe that they are illegal aliens.
WITHDRAWN
HB 1657 Requires suspected illegals who cannot prove their legal status who appear in court for any state law or municipal ordinance violation to be held in jail until they are reported to federal authorities.
from a local immigration lawyer: Please note: HB1767 purports to require that “suspected illegals [the bill’s sponsor’s word, not mine] who cannot prove their legal status who appear in court for any state law or municipal ordinance violation to be held in jail until they are reported to federal authorities”
Luckily this bill was withdrawn today. However this gives you an idea of what we are up against. Presumably this would have eliminated any opportunity for bond and would have authorized indefinite internment for anyone identified at the whim of local authorities. It also appears that it would have set no standard to determine who is subject to such internment so presumably anyone with a Hispanic or foreign sounding last name would have been interned. It also assumed to the state and local law enforcement the authority to enforce immigration law without any 287(g) Memorandum of Agreement in place. Finally, it would have served to punish all those undocumented individuals who do the right thing and appear in court to dispose of municipal and state law traffic and other offences. Accordingly, it would have effectively forced undocumented persons into warrant status. This proposed legislation would have only served to harm legitimate law enforcement goals.
Again, this is the kind of thing we are up against. It is important to let all our supporters and the people who serve the immigrant community know the kind legislation being proposed and pushed Jefferson City and what individual members of the House are pushing this legislation. Obviously legislation like HB1767 goes way beyond the pale of reasonableness or constitutionality.
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FMLN Commemorates the Sixteenth Anniversary of the Salvadoran Peace Accords
On January 16 the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) held a series of events to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the signing of the 1992 Peace Accords, which ended 12 years of civil war in El Salvador. The FMLN called for public reflection about the process of constructing peace in El Salvador. An official event took place at the Cristo por la Paz Monument in the outskirts of San Salvador and included the participation of FMLN leaders and base committees, religious leaders, social movement organizations, and the general public.
Medardo González, General Coordinator of the FMLN, opened the event by talking about the lack of political will within the government and the ruling ARENA party to further contribute to the peace process in El Salvador. In a separate event, the Salvadoran Human Rights Commission (CIDH) and other human rights and religious groups accused the ARENA government of not following through with commitments made in the Peace Accords, including the recognition of basic human rights and assistance to families that were victims of the armed conflict. At the same time, these organizations asserted that, 16 years after signing the Peace Accords, “the acts of repression against people and communities continue, as those who organize activities which fall within their constitutional rights are attacked, tortured, and face increasing violence.” According to Ana Julia Escalante of the CIDH, the number of assassinations in 2007 shows that “institutionalized mobs and organized crime continue to operate with impunity, demonstrating the failure of the political and judicial system.”
The ARENA party refused to commemorate the signing of the Peace Accords, perhaps because its biggest priority continues to be the search for a presidential candidate. In recent weeks, various members of the president’s cabinet and heads of other important government institutions have resigned from their positions in order to participate in ARENA’s internal competition for the candidacy. The ex-Foreign Affairs Minister, Francisco Lainez, was the first ARENA functionary to resign, and ARENA stalwart Hugo Barrera has also joined the field. The current Vice President, Ana Vilma de Escobar, is unable to resign her position but has also insisted on competing for the ARENA candidacy.
At the FMLN’s commemoration event, the party’s candidate for the presidency, Mauricio Funes, reflected on the fact that ARENA has virtually abandoned the everyday work of governing to immerse itself in the internal battle of choosing a candidate. Funes also took advantage of the moment to publicly declare his support for Dr. Violeta Menjivar’s re-election as the mayor of San Salvador, the largest city in the country. Funes’ support comes on the heels of the enthusiastic approval of various communities, social organizations (such as the informal market vendors movement), and FMLN base committees that recently submitted letters of support for the work of San Salvador’s first woman mayor. The letters of support were given to the FMLN’s Political Commission and National Council, which promptly ratified the candidacy of Menjivar for re-election in January 2009.
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CPT Colombia´s 2007 Human Rights Report Released
Christian Peacemaker Teams in Colombia released their compilation of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights witnessed by or reported to them in the calendar year of 2007. The report includes violations of civilian spaces, threats, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings committed by state and illegal armed actors in regions of Colombia where CPT has been present. “This report provides individuals and organizations watching the Colombia situation with concise examples of the violations which continue to impact Colombian civilians,” stated Erin Kindy. “We hope our work can add to the resources the US and Canadian embassies use in their reports to their respective governments regarding the conflict situation in Colombia,” added Michele Braley.
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SOA NEWS: SOA Grads Implicated in Bogota Bombings in 2006
A director of Colombian military intelligence and another officer implicated in a series of false attacks and a bombing that killed a civilian and injured 19 soldiers in Bogotá in 2006, attended the US Army School of the Americas, an examination of records shows.
The Colombian Public Ministry is investigating Colonel Horacio Arbelaez, former director of the Army’s Joint Intelligence Center; Major Javier Efrén Hermida Benavides; and Captain Luis Eduardo Barrero for orchestrating placement of bombs in a Bogota shopping mall and other sites in July 2006, on the eve of President Uribe’s inauguration for his second term. At the time of the bombing and false attacks, they were attributed to guerrillas of the FARC. In most cases, the bombs were not detonated, but were denounced by the accused officers and deactivated to demonstrate the FARC threat and show military intelligence was doing its work.
A director of Colombian military intelligence and another officer implicated in a series of false attacks and a bombing that killed a civilian and injured 19 soldiers in Bogotá in 2006, attended the US Army School of the Americas, an examination of records shows.
The Colombian Public Ministry is investigating Colonel Horacio Arbelaez, former director of the Army’s Joint Intelligence Center; Major Javier Efrén Hermida Benavides; and Captain Luis Eduardo Barrero for orchestrating placement of bombs in a Bogota shopping mall and other sites in July 2006, on the eve of President Uribe’s inauguration for his second term. At the time of the bombing and false attacks, they were attributed to guerrillas of the FARC. In most cases, the bombs were not detonated, but were denounced by the accused officers and deactivated to demonstrate the FARC threat and show military intelligence was doing its work.
Hermida took two courses at the School of the Americas, including a three-month military intelligence intensive in 2000, while Arbelaez took an infantry course at the School in 1981. A statistical study by sociologist Katherine McCoy found that the more courses Latin American officers took at the School, the more likely they were to commit abuses. (Latin American Perspectives, 2005, http://lap.sagepub.com )
In addition, the Army Joint Intelligence Center that Arbelaez directed receives US aid, according to a State Department list of units vetted to receive assistance.
The officers reportedly collaborated with a FARC deserter on placing the bombs, according to tapes, videos and documents. Hermida, who claims his innocence, told a Colombian radio station that the operation at the shopping mall was carried out with knowledge of high military officials.
Hermida and Barrero also face criminal charges for the false attacks, five of which had been united into one case by the Prosecutor General’s office.
Arbelaez, who is now Colombia’s defense attaché in Israel, was previously head of intelligence for the Army’s 18th Brigade. That brigade, based in oil-rich Arauca state, has received extensive assistance and in-country training from US Special Forces.
Press reports identified Hermida and Barrero as belonging to the Army’s 13th Brigade part of which receives US assistance, as well as to a regional military intelligence center that also receives US aid.
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From CISPES: FMLN mayor assassinated in Usulután
Wilber Moises Funes, mayor of Alegria, Usulután, was assassinated on January 9 while visiting community projects in the Las Casistas area of his municipality. A member of the FMLN opposition party, Funes was shot along with municipal staff member Zulma Rivera. Rivera was killed immediately, while Funes died in transit to a hospital in Santiago de Maria. Wilber Funes, one of the youngest mayors in the country, was dedicated to creating projects for the benefit of the poorest communities in his area while defending the interest of public services still owned by the municipality. The FMLN and civil society organizations denounced the killing and demanded that Salvadoran Attorney General Felix Garrid Safie authorize an immediate, independent, and objective investigation into the assassinations.
Incidentally, Funes’ government in Alegria was the victim of a privatization scheme following its election in 2006. Immediately before leaving office, the preceding municipal administration, from the right-wing ARENA party, handed over the Laguna Alegria Natural Park to a community development association called ADESCAM. The privatization of this valuable resource was part of a broader ARENA strategy to leave newly-elected FMLN municipal governments without the resources to function. (See previous CISPES update at www.cispes.org)
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Plan Mexico Unveiled
Meanwhile, the Bush Administration has just asked Congress to fund $1.4 billion over the next 2-3 years for Mexico’s military and police. Although this “Merida Initiative” is being presented as an anti-narcotics strategy, just 3% of the monies would be for drug demand reduction. Much of the money is for transport helicopters and hi-tech scanning equipment for customs agencies and federal police. Mexico plans to match the U.S.’s $1.4 billion with $7 billion of its own—making this an $8.4 billion program!
Giving more ammunition to Mexico’s security forces while human rights abuses committed by military and police are already on the rise is a dangerous prospect.
Background:
Following months of rumors and media speculation on both sides of the border, President Bush announced in late October that he would be sending a sizeable counternarcotics and organized crime aid package to Congress. The package's stated intention is to combat the escalating violence associated with drug trafficking and organized crime with $500 million in aid to Mexico and $50 million to Central America. Popularly dubbed "Plan Mexico", this proposed plan piqued our attention as LAWG, along with countless grassroots activists, have long expressed strong concerns regarding past U.S. counternarcotics aid efforts that have compromised human rights, such as Plan Colombia.
Plan Mexico (also known as the Merida Initiative) was developed behind closed doors so many specifics remain unclear. However, we wanted to send you this (below) article that we have written for an upcoming edition of LAWG's publication, "The Advocate". (see below) The article outlines what we know about the package as well as our initial concerns regarding the human rights implications of the plan. Although there is currently no specific point of action, we invite you to share our concern as we monitor the issue. As details are released in the coming weeks and months we will post updates and send action alerts as needed. With your help we can work to promote programs that strengthen rule of law and protect human rights.
Best,
Jenny & Ellen
Latin America Working Group
www.lawg.org
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Citizens Not Terrorists! January 14-18 Week of Action with the Suchitoto 13
Thirteen of the individuals detained during the July 2, 2007 water privatization protests in Suchitoto, El Salvador expect their evidentiary hearing to take place over the next few weeks--Judge Ana Puentes has given the prosecution until Friday, February 8, 2008 to present the case.
At the hearing, the judge will determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to send the thirteen to trial under terrorism charges. The penalty for acts of terrorism may be a sentence of 40-60 years in prison. The judge also has the option to send the case to the regional court system under a lesser charge or to drop the charges completely due to lack of evidence.
Salvadoran civil society needs your help to ensure that their government knows that the international community is watching the outcome of the hearing. Notably, January 16, 2008 marks the 16th anninversary of the Peace Accords and the official end of El Salvador's twelve year conflict--consider making this day your day of action! Please join communities around the U.S. and El Salvador during the Week of Action and participate in the following ways:
Write a letter to President Saca and other government officials expressing your concern. Even better, spread the word and recruit your community members, churches, schools, and allies to write a letter, too. Copy your Members of Congress so that they are kept abreast of the case. (See model letter below.)
Call the State Department to ask if the U.S. Embassy has communicated its concerns to the government of El Salvador. (See model script below.)
Circulate a petition that encourages your U.S. Senators to communicate their concerns to the State Department and the government of El Salvador. (Click here for petition: be sure to alter the date.)
Gather to Vigil in a public place, such as at a Salvadoran Consulate or your community's town hall, to stand witness for the Suchitoto 13. Share the petition and information with passers-by, call the press, and take photos to send to your sisters in El Salvador. It is expected that there will be activities in Seattle, Chicago, and Washington, DC--add your hometown to the list or attend one of the planned gatherings.
If you are unable to write letters, make calls, circulate petitions, or witness publicly during the Week or Action itself, IT IS NOT TOO LATE! All actions are needed until the day of the hearing, which is expected by February 8, 2008.
(see previous action alerts in archives to read background on the Suchitoto 13)
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January 27-28, 2008 - Festival of Hope and SOAW 11 Trials
January 27-28, 2008 - Festival of Hope and SOAW 11 Trials
Throughout the weekend of January 27-28 Columbus, Georgia will once again become the meeting place for human rights activists from around the country. Families, friends and supporters will travel thousands of miles to accompany and share with the eleven SOA Watch activists who during the November 16-18, 2007 Vigil to Close the SOA decided to carry their protest to close the School of the Americas onto the Fort Benning Military Reservation.
Joanne Anderson, Ozone Bhaguan, Le Anne Clausen, Elizabeth Klancher, Art Landis, Ed Lewinson, Chris Lieberman, Diane Lopez Hughes, Tiel Rainelli, Gus Roddy and Stephen Schweitzer will be facing federal criminal trial on Monday, January 28th for trespass - punishable up to six months in federal prison.
Please join us on the weekend of January 27-28 to share with the SOAW 11 for the Sunday, January 27 - Festival of Hope and Monday, January 28 - Trial in Columbus, GA. This is a time to meet with members of the SOA Watch movement from around the country and join in community to celebrate the action of the SOA Watch 11.
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COLOMBIA: changes in aid policy signed into law on Dec. 26
Many of the changes in aid to Colombia that you contacted your members of Congress about in 2007 became law when the president signed the all-rolled-into-one spending bill on December 26.
While still very far from the perfect world we dream about, the law makes some positive changes in U.S. aid and policy towards Colombia. The bill:
cuts military and police aid in the foreign operations bill by $141.5 million below what the President asked for, a 31 percent cut.
increases economic and social aid by $97.4 million, a 70 percent increase.
includes aid that we called for to strengthen human rights and protect victims of violence, including funding for investigation and prosecution of human rights abuses; witness protection for victims; investigation of mass graves; funding for legal representation of victims; and contributions to the UN Human Rights office in Colombia.
cuts aid for the inhumane and environmentally damaging aerial spraying program, and increases aid for alternative development programs.
ties the human rights conditions to 30%, not just 25%, of military aid in the foreign operations bill.
includes $15 million for development aid for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities; includes in the human rights conditions that the Army must respect the rights and territories of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities; and restricts investment in oil palm development if it causes people to be displaced or environmental damage.
Click here to see the complete text of legislation:
Click here to read the blog entry by Center for International Policy's Adam Isacson:
What wasn't achieved? Among other things, we were not able to affect funding in the less transparent and less accountable defense bill, which also includes funding for counternarcotics programs, and we would have liked the human rights conditions to apply to all military aid—and for more military and aerial spraying funding to be cut.
But this is a real step forward, only possible with all of your actions in support of peace and human rights in Colombia.
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Bolivia and the World Bank
Last May, the government of Bolivia took a bold step towards challenging the excessive and anti-democratic powers of global corporations by withdrawing from the World Bank’s investment arbitration court. That court is now refusing to respect the Bolivian government’s actions and allowing an egregious case brought by a European telecommunications company to proceed..
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