News, Letters, Reports
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Delegations and Related Activities
Friday, October 23 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Potluck Dinner, Panel Discussion, Roots of Migration [documentary film] , based on 2009 Witness for Peace delegation to Oaxaca, Mexico
14 Sep 2009: Very Special Event Sep 20 in Carborro PDF September 20, 2009, Sunday, 5:00-6:30 at CHICLE, Talk and video, Witness for Peace 2009 Trip to Mexico
and The Roots of Migration with Ajamu Dillahunt (NC Justice Center), Gail Phares (Witness for Peace), Irene Godínez (El Pueblo), and filmmaker Mikel Barton.
Words of wisdom from the teens, following their visit to Ramon Garcia, Matagalpa, Nicaragua, July 2009
Report on July 2009 Teen Delegation to Nicaragua led by Gail Phares
11 July 2009: Opportunities Join Witness for Peace Southeast for exciting and interesting activities. October 3-25 we will host Eddy Gutierrez a Nicaraguan who represents small-scale producers in Jalapa. He will tour VA from Oct 3-8th, NC from October 9-15 and then on to SC from Oct. 15-19th and KY from Oct 20-25th.
Come to the Witness for Peace SE organizer's retreat October 9 and 10th out a Camp New Hope near Chapel Hill. Marino Cordoba will tell us how free trade impacts Afro Colombians, Eddy Gutierrez - a Nicaraguan Cooperative Leader will tell us how CAFTA impacts small farmers. We will view a video "The Roots of Migration" and stratigize on how to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform with Irene Godinez from El Pueblo. Anne Wolfe will talk about Signs of Hope in Bolivia and the 2009 teen delegation will talk about Nicaragua today. Come for the solidarity and fun. Come to be energized for the work ahead. Sign up by October 1st.
Order an exciting 20 minute video "The Roots of Migration". Email your mailing address and send $10 to Witness for Peace SE, 1105 Sapling Place Raleigh, NC 27615-3440
21 May 2009 Visit to Officials in Washington DC by Mexico Delegation, May 2009
8 May 2009 Witness for Peace Southeast Activities Report Jan-May 2009
20 Mar 2009: "Border Crossings" by Jordan Green, Yes Weekly (Greensboro, NC) Examines the human links and tragedies that bind Oaxaca, Mexico, and North Carolina
28 Feb 2009: Two Reports on Roots of Migration Delegation to Oaxaca, Mexico, 02/09 by Gail Phares
2009 Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace
13 Apr 2009: Report on 2009 Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace A PS: from Matt Emmick "Our work here in Charlotte was very much a communal process. Our commmittee consisted of Lori Fernald Khamala, Stacey Bonilla, Maria del Pilar, Hector Vaca, Rausel from CCIR, Lawana Mayfield, Teodoro Palacios, and Ruben Campillo. I just wanted to make sure everyone was recognized."
13 Apr 2009: Pilgrimage Photos by Rich Cox of St Francis, Raleigh Photos may be downloaded and used as you wish, compliments of Richard Cox Photographics LLC,
Raleigh NC
11 Apr 2009: Way of the Cross calls for changes
By Yonat Shimron Raleigh News and Observer. Christian group's walk publicizes immigration, trade
11 Apr 2009: Listen to Gail Phares, interviewed Thursday, April 09 2009, on "The State of Things" with Frank Stasio
1 Apr 2009: Read a Profile of Gail Phares, written by Peter A. Geniesse PDF
11 Apr 2009: Read of Gail's involvement with Witness for Peace, written by Peter A. Geniesse PDF
Gail Phares "crosses the line" at Ft. Benning/ Imprisonment, 2005
Letter from Gail Phares to Friends, on her impending imprisonment 12 Mar 2006
"I hope my witness helps. . ." Feature article on Gail Phares by Yonat Shimron Raleigh News & Observer, 10 Mar 2006, pp. E1, E4, with 2 photographs.
Celebration of Hope for Gail Phares [PDF] Pot Luck Dinner, Sunday, March 12th, 5:00pm-7:00pm, at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh.
Gail Phares served three months in prison, beginning on April 11, 2006, at a federal prison in Virginia. Read about the trial in this excellent article by Yonat Shimron in the Raleigh News & Observer. (Wed., Feb. 1, 2006, p. 6B) and on the SOAW (School of the Americas Watch) website.
Read the Raleigh News & Observer editorial criticizing the harsh sentence imposed on Phares (3 Feb 2006).
Gail Phares, leading N.C. activist, arrested at protest by Patrick O'Neill, The Independent (Durham, NC), Nov. 23, 2005
Gail Phares arrested for crossing
the line at 2005 SOA Vigil and Protest. School
of the Americas Protest, 2005, A Film by Rebecca
MacNeice The video features an interview with
Gail Phares and shows her crossing the line. See
details below.Out on bail, Gail visited her family
in North Dakota from Dec. 5-12. She has now
returned to Raleigh. Read Gail's statement to the judge in her Jan. 30th trial (PDF)
North Carolina pilgrimage for justice and peace, Central America/Mexico Report, May 2000
Cover story about Gail Phares, The Independent Online, November 28, 2001
Article about Gail Phares by Peter A. Geniesse, The Sojourner, Nov.-Dec. 2003
US Policies & Actions in Latin America
18 Oct 2009: Participate in Witness for Peace efforts to close the School of the Americas
12 Oct (appropriately Columbus Day), 2009: Support Human Rights in Guatemala Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA Sign lettert o the Guatemalan Attorney General calling on authorities to prosecute those responsible for the threats against Norma Cruz and Jesus Tecú, provide protection for the defenders and the staff at the Survivor's Foundation, and allow human rights defenders to continue their important work without fear of reprisals. Gail Phares notes "about ten years ago, I visited Rio Negro, Guatemala and met with the survivors of the Rio Negro massacre including Jesus. Now he is being threatened with death. I urge you to take action and sign the letters."
23 June 2009: Urge your Congressperson to vote YES on the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA)-Lewis (GA) amendment! This amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill would release the names, country of origin, rank and dates of attendance at WHINSEC for graduates and instructors.
11 June 2009: Two Colombian "School of the Americas" Generals Face Charges
24 Apr 2009: Call for a New US Latin American Policy
28 Mar 2009: Watch the Witness for Peace video "Shoveling Water: War on Drugs, War on People" Learn more about the failed war on drugs being waged in Colombia.
16 Mar 2009: Biographical and Contact Information for the six Prisoners of Conscience arrested at Ft. Benning, Nov. 2008 Contact them and show them your support. Albert L. Simmons, Kristin Holm, Luis Barrios, Theresa M. Cusimano, Diane T. Pinchot, Louis Wolf.
8 May 2009: Learn more about and take action against the proposed Panama FTA treaty.
2 Nov 08: Corporations have supported and benefited from violence against trade unionists in Colombia. Join the November protest against Drummond Coal, in conjunction with the SOA protests (above). The corporation has been sued for the alleged hiring of paramilitaries to assassinate three union leaders in 2001 [PDF] • Chiquita Brands was found guilty of having given $1.7 million to paramilitary groups in Colombia’s banana growing region. • Coca-Cola has been sued for allegedly hiring paramilitaries to kill, threaten, torture, and kidnap union members.
13 Mar 08 Request by Latin American Working Group to contact representatives on immigration [PDF]