1. Dance Fund Raiser In San Diego
2. Humanitarian aid
3. Binational week for peace and justice
4. Events
5. Testimony wanted
6. Testimonios pedidos - espanol
7. Outreach letter
Dance Fund Raiser in San Diego
Friday, Feb. 20
1845 hancock Street
$8 advance / $10 door
7pm til midnight
information 619.232.2841
Chiapas School Construction Teams Update - Monthly
Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998
1. School Construction Fund Raising Advances
After our efforts for construction were blocked by military pressure
during
the New Year's holiday, we have intensified efforts to sell school
bonds in
San Diego and elsewhere. The five dollar bonds are selling well
and we
again urge everyone to let us send you several packets of bonds.
We are seeking skilled construction workers who could travel to Chiapas
in
the near future. The next full construction team (now special
skills
required) is scheduled for the second week in April. School construction
applications are now available and the deadline for the April school
construction team is March 10, 1998.
2. Humanitarian Aid
Having seen the horror of the refugee camps in Chenalo, we are strongly
committed to sending additional aid as quickly as possible. To
that end we
have entered into discussions with several organizations about shipping
medicines in the near future.
In addition we are organizing an "Emergency Human Rights Delegation"
from
Feb. 21 to Feb. 26 in order to deliver these medicines and discuss
how we
can continue help. Suggestions for participants in the delegation
are
welcome.
3. Tijuana / San Diego Binational Week for Peace with Justice in Chiapas
Feb. 15, 1998
to Feb. 22, 1998
It's coming!
It's going to happen!
You might not see it on your evening TV - but it's still important!
It's going to be very big and very exciting and we will you give
full
details in next week's update (note: only those who have subscribed
to
"Mayan Pen pals" will get the full update.
4. Four San Diego Chiapas Events - more to come in conjunction
with the
Binational week for peace with justice in Chiapas
Big Kitchen Fun Raising Dinner - Grape Street @ 30th.
Wed., Feb. 4, 1998 6 pm - 9 pm
Suggested Donation: $10 - $1000
Bob Marley Concert - Sports Arena
Monday, Feb. 16, 1998 - SOLD OUT ! ! !
You'll have to see this to believe it - 12,000 mostly young people
for
peace in Chiapas!
World Affairs Council - location to be announced
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998 - Free
"Insurrection in Mexico?"
Baile / Dance Zapatista - 1845HancockSt@Evolver.formerly.Showcase/Worldbeat/
Friday, Feb. 20, 1998 - Suggested Donation $10.00
Tijuana NO!, Azlan Underground, many more ! !
5. Vermont requests specific information of Mexicopeace
[TRADUCCION AL CASTELLANO AL FINAL]
REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE OF U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN CHIAPAS
Dear Chiapas School Construction Teams,
The purpose of this letter is to inform human rights workers in Chiapas
who
are meeting with and taking testimony from victims of abuse at the
hands of
the various "security forces" of Mexico what information would be needed
to
put a law into effect that would stop the flow of United States military
aid.
Many of us in the state of Vermont (USA) have been outraged and saddened
by
the gross violations of human rights in Chiapas. We strongly believe
the
flow of arms, equipment, intelligence, and military advisers from the
United
States to Mexico must stop.
We have contacted our elected officials in Washington DC to press them
to
cease such aid. One of our senators, Senator Patrick Leahy, authored
and
passed a law in the Appropriations Act that would provide a legal basis
for
stopping at least some of the equipment and money being sent from the
United
States government to the Mexican government.
The law, Section 570 of the Appropriations Act, states in part, "None
of the
funds made available by this Act may be provided to any unit of the
security
forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible
evidence
that such unit has committed gross violations of human rights."
This means aid to the entire Mexican "security forces" (military, police,
etc.) cannot be cut for the human rights violations of a single branch
of
the security forces, but aid to the offending branch can be cut by
implementing this law. Even though this law has its limitations, it
is
apparently all we have.
We have discussed the matter with Senator Leahy's aid for foreign relations,
Tim Rieser, and he has indicated that having authored the law, Senator
Leahy
would be ready to present a case to Secretary of State Madeline Albright
for
putting this law into effect--if we can provide him with credible evidence
that is specific enough. At present they don?t have the evidence.
Since this law would cut funds only to the particular "security force"
involved in the crime, it would be important for human rights workers
to
determine the name of the security force or unit involved. The information
on the abuse would have to be specific enough and creditable enough
for the
United States State Department to make a ruling.
The people at Senator Leahy?s office have also indicated that they would
be
"very interested" in any evidence of weapons or equipment originating
in the
United States being used in human rights abuses. That evidence, either
through testimony or photographs, could be used to stop private sales
of
weapons from the United States to Mexico.
As Vermonters, we are in the position of having access and influence
with
those who wrote this law and would be the ones pushing for its
implementation. If your organization collects any testimony or evidence
that
is specific and verifiable enough, please send us the evidence or contact
us
so we can present the evidence to our elected officials and pressure
them to
stop the flow of weapons and military training to Mexico. Leahy?s law
is
currently being used for the first time to cut funds to Columbia, where
the
military was involved in massacres very similar to the one in Acteal.
You may also telephone or e-mail Senator Leahy's aid Tim Rieser directly,
though if you contact us, we will apply what public pressure we can
as
constituents make sure Leahy's law is put into effect in Chiapas.
You can contact us at:
e-mail: afscvt@plainfield.bypass.com
American Friends Service Committee in Vermont
73 Main Street, Box 19
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
USA
Tel. (802) 229-2340
If you would like to contact Senator Leahy's aid Tim Rieser:
e-mail: Tim_Rieser@appro.senate.gov
Tim Rieser: Tel. (202) 224-7284
Thank you very much and we look forward to hearing from you,
The Vermont Chiapas Action Network (VCAN)
The American Friends Service Committee in Vermont (AFSCVT)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PETICION: EVIDENCIA DE INTERVENCION NORTEAMERICANA EN CHIAPAS REQUERIDA
Estimada Chiapas School Construction Teams:
Esta carta está dirigida a los trabajadores por los derechos
humanos en
Chiapas, quienes están reuniéndose y obteniendo testimonios
de las víctimas
del abuso de diferentes "fuerzas de seguridad" mexicanas, para inquirir
sobre qué información sería necesaria para efectuar
una ley que pusiese fin
a la ayuda militar estadounidense.
Muchos de nosotros en el estado de Vermont (Estados Unidos) nos sentimos
ultrajados y tristes por las graves violaciones de los derechos humanos
en
Chiapas. Es nuestra fuerte convicción de que el flujo de armas,
equipos,
inteligencia, y asesores militares de los Estados Unidos a México
debe
terminarse.
Hemos contactado a nuestros representantes politicos en Washington,
DC, para
presionarles para que cesen tal ayuda. Uno de nuestros senadores,
Patrick
Leahy, redactó, y logró la aprobación como parte
del "Appropriations Act"
(Acto de Apropriaciones), de una ley que proveería una base
legal para
terminar por lo menos una parte del envío del material y los
fondos enviados
por el gobierno estadunidense al gobierno mexicano.
La ley, Sección 570 del "Appropriations Act," dice en parte,
"Ninguno de los
fondos hechos disponibles por este Acta pueden ser provistos a ninguna
unidad de las fuerzas de seguridad de un país extranjero si
el Secretario
del Estado tiene evidencia creíble de que tal unidad ha cometido
graves
violaciones de los derechos humanos."
Esto quiere decir que la ayuda a las "fuerzas de seguridad" mexicanas
en su
conjunto (militares, policíacas, etc.), no puede ser cortada
por las
violaciones de los derechos humanos cometidas por una sola rama de
las
fuerzas de seguridad, pero la ayuda a la rama ofensora sí puede
ser cortada,
por la implementación de esta ley. Aunque esta ley tiene sus
limitaciones,
parece ser todo lo que tenemos por ahora.
Hemos discutido el asunto con el asistente en relaciones extranjeras
del
Senador Leahy, Tim Rieser, y él nos ha indicado que, por haber
redactado
esta ley, el Senador Leahy estaría dispuesto a presentar un
caso a la
Secretaria del Estado, Madeline Albright, para poner en efecto
la ley--si
nosotros podemos proveerle con evidencia creíble que sea lo
suficientemente
específica. Actualmente, no tienen la evidencia.
Puesto que esta ley cortaría sólo los fondos destinados
a la "fuerza de
seguridad" específica involucrada en el crimen, sería
importante que los
trabajadores por los derechos humanos determinaran el nombre de la
fuerza de
seguridad o unidad involucrada. La información sobre el abuso
tendría que
ser suficientemente específica y documentada suficientemente
para que el
Departamento del Estado de los Estados Unidos falle sobre el tema.
La gente en la oficina del Senador Leahy también nos ha indicado
que estaría
"muy interesada" en cualquier evidencia de armas o equipos de origen
estadounidense que haya sido usado en los abusos de derechos humanos.
Esa
evidencia, por vía de testimonios o por fotografías,
podría ser utilizada
para terminar las ventas privadas de armas de los Estados Unidos a
México.
Como residentes de Vermont, tenemos acceso e influencia con la gente
que
escribió esta ley, y que serían los que estarían
luchando por su
implementación. Si su organización obtiene cualquier
testimonio o evidencia
que sea suficientemente específica y verificable, por favor
envíenosla, o
póngase en contacto con nosotros, para que podamos presentar
tal evidencia a
nuestros representantes políticos, y presionarlos para que terminen
el flujo
de armas y entrenamiento militar a México. Actualmente, la ley
de Leahy está
siendo utilizada por primera vez para cortar fondos a Colombia, donde
las
fuerzas militares fueron involucradas en masacres muy similares a la
de Acteal.
Es posible también comunicarse directamente, por teléfono
o correo
electrónico, con el asistente del Senador Leahy, Tim Rieser;
pero en caso de
comunicarse con nosotros, publicamente aplicaremos presion, como sus
electores, para asegurar que la ley de Leahy sea aplicada en Chiapas.
Puede ponerse en contacto con nosotros al:
Correo electrónico: afscvt@plainfield.bypass.com
Dirección postal:
American Friends Service Committee in Vermont
73 Main Street, Box 19
Montpelier, Vermont 05602
USA
Teléfono: (802) 229-2340
Puede ponerse en contacto con la oficina del Senador Leahy al:
Tim Rieser (asistente al Senador Leahy): tel. (202) 224-7284
Correo electrónico: Tim_Rieser@appro.senate.gov
Muchas gracias. Esperamos con anticipación su comunicación.
Atentamente,
The Vermont Chiapas Action Network (VCAN) ("La Red de Acción
por Chiapas de
Vermont")
The American Friends Service Committee in Vermont (AFSCVT) ("Comité
de
Servicio de los Amigos Americanos en Vermont")
6. Jan. 25, 1998 out reach letter
Chanobjunetik ta Chiapas Jkoltavanejetik ta Smeltzanel
Chiapas Schools Construction Teams
3909 Centre Street #B San
Diego, CA 92103
(619) 232-2841 FAX(619)
232-0500
<schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org> http://www.mexicopeace.org
Jan. 25, 1997
Dear Friends,
After two trips to southern Mexico in the last three weeks, I am writing
to
ask your immediate help in stopping the brutal war unfolding in Chiapas,
MEXICO. Your financial support at this moment is literally a
matter of
life and death.
Like the rest of world I was shocked when I learned of the massacre
of 21
women, 15 children and 5 men in Acteal, Chiapas on Dec. 22, 1997.
Like
everyone at the Chiapas Schools Construction Team I immediately
understood
that if those children had lived, some would have been students at
the
junior high school we are helping to build in the civilian Zapatista
center
of Oventic Aguascalientes II.
However because I was preparing to lead over 150 school construction
volunteers to Chiapas , news of this new outrage raised serious questions;
Should we cancel the trip? What would we find? After careful
investigation, on Dec. 27, 1997 four buses accompanied by several trucks
packed with donated food and medical supplies left Mexico City bound
for
Chiapas.
What we found - and what these dozens of volunteers experienced - was
far
more shocking than any of us could have predicted!
"We are not going to respond to these provocations," insisted Oventic
community leader Carlos at dawn as 200 Oventic residents and 130 school
construction volunteers sat shivering high in the mountains after having
run from advancing Mexican troops during the previous night.
The patience
of the Mayans is impressive and our hosts always insisted they would
honor
the cease fire and that the Mexican government must honor the peace
accords
of San Andres which were signed in 1996 but never implemented.
As you read this letter federal Mexican troops armed with U.S. weapons
continue to push into hundreds of unarmed indigenous communities, protected
by U.S. made helicopters they continue to occupy and foul the only
water
supplies for remote villages, continue to cooperate with paramilitary
groups, continue to live and work in the public schools, and continue
to do
everything possible to provoke an armed response from the Zapatista
rebels.
After delivering tons of food and medicines to the autonomous community
of
Polho where over 8000 displaced Indians are living under makeshift
tents of
plastic sheeting, we listened to five hours of heartrending testimony
delivered in Tzotzil and translated into Spanish. There we learned
that
the well publicized massacre at Acteal was actually nothing new; over
300
indigenous people have died during the last six months. In many
communities of Chiapas the homes of every Mayan family not belonging
to the
ruling party have been burned to the ground.
"For observers in Chiapas like yourselves, it is very dangerous that
- in a
search for a solution to the immediate violence - you will forget to
examine the root causes," was Bishop Samuel Ruiz' warning to the Emergency
Delegation for Peace in Mexico which immediately followed the school
volunteers trip. "We must never allow ourselves to lose sight of these
root
causes."
When we lit candles on the graves at Acteal, returned transcriptions
of
those oral testimonies to Polho (also available at our office), or
visited
Oventic and learned that the community had again retreated to the high
mountains in terror of military attack - our emergency delegation of
religious and educational leaders longed for an end to the violence.
However, our years of careful work for peace with justice in Chiapas
-
including the construction of four classrooms in Oventic - allows us
to
grasp the profundity of Bishop Ruiz' warning.
Due to the current crisis, we have hired our first office manager
(half-time), held numerous press conferences and briefings, dramatically
increased our production and distribution of popular literature (see
the
enclosed flyer), begun congressional outreach, scheduled a number of
public
and house meeting, continued to work for humanitarian aid, updated
our WEB
page, extended email outreach, and scheduled additional emergency trips
to
Chiapas. International delegations like the two we have just
organized are
extraordinarily expensive and draining.
Won't you please consider making a donation at this critical moment?
Your
support will allow us to continue to promote schools and education
-
instead of violence and troops.
Por y para los niños,
Peter Brown, Director
Chiapas Schools Construction Teams
Chanobjunetik ta Chiapas Jkoltavanejetik ta Smeltzanel
ps. In addition to the immediate need for donations, we ask that
you let
us send you one or two packets of school construction bonds.
These five
dollar bonds allow you to discuss the situation in Chiapas with your
family
and friends and 100% of the money from bond sales goes to the school;
in
addition, we are now investigating filing a class action suit on behalf
of
all bond holders in order to protect the school.
8. Coupon to send funds (you can just email this and send the
cash by
snail mail)
YES! I'll help promote schools not violence in Chiapas! Here's
my donation
support your ongoing efforts. Circle
one: $25 $50 $85
$125 $500
Other $___
YES! I send $ ____ every month to support your effort.
YES! I'd like to sell bonds, sponsor a house meeting, or volunteer
in the
office.
____________________________________________
Name
Phones
____________________________________________
Address
Zip
E-mail
Checks should be made out to Grass Roots Events, a tax exempt California
corporation.
Chiapas School Construction Teams / San Diegans for Peace in Mexico
3909 Centre Street #B, San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 232-2841
FAX(619)
232-0500 <schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org>
*****************************************************
*****************************************************
You now receive about one message a month about schools in Chiapas.
If you
do not wish to receive additional information about schools in Chiapas,
please send the following message to schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org:
unsubscribe mexicopeace <your address>
If you would like to receive regular updates about the Junior High School
at Oventic Aguascalientes II at the rate of two three messages
every month
please send the following message to schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org:
subscribe Maya pen pals <your address>
*************************************************************
Chiapas Schools Construction Teams
Chanobjunetik ta Chiapas Jkoltavanejetik ta Smeltzanel
Equipos de construcción para escuelas en Chiapas
New office hours - join us!
Monday - Thursday
6pm - 9 pm
Saturday
9 am - 3 pm
Craftsmen's Hall AFL-CIO
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 232-2841
FAX (619) 232-0500
<schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org> http://www.mexicopeace.org
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Chiapas Schools Construction Teams Update
Jan. 22, 1998
I. Emergency School Construction Team
Several teams now forming. Rural living under rustic conditions
with focus
on advancing the construction of the first autonomous junior high school
in
Chiapas. Previous Chiapas or Central American experience helpful.
Electronic application available.
II. Emergency Human Rights Delegation
Tentative dates are Feb. 15 - 20, 1998. Short term observation
of schools,
military presence, living conditions of displaced people, autonomous
governments, and humanitarian aid organizations. Previous delegation
experience helpful. Call 619-232-2841.
III. School Construction Bond Sales
Help raise money for the first autonomous, junior high school in Chiapas
by
selling five dollar bonds to your friends and family. Reply
<schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org>
IV. Photo and Weaving Show
Twenty-five powerful photos and twenty-five weavings which tell the
story
of Chiapas and the desire of the indigenous for peace with justice
and
dignity. Available for one month showing at community or school
locations.
*****************************************************
*****************************************************
You now receive regular updates about the Junior High School at Oventic
Aguascalientes II at the rate of two three messages every month.
If you
would rather receive only one message a month about schools in Chiapas,
please send the following message to schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org:
subscribe mexicopeace <your address>
If you do not wish to receive additional information about schools in
Chiapas, please send the following message to schoolsforchiapas@mexicopeace.org:
unsubscribe mexicopeace <your address>
*************************************************************
Chiapas Schools Construction Teams
Chanobjunetik ta Chiapas Jkoltavanejetik ta Smeltzanel
Equipos de construcción para escuelas en Chiapas
Craftsmen's Hall AFL-CIO
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA 92103
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from
the Chiapas School Construction Teams, signup for our pen pal mailing
list.
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