Dear Friends,
When Jesús Emilio Tuberquia, leader of the San José Peace Community, was in the United States in April, he talked about the systematic attempts by the Colombian State to destroy his community. "They have used every means of violence, and it has occurred under all the presidents" since the community began in 1997, he said.
After some 900 violations against the San José community, including more than 160 murders committed by the army or their paramilitary allies, there have only been convictions in two cases.
Now, your Congressional Representative has a chance to do something about this nearly total impunity of violence against a community pledged to peace. Rep. Hank Johnson from Atlanta has introduced a "Dear Colleague" letter calling on the Colombian Government to create a Justice Evaluation Commission that will investigate why the Colombian State has not produced justice and to investigate the history of violations against the community.
Members of Congress may sign on to this letter until Friday, June 17. Please call your Congressional Representative today (Congressional Switchboard, 202-225-3121), then:
- Ask for the foreign policy staff
- Say that you would like the Congressman/woman to sign on to the Hank Johnson letter on the San José Peace Community in Colombia
- Offer to email the staff person a copy of the letter (you can read the letter here)
- Urge them to contact Sascha Thompson in Hank Johnson's office at 225-1605 (do NOT call Sascha yourself)
- Say you would like to hear back from them
- Leave your phone number
- Then give us a call at 510-295-4347 or send us an email and let us know about your call and what staff told you.
Thanks for acting to support justice for Jesús Emilio and the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó!
--FOR's Colombia Team (Emily, Gina, Isaac, John, Jon, Liza, Sean Martin, Susana) |
