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JOIN DJPC IN A

MARCH TO THE PERUVIAN CONSULATE IN DENVER

(IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE
GRAND NATIONAL MARCH  FOR THE RIGHT TO WATER AND LIFE
TO LIMA, PERU)

*

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012

3:00 – 5:00 PM

MEET AT GARLAND PARK

E. MISSISSIPPI AVENUE & S. LEYDEN STREET

FOR A 3-BLOCK MARCH TO THE CONSULATE

As always, we will follow DJPC’s Guidelines for Nonviolent Activism as listed here:
http://denjustpeace.org/how-we-work/non-violent-activism/nonviolent-activism-guidelines/

___________________________________

VENGA CON DJPC A LA

MARCHA AL CONSULADO PERUANO DE DENVER

(EN SOLIDARIDAD CON LA
GRAN MARCHA NACIONAL DEL AGUA 2012
HACIA LIMA, PERU)

EL VIERNES, 10 DE FEBRERO DE 2012

3:00 – 5:00 PM

COMENZAMOS EN EL PARQUE GARLAND

E. MISSISSIPPI AVENUE & S. LEYDEN STREET

PARA LA MARCHA DE 3 CUADRAS AL CONSULADO

Como siempre, seguimos los Acuerdos de Activismo No-Violento de DJPC que se puede leer aquí:
http://denjustpeace.org/how-we-work/non-violent-activism/nonviolent-activism-guidelines/

--
Denver Justice & Peace Committee
P.O. Box 12403
Denver, Colorado 80212 USA
Tel. 303-623-1463
www.denjustpeace.org

Join DJPC in observing

International Human Rights Day,

Saturday, December 10, 2011
in a non-violent march with Occupy Denver

DJPC will meet as a group at 11:30 AM
at the Civic Center’s outdoor Greek Theatre,
100 W. 14th Avenue (near library & art museum)

We will march with Occupy Denver at 12 noon – 3 PM

Bring you own signs!
Say NO to human rights abuse by banks and corporations!
Say NO to abuse of indigenous rights by mining corporations!
Say YES to observance of Human Rights around the world!

As always, we will follow
DJPC’s Guidelines for Nonviolent Activism as listed here:
http://denjustpeace.org/how-we-work/non-violent-activism/nonviolent-activism-guidelines/

Despite corruption and major human rights violations in Colombia and Panama, President Barack Obama said passage of the agreements was “a major win for American workers and businesses… I look forward to signing these agreements.”    

DJPC’s legislators voted as such:

HR 3078  -  Colombia Free Trade  (House passed:  262-167.  Senate passed: 66-33):

Rep. Diane DeGette (D, District 1):       NO

Rep. Jared Polis (D, District 2):            YES

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D, District 7):       NO

Sen. Michael Bennet (D):                     YES

Sen. Mark Udall (D):                              YES

HR 3079 – Panama Free Trade (House passed:  300-129.  Senate passed: 77-22):

Rep. Diane DeGette (D, District 1):       YES

Rep. Jared Polis (D, District 2):            YES

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D, District 7):       NO

Sen. Michael Bennet (D):                      YES

Sen. Mark Udall (D):                              YES

The Denver Justice and Peace Committee stands firm in its opposition to free trade agreements that are the means to expand economic systems that benefit U.S. and transnational corporations’ interests at the expense of local communities, economies, and ecosystems.  Unfortunately, the Obama administration has placed a priority on passing two such agreements that were written during George W. Bush’s administration.  The Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreements are not only harmful to the people of those countries, but they are not the solution to America’s economic woes. We ask you to join us in asking our representatives in Congress not to pass them.

DJPC opposes the trade pact with Colombia because we are concerned that the agreement would result in the displacement of impoverished farmers and the destruction of the environment by timber, mining, and palm oil interests that will be given incentives under the pact.  We also feel that the agreement does not do enough to hold the Colombian government accountable for prosecuting the murders of union workers as well as other human rights violations.  The Denver Justice and Peace Committee also opposes the Panama Free Trade Agreement because it does nothing to stop the problem of corporations using Panama as a tax-haven as well as the prevalence of drug money laundering in that country.  There are also human rights violations in Panama, especially those directed against indigenous peoples, that the pact does not address.

Unfortunately, President Obama has made it clear that he supports both pacts.  In his recent jobs speech to Congress, he said, “I want to see more products sold around the world stamped with the three proud words: ‘Made in America.’”  DJPC urges you to contact your representatives and let them know that you are not proud of those three words if they stand for environmental destruction, drug-money laundering, and the displacement of and violence against workers in Latin America. Tell them that these agreements will lead to an estimated loss of 55,000 U.S. jobs and that they will create more problems, such as poverty and displacement, in Colombia and Panama.

Below, you will find a Scorecard on Latin American Trade that shows how the Colorado delegation has voted on trade issues in the past.  The chart includes the Andean Trade Preference Act Extension from 2007, the CAFTA vote from 2005, the United States-Peru Trade Agreement from 2007, and the vote to postpone the consideration of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement from early 2008.  As you can see, both Representatives DeGette and Perlmutter voted to postpone the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.  They need to know that their constituents support the decision not to pass it then and demand that they defeat the two pacts once and for all now.

A vote on these two agreements is highly likely now that Congress is back in session and so it is imperative that you take action soon.  A general phone number to reach any member of Congress is 202-224-3121.  This number will connect you with the U.S. Capitol Switchboard and you can then ask for your Representative’s office.

Here are the phone numbers for the Washington D.C. offices of the Colorado Senators and three Representatives:

Sen. Mark Udall:  202-224-5941

Sen. Michael Bennet: 202-224-5852

Rep. Diana DeGette:  202-225-4431

Rep. Ed Perlmutter: 202-225-2645

Rep. Jared Polis:  202-225-2161

When you are connected to your representative’s office, ask to speak to the Trade Legislative Aid.  If that person is unavailable, leave a message expression your opposition to the trade agreements.

Here is a sample script:

a.  Hello, my name is ______and I am a constituent.  May I speak with the Trade Legislative Assistant?

b.  I’m calling to urge Representative/Senator________to oppose the Panama and Colombia-U.S. Free Trade Agreements.

c.  It is projected to increase our trade deficit and cost more U.S. jobs (see additional talking points attached below).

d.  Does he/she oppose these trade deals?  Will he/she vote NO to help stop it?

The Denver Justice and Peace Committee firmly believes that the passage of the Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreements will be detrimental to the people of both countries.  Please call your representatives today!

Additional Talking Points

Photo Credit:  http://watchblogaotearoa.blogspot.com/2011/07/embattled-colombian-unionists-rally.html

By Read Trammel

The Advocacy Committee looks forward to the upcoming legislative session that promises to offer many opportunities for us to educate the public about immigration, mining, and free trade policy while promoting human rights, economic justice, and lasting peace in Latin America.

Since February, the Advocacy Committee has petitioned members of the Colorado congressional delegation to sign a letter encouraging Mexico to strengthen its rule of law and to protect the rights of all of its people in the face of rising human rights violations within that country.  We petitioned President Obama to support El Salvador in the lawsuits brought by the Pacific Rim Mining Company and Commerce Group Corporation against that country.  We also asked him to initiate a process of renegotiating CAFTA-DR, including replacing the foreign investor provisions with democratic, transparent, and strictly limited mechanisms that will protect the environment and human rights.  The Advocacy Committee worked against new Free Trade Agreements in Colombia and Panama.  The committee organized a call-in day, during which our members contacted the Colorado delegation and expressed DJPC’s opposition to these plans, which are not just harmful to the U.S. economy, but they also aggravate problems with union violence in Colombia and the use of Panama as a tax haven by corporations. We also continued to follow the ongoing human rights violations in Honduras.  In June, the committee urged the Colorado delegation to sign a Dear Colleague letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton requesting that she put pressure on the Honduran government to protect its people from violence.  The Advocacy Committee was excited that Colorado Representative Jared Polis added his name to the list of those standing in solidarity with the Honduran people when he signed that letter.

The Advocacy Committee anticipates additional work on several more issues this summer.  We will continue to monitor the volatile situation in Honduras and give voice to the marginal groups in Panama and Colombia that will be the most impacted by the free trade agreements.  The committee will work to support the DREAM Act, which has been reintroduced to Congress.  While we are encouraged that Colorado Senators Michael Bennett and Mark Udall have signed on as cosponsors to this important piece of legislation, we cannot allow it to fail again.  The Advocacy Committee will build a coalition with other likeminded organizations in order to create a grassroots effort to push for the bill’s passage.  We will also add DJPC’s voice to the growing debate about immigration reform to ensure that any such reform does not come at the expense of justice for the people of Latin America.

As these issues develop and others arise, the Advocacy Committee will continue to promote the interests of the people of Latin America.  Although progress may be slow in this era of divided government, we remain hopeful that the Denver Justice and Peace Committee can positively impact the lives of Latin Americans on the local level where they live and work.

The documentary details how the Denver based Newmont Mining company hired the security company FORZA to harass, persecute and threaten the environmental workers in Cajamarca, Peru. These environmentalists wish to stop Newmont’s ecologically damaging practices and this award will hopefully get their cause known by more people.

The Denver Justice and Peace Committee premiered The Devil Operation in June of 2010 at the DocuWest Film Festival in Golden, CO. DJPC also presented the film at the Starz Theater in Denver, CO in October 2010. This issue is of great interest to DJPC and with Newmont’s headquarters being here in Denver, we can help the Peruvians directly. As a reminder, if you have not signed the petition to tell Newmont Mining Corporation that we know of their cruel practices and wish for them to stop, then make sure you do so.

For more information please click here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/1-Newmont-Mining/

http://www.larepublica.pe/index.php?q=16-02-2011/premian-operacion-diablo-en-berlin

Ecuador court case on oil

Recently Ecuadorean villagers have won a lawsuit against Chevron oil corporation for their actions in the Amazon. The Ecuadoreans, represented by Pablo Fajardo, were citing grievances against Texaco, acquired by Chevron in 1990, for polluting the environment, putting people’s lives at risk and failing to clean up their spills. The failure of Texaco to clean up its waste and instead dumping it and covering it with dirt in inhabited areas lead to the lawsuit.

After trying to go to court in the U.S. since 1990 and being sent to Ecuador in 2000, the successful result has been hard fought for. The legal team representing the Ecuadorean villagers, although happy at the award of 9 billion dollars, is currently looking into legal challenges against Chevron in other countries of Latin America and is pushing to receive a larger payout to fully pay for the damages caused to the people by Chevron’s negligent practices.

The documentary Crude: The Real Price of Oil, which focuses on these issues was presented by the Denver Justice and Peace Committee at our August 2010 Salon. At this time and throughout the fall of 2010,  DJPC members participated in the Chevron Toxico campaign which pressured Chevron’s CEO to clean up Ecuador now.

Thank you DJPC members for helping win this victory!

For more info on this story please click here: www.nytimes.com and search the following Article Titles:

Ecuadoreans plan to pursue chevron in other countries

Ecuador Judge Orders Chevron to Pay $9 Billion

For more info on the Chevron Toxico Campaign please click here: http://chevrontoxico.com/take-action/send-chevron-a-message.html

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/1-Newmont-Mining/

If you haven’t signed our petition please do so by clicking here:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/1-Newmont-Mining/

Thanks for your participation!

VIGIL AT GEO DETENTION CENTER

“LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS, NO WALLS”

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2011 at 6:00 PM

DJPC is collaborating with the American Friends Service Committee’s Coloradans for Immigrant Rights (CFIR) to sponsor the February 7 Vigil at the Geo Detention Center in Aurora. Dress for the weather and bring a prayer shawl if you’ve already been given one!

Photo by H.A. Alfaro

The vigil starts at the corner of E. 30^th Avenue and Peoria Street.

Parking is available on side streets and in the visitor’s lot on E. 30^th Avenue (south of the Geo Center).

Website: www.denjustpeace.org | Phone: 303-623-1463 | E-mail:djpc@denjustpeace.org

In Guatemala, hundreds of mining concessions have been granted to transnational gold, silver, nickel, and zinc companies, threatening the social and environmental health of rural populations. Delegation participants will visit the municipalities of Sipakapa and San Miguel Ixtahuacan in the department of San Marcos as well as El Estor in the department of Izabal to experience firsthand the impact of mining on these indigenous communities.

“Traveling teaches us to commit, to take on the problems of others as if they were our own, because they are our own.”—Luis Sepulveda

“The crops were much better before,” says Crisanta holding up some of the corn her family harvested this year in San Miguel Ixtahuacan, Guatemala, “but since the mine came, they don’t come out the same anymore. They do not grow properly now. We haven’t had a good harvest for about three years. Even the crops that we do harvest, we cannot sell. As soon as people find out that we are from San Miguel, they don’t want to buy from us because they say it’s all contaminated.”

Indigenous communities all over Guatemala are organizing to save their land, water, and way of life. Participants in this delegation will explore ways to actively support these efforts after their return to the U.S.

To hear a video clip of Brad Lawton’s interview about the trip, given at the recent DJPC Awards Night ceremony, click here:  Brad Lawton on DJPC Mining Delegation

Dates:  February 12-22, 2011
Price: $1,100 plus airfare to Guatemala City
To get the application please contact Jane Covode, jcovode@ccentral.com or Kathryn Rodriguez, klrodriguez@comcast.net