We join the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), Alma de Izote collective in Chicago, and other organizations and groups in solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

November 23, 2024

As organizations and collectives from the Salvadoran diaspora and individuals in solidarity with El Salvador from different parts of the world, we send a message of solidarity to popular organizations such as the Block of Resistance and Popular Rebellion (Bloque de Resistencia y Rebeldía Popular), the Movement for the Defense of Workers’ Rights, and other civil society organizations, as well as to the Salvadoran people.

We commend the people who, on this day, overcame fear and took to the streets to denounce the proposed budget presented by Bukele’s regime. This budget seeks to significantly reduce funds for key sectors essential to the quality of life of the Salvadoran people, such as health, education, agriculture, and more, while inflating budgets dedicated to military repression and government propaganda. Protesters also denounced ongoing human rights abuses, arbitrary arrests under the state of emergency, and labor and political persecution.

We stand in solidarity with public sector employees who have been unjustly dismissed during Bukele’s administration. We agree with the analysis of the popular movement that these dismissals reveal the government’s inability to manage funds to provide beneficial services to the population, while it increases unsustainable debt and grants fiscal benefits that enrich the regime, its close allies, and the wealthiest in the country. These actions of wealth accumulation by a few deepen poverty in the country and force the Salvadoran working population to migrate.

We support the call of the social movement to reject the budget proposed by the Executive Branch and to replace it with a budget that addresses the population’s needs, as outlined in the Block of Resistance and Popular Rebellion’s Alternative and Popular Budget proposal.

We demand respect for the rights of the Salvadoran people, an end to persecution, respect for freedom of expression, the reinstatement of dismissed workers, the release of all those arbitrarily and unjustly detained under the state of emergency, and the immediate release of all political prisoners, including the leaders of the National Alliance El Salvador en Paz, who have been peacefully denouncing the abuses of Bukele’s regime.

We invite the international community and allied organizations to join the popular organizations in El Salvador in their denunciations and their struggle for a dignified life for the Salvadoran working class.

Midwest Association for Latin American Studies (MALAS) conference, November 8, 2024

At the 2024 Midwest Association for Latin American Studies (MALAS) conference, Jhonathan Gómez, along with DePaul University’s Dr. Susana Martínez, Dr. Lydia Saravia, and Angelina Álvarez, presented the Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón: Central American Historical Memory Project. This panel explored the powerful intersections of historical memory, social justice, and community engagement in the context of Central American human rights struggles. The presentation delved into the use of archives for preserving historical memory, with Susana Martínez and Lydia Saravia highlighting how archival research serves as a foundation for understanding the political and cultural history of Central America. They discussed how archival materials can be used to document human rights violations and inspire contemporary social movements.

Angelina Álvarez also contributed to the discussion by emphasizing the importance of community building and collective witnessing in the struggle for justice. This aspect of the project underscores how shared histories of resistance can forge stronger connections across communities, especially among those who have been displaced or affected by political violence. Jhonathan Gómez concluded the session by framing the project’s impact on CRLN’s broader work in supporting human rights defenders. The panel provided an opportunity for the audience to engage with the historical and ongoing struggles for justice in Central America, fostering a dialogue on democracy, memory, and collective action towards better futures. This presentation at the MALAS conference was a vital part of the ongoing effort to connect academic scholarship with real-world activism, contributing to the collective vision of a more just and equitable future.

Click here to read more about the Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón Project.

Human Rights in El Salvador: A Community Forum and Fundraiser for Human Rights in El Salvador

The Chicago Religious Leadership Network (CRLN) and Centro Romero invite you to a special event that combines learning, solidarity, and action. Join us on Thursday, November 21, at 6:00 PM, at El Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 N. Clark Street, for a community forum and fundraiser to support the critical work of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario, community Non-Profit in El Salvador advocating for victims of state repression under President Nayib Bukele’s State of Exception.

A Growing Crisis in El Salvador
Under Bukele’s regime, El Salvador has experienced grave human rights violations that have raised concern internationally.

Since March 2022, over 70,000 people have been arbitrarily detained under El Salvador’s Estado de Excepción (State of Emergency), according to human rights organizations. Aimed at combating gang violence, it has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including torture, overcrowded prisons, prolonged detention without trial, death and forced disappearances, according to Amnesty International. As of February 2024, Amnesty documented approximately 78,000 detentions, highlighting the urgent need for international solidarity and action.

In addition to these abuses, Bukele’s government has taken steps to dismantle democratic institutions in El Salvador. In May 2021, the Legislative Assembly, dominated by Bukele’s allies, removed constitutional court judges and the attorney general, actions that effectively crippled the judicial system’s ability to act independently. Critics from international organizations like Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) have condemned these moves as an attack on the rule of law and a shift toward authoritarianism.

These actions have set the stage for further violations of basic freedoms, as the separation of powers and the checks and balances that are critical to a functioning democracy have been severely undermined. Furthermore, press freedom and civil society have been severely curtailed under Bukele’s rule. Journalists and human rights organizations face harassment, surveillance, and even criminal charges for their work. Bukele has been accused of using legal measures and threats to silence dissent, undermining the media’s ability to operate freely. In 2020, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that journalists in El Salvador were facing increasing threats from the government, which has waged a campaign to discredit the press and stifle critical voices. Bukele’s administration continues to foster an environment where journalism is criminalized, and independent reporting is at risk of being silenced.

These violations paint a troubling picture of the disregards for fundamental human rights and freedoms. As the Bukele regime consolidates power, international human rights organizations continue to call for increased scrutiny and accountability for the systematic repression of El Salvador’s citizens.

This forum aims to shed light on these issues and support the work of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario, which advocates for those unjustly impacted by these policies. The organization stands as a lifeline, providing legal assistance, psychological support, and material aid to detainees and their families. This event will raise funds to sustain their work and amplify their efforts to defend human rights.

About the Event
This community forum will feature presentations from Ingrid Escobar and Oscar Rosales Meléndez, two human rights defenders from El Salvador who are actively addressing the injustices of the State of Exception. Through their stories and firsthand accounts, we will explore the impacts of mass detentions and the ongoing struggle for justice in El Salvador.

The evening will include:

• A presentation by Ingrid and Oscar on the human rights crisis.

• A discussion on how international solidarity can support those affected.

• An opportunity to contribute directly to the lifesaving work of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario.

About the Speakers
Ingrid Escobar is the Director of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario and a lifelong human rights advocate. She has been on the frontlines of labor and human rights defense in El Salvador, dedicating her career to protecting vulnerable populations.

Oscar Rosales Meléndez, a lawyer and humanitarian, has decades of experience supporting displaced and marginalized communities. He is deeply committed to providing legal and material support to those affected by state repression.

All funds raised during this event will go directly to Socorro Jurídico Humanitario to sustain their critical efforts, which include:

• Legal defense for detainees and their families.

• Psychological care for victims of trauma.

• Financial aid, food, and medical support for affected families.

The human rights community in Chicago, a city with its own rich history of social justice movements understands the power of solidarity. The people from the diaspora of El Salvador have been an important part of the Chicago community, let us show our solidarity.

Join us for this important conversation.

Event Details
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 21
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: El Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 N. Clark Street

Resistance Across Generations:
From Latino América to Chicago

CRLN has a long standing history in the struggle for human rights, immigrant justice, and international solidarity. At times, a gathering space for activism in Chicago, CRLN has emphasized the importance of connecting generations and communities in shared resistance against systems of oppression. The upcoming events, Resistance Across Generations: From Colombia to El Salvador to Chicago, highlights the intersections of these themes, showcasing the enduring legacies of intergenerational and international activism.

Chicago’s history is deeply rooted in social movements, where migrant communities have played pivotal roles in shaping the city’s landscape. From the labor strikes of the early 20th century to the establishment of bilingual education programs in the 1960s and 70s, the contributions of Latin American migrants have been central to the city’s identity as a sanctuary for everyone. CRLN builds on this foundation, fostering spaces where historical memory and ongoing struggles converge.

In collaboration with the Alma de Izote collective and the Chicago Party for Socialism and Liberation, CRLN’s seeks to honor the work of past generations while nurturing the voices of emerging activists. This initiative, spanning two events in November 2024, will feature distinguished speakers Neris González from El Salvador and Gladys Zarate Cárdenas from Colombia, alongside younger activists from Chicago’s Latin American diaspora representing México, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Other featured speakers include Lorna Sánchez, Yesenia Puebla, Willy Palomo and Josué Sicán. The events will be moderated by Jhonathan F. Gómez from CRLN. Together, they will explore themes of resistance, exile, migration, and intergenerational solidarity.

These gatherings are not just a platform for storytelling but a call to action—encouraging participants to draw lessons from the past to confront today’s challenges. Topics include historical memory, the impact of migration on activism, and the potential of intergenerational organizing as a transformative force in community work.

CRLN warmly invites you to join us in celebrating resistance and solidarity. Let’s honor the past, connect in the present, and build for the future.

📅 Events Details:

• Date: November 14, 2024
• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
• Location: 18th Street Casa de Cultura (2057 W. 18th St. Chicago, IL 60608) Chicago Liberation Center
• See the flyer above
  
  
• Date: November 19, 2024
• Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
• Location: Chicago Liberation Center (2712 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608)
• See the flyer above

This is more than an event; it’s an opportunity to be part of a growing movement for justice.

Join us for a discussion titled “What Now? Organizing for Justice After the Election”.

DATE: Sunday, November 10th

TIME: 11:45 AM

LOCATION: Lake Street Church, 607 Lake St., Evanston, IL 60201

At the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN), we understand that marginalized communities in the U.S. have been fighting for justice under all administrations. Our work emphasizes an internationalist perspective and a critique of U.S. foreign policy on Latin American countries. We advocate for the rights of all migrant communities here in the U.S.

We thank Lake Street Church for the invitation to be part of this conversation. Come learn how you can engage in this critical conversation and take action. Your participation matters in co-creating a beloved community.

Thelma Cabrera and Neftalí López Vistit Chicago

From October 20th to 24th, 2024, Thelma Cabrera and Neftalí López, two prominent Human Rights Defenders from Guatemala, visited Chicago as part of a larger speaking tour. This visit was organized in partnership with local collectives Ceiba and Alma de Izote, along with support from Mijente, CODECA USA Youth, the CCG (Coalición Cordinadora de Guatemala en Chicago), and leaders of the Guatemala community. This marked the first collaboration with Mijente, whose logistical and promotional support contributed to the success of the events. The visit allowed for valuable connections between the guests, local leaders, and various organizations dedicated to social justice and human rights.

On October 21st, a meeting with Mijente’s leadership team in Chicago, along with staff from the national office, and other local activists, provided an opportunity to build deeper connections and discuss common goals in the fight for human rights. The following day, CRLN organized a meeting with its staff, Board of Directors, and the broader network, inviting members of University Church and other groups to discuss the intersection of Indigenous rights, farm worker rights, and the work of CODECA. The meeting also highlighted CRLN’s decades-long commitment to Central America, its roots in liberation theology, and its ongoing solidarity work.

On October 22nd, a youth-focused event was held at the 18th Street Casa de Cultura, attracting over 40 young people. This event allowed Cabrera and López to speak directly with young people about Indigenous justice and the farmworker struggles in Guatemala. It was an opportunity for CRLN to continue its outreach to a new, younger generation on Chicago’s South Side. That same evening, a dinner with over 20 elders and leaders from the Guatemalan community took place at the home of Benjamín Villagrán, strengthening ties with the local community.

On October 23rd, Cabrera and López visited Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, where they met with a collective of Maya Indigenous youth working on immigrant rights and cultural projects at a local Catholic church. The final evening event, held at the Latin Patio restaurant, brought together over 40 attendees from both the Guatemalan community and the broader Chicago community to discuss shared concerns about human rights conditions in Guatemala. The visit culminated in a meaningful meeting with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, where human rights issues in Guatemala were discussed, particularly the ongoing threats to human rights defenders. Both public events were supported by CRLN’s contribution of professional translation equipment and simultaneous interpretation to ensure effective communication with attendees. This visit and its events were a direct outcome of the relationship-building efforts of the July delegation to Guatemala and represented a collaborative effort among several groups committed to human rights, justice, and solidarity in Chicago. Additionally, many of the young adults such as Evelyn Zepeda took the lead in the work of these events.