CRLN’s Solidarity 2024 Highlights

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Dear CRLN community and partners,

As 2024 comes to a close we want to share some highlights of our work together this year. Each of the highlights illustrates the different ways we are living out our mission together.

Since our beginning thirty-five years ago, we have revisited our mission statement several times and in March of 2016 we adopted the mission statement below:

CRLN builds partnerships among social movements and organized communities within and between the U.S. and Latin America. We work together through popular education, grassroots organizing, public policy advocacy, and direct action to dismantle U.S. militarism, neoliberal economic and immigration policy, and other forms of state and institutional violence. We are united by our liberating faiths and inspired by the power of people to organize and to find allies to work for sustainable economies, just relationships, and human dignity.

Building partnerships is at the very core of our mission. From our earliest days, we have partnered with people who are directly impacted by destructive U.S. policies and worked to change those policies. Our partners have always shaped our work together and we are working to deepen our partnerships. In our Highlights Report below, you will learn more about our delegation to Cuba and two delegations to Guatemala. In a historic event, we were able to host partners from the Centro Martin Luther King Center (CMLK) in Cuba after many years of visa denials by the US. Central American partners from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala shared testimonies with our community. In addition, we made new connections with other organizations in the Americas. Together with partners old and new, we discussed accompaniment and advocacy strategies.

Throughout our Highlights Report, you will see examples of how we work through popular education, grassroots organizing, public policy advocacy, and direct action. CRLN’s work this year was possible for three reasons: 1) our long history of accompaniment and advocacy 2) staff who have firsthand knowledge of transnational work and 3) And number three is YOU, our supporters, members, and our network. You make our work possible!

As we write this letter, we are meeting with national and local partners to equip our community to accompany those most impacted by the racist policies threatened by the new administration. With your generous support, we can “meet this moment and the next” by continuing to accompany and advocate with our partners. Together we can multiply hope and light!

Please consider an online donation at https://bit.ly/CRLNEndofYear to CRLN. Your contributions are tax-deductible. Please also consider providing a legacy donation to CRLN in your will; our full legal title is Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America.

¡Adelante!

CRLN Staff and Board

January Delegation to Guatemala with Congresswoman Delia Ramírez and leaders of the Guatemala Community in Chicago

Delegation members visit the resistance camp of La Puya near Guatemala City

The January 2024 Guatemala delegation, organized by CRLN, was a unique opportunity for participants to engage with social movements and human rights defenders, furthering connections and understanding of critical issues in the region. Joined by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and other distinguished leaders, the delegation witnessed the vital work of organizations such as La Puya, Fundación Ixtatán, and Asociación Pop-Noj.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


January Delegation to Cuba

Delegation members in Cuba and view of Havana, Cuba

In January 2024, our CRLN delegation arrived in Cuba after more than a year of planning. It was decided in 2023 to partner with the Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective (WFP), which has a staff member in Cuba and vast experience organizing delegations. The delegation would explore the historic and impactful community, theological, and secular work of the renowned Centro Memorial Martin Luther King (CMLK).

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


Delegation from Cuba visits Chicago

Esteemed and renown historian and professor Barbara Ransby with guests Reverend Izett Samá Hernández and Loyet García Broche at the Chicago Justice Gallery event organized by Bettina Johnson

Solidarity dinner to honor the work of the Centro Memorial Martin Luther King Jr. (CMLK) in La Habana, Cuba

The visit of Reverend Izett Samá Hernández and Loyet García Broche, key leaders and human rights defenders from the Centro Memorial Martin Luther King Jr. (CMLK) in La Habana, Cuba, marked a significant moment in CRLN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationship with the CMLK. From April 13 to April 19, 2024, their visit to Chicago featured impactful events centered around political education, liberatory theology, and liberatory education. The CMLK’s work, blending secular and religious elements, holds profound significance in Cuba and internationally. CRLN was honored to host Reverend Hernández and García Broche, whose leadership continues to inspire movements in Cuba and beyond. This visit follows CRLN’s successful delegation to Cuba in January 2024, deepening the collaborative ties between our organizations and setting the stage for future strategic initiatives.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


Nelly del Cid from Honduras visits Chicago

Conversation with Honduran human rights defender Nelly Del Cid hosted at Inga Bookstore in Chicago

CRLN hosted an empowering conversation with Honduran human rights defender Nelly Del Cid, in collaboration with the Sisters of Mercy at the national level and in Chicago, as well as Inga Bookstore. The event brought together an intergenerational audience for a dialogue centered on community, resistance, and self-care, highlighting the resilience and courage of those fighting for human rights in Honduras and beyond. Nelly’s powerful insights sparked meaningful reflection and discussion, creating a space for solidarity and mutual learning.

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Action and Advocacy at the El Salvador Consulate

CRLN and allies rally in front of the El Salvador consulate in Chicago

In response to a global call from human rights defenders and organizations in El Salvador, CRLN supported organizing a powerful rally in front of the El Salvador consulate in Chicago on May 31, 2024. This event was part of a larger coordinated effort across the United States and the world to denounce the authoritarian policies of President Nayib Bukele’s government.

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HumanitiesX Fellowship with DePaul University

CRLN staff, DePaul staff, allies, and fellows at University Church

The Historical Memory Project: Ni Olvido, Ni Perdón was a transformative educational initiative that emerged from a partnership between CRLN and DePaul University’s HumanitiesX fellowship. Launched in the Spring of 2024, the project connected students to critical human rights contexts in Central America, particularly Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Under the guidance of Professors Dr. Susana Martínez and Dr. Lydia Saravia from DePaul University, along with CRLN’s Co-Director Jhonathan Gómez, the project integrated interdisciplinary study, community engagement, and collaborative art. Students explored historical memory and social justice by researching human rights challenges, particularly issues related to political violence, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights.

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July Guatemala Diaspora Delegation

Delegation participants with members of AJR at the trial hearings. Delegation members in the town square of Nebaj, El Quiché.

The delegation to Guatemala, which took place from July 3rd to the 13th, included five leaders from the Guatemalan community. This delegation was a collaboration between CRLN, the Maya Ixil Accompaniment Project, NISGUA, and AJR (Association for Justice and Reconciliation). The delegation was an independent initiative from Guatemalan leaders in Chicago seeking to reconnect with their roots and the desire to understand a border context of human rights in Guatemala.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


Thelma Cabrera and Neftali López visit Chicago

Thelma Cabrera and Neftali López at public events at 18th Street Casa de Cultura and Latin Patio restaurant

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.

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Midwest Association for Latin American Studies (MALAS) conference

Dr. Susana Martínez and Dr. Lydia Saravia highlight how archival research serves as a foundation for understanding the political and cultural history of Central America. Angelina Álvarez shared on the importance of Central American curriculum for college students

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.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


House of Hospitality

In 2024, CRLN’s work with the SWG House of Hospitality exemplified its commitment to community-powered solutions in response to the challenges faced by recently arrived migrant families. The House of Hospitality served as a temporary home for several West African families, providing critical support and resources. CRLN pivoted to focus on services within the context of accompaniment, emphasizing leadership development among residents. One significant achievement was hiring a resident member as part-time staff, offering both professional growth opportunities and a platform to contribute to the collective work of the organization.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.


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CRLN Stands in Solidarity with Human Rights Defenders and the National TPS Alliance

Click here to read the press release by the TPS Alliance or see below.

The Chicago Religious Leadership Network (CRLN) stands firmly in solidarity with the human rights defenders, TPS beneficiaries, and allies embarking on a hunger strike which began on December 16, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The National TPS Alliance, representing thousands of TPS holders from diverse countries including El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Nepal, and Nicaragua, has called for this urgent action as a critical deadline approaches for the largest TPS-holder community from El Salvador on January 8, 2025. This hunger strike highlights the ongoing struggle of TPS families to secure their right to live in safety and dignity, free from the looming threat of family separation. CRLN joins their call for the Biden Administration to immediately extend and redesignate TPS for all designated countries. This act of resistance is not only about protecting lives but about safeguarding the hard-earned stability of countless families who contribute immeasurably to communities across the United States.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a vital means for migrants to shield themselves against the upcoming administration’s alarming promises of heightened anti-immigrant terror and xenophobia. The National TPS Alliance unites TPS holders and their families with allies, faith communities, and non-profits, demonstrating the collective strength of advocacy. It is a reminder that migration is a human right and that every person in the United States deserves respect and dignity, regardless of immigration status.

CRLN affirms its commitment to the struggle for immigrant justice and stands with those who are risking their health and well-being to demand action. As the hunger strikers use their own deprivation to symbolize the desperation faced by migrants, we echo their urgent plea: the time to act is now.

Click here to read the press release by the TPS Alliance or see below.

CRLN stands in Solidarity with Fidel Antonio Zavala Pérez
December 17, 2024

Fidel Antonio Zavala Pérez, human rights defender and whistleblower
of human rights abuses inside El Salvador’s prisons

Click here to read the statement or read the text below.

Fidel Antonio Zavala Pérez, a human rights defender and whistleblower who has faced unjust political persecution in El Salvador who was acquitted of business fraud charges, is now being targeted again by the government of El Salvador through the reopening of his case. This persecution comes in retaliation for his brave efforts to expose the corruption, torture, and medical neglect he endured during thirteen months of pre-trial imprisonment. CRLN is one of 52 organizations from 16 countries that have signed a joint statement, delivered by the Community and Human Rights Defense Unit (UNIDEHC) to El Salvador’s Human Rights Ombudsman. This statement demands that the government drop all charges against Zavala, end its disinformation campaign, and investigate the human rights violations he has reported. We extend our gratitude to the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) for their advocacy and providing invaluable information.

Zavala’s case highlights the broader pattern of repression under the administration of Nayib Bukele, where human rights defenders and social movement leaders are systematically targeted. Recently, police harassment has escalated, with officers visiting Zavala’s mother’s home in an attempt to intimidate him further. CRLN joins the international community in denouncing these acts of persecution and reiterates our unwavering support for Zavala’s efforts to seek justice and accountability. We stand in solidarity with him and all defenders of human rights, calling on the government of El Salvador to uphold the rule of law and protect those who courageously speak out against injustice. Together, we must continue to demand the safety and freedom of all who fight for dignity and rights in El Salvador.

Click here to read the statement or read the text below.

House of Hospitality

In 2024, CRLN’s work with the SWG House of Hospitality exemplified its commitment to community-powered solutions in response to the challenges faced by recently arrived migrant families. The House of Hospitality served as a temporary home for several West African families, providing critical support and resources. CRLN pivoted to focus on services within the context of accompaniment, emphasizing leadership development among residents. One significant achievement was hiring a resident member as part-time staff, offering both professional growth opportunities and a platform to contribute to the collective work of the organization.

As families transitioned out of the House to establish more permanent housing, CRLN reallocated resources to support them during this critical period. This process involved extensive logistical coordination, including securing apartments, furnishing homes, and ensuring a smooth relocation. The initiative also addressed administrative tasks related to closing the rental property while maintaining the dignity and security of the families involved. These efforts reflect CRLN’s commitment to a politicized and holistic practice of accompaniment rather than merely providing direct services.

The lessons learned from the House of Hospitality have broadened CRLN’s approach to migrant justice. This initiative underscored the unique challenges faced by non-Latine and African asylum seekers, integrating their experiences into coalition work and advocacy. By framing this effort as a model for community-powered responses, CRLN aims to deepen its analysis and strengthen its role in shifting narratives and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable approach to supporting migrant families.

CRLN proudly joins over 30 organizations across the USA, Canada, Central America, and Europe in standing in solidarity with the Maya Ixil survivors and victims of genocide in Guatemala. We condemn the illegal and unjust resolution by the First Chamber of the High-Risk Court of Appeals, which obstructs the final phase of the genocide trial against retired General Manuel Benedicto Lucas García. Despite overwhelming evidence, the judicial system continues to enable impunity, delaying justice for the Maya Ixil people. We echo the determination of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR) and the Human Rights Office of the Archbishop of Guatemala (ODHAG): “We will not stop until justice is served.” Together, we remain steadfast in supporting their decades-long fight for accountability and historical memory.

No More Impunity: Justice for the Maya Ixil People and the Genocide Trial Against Lucas García

December 10, 2024

We stand in solidarity with the Maya Ixil survivors and victims of genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Guatemala.

In light of the recent resolution by the First Chamber of the High-Risk Court of Appeals of Guatemala, we affirm our unwavering solidarity with the Maya Ixil communities, the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR) and the Human Rights Office of the Archbishop of Guatemala (ODHAG) as they continue in their decades-long fight for justice against the intellectual architects of genocide in Guatemala. The courageous pursuit of accountability for crimes committed during Guatemala’s internal armed conflict is a testament to the resilience of the survivors, their unwavering stand against impunity, and their commitment to preserving the historic memory of those who were martyred and lost.

We call on groups, organizations and individuals committed to justice and human rights to stand in solidarity with the Maya Ixil people. Join us in solidarity with survivors and victims as we continue to mobilize support to hold the judicial system and the government of Guatemala accountable.

We join the AJR and ODHAG in rejecting the illegal, unjust, and disgraceful resolution issued by the First Chamber of the High-Risk Court of Appeals. This baseless ruling, issued on November 28, 2024 by magistrates Marco Tulio Pérez Lemus, Jorge Emilio Morales Quezada, and Miriam Regina Brolo Salazar, accepted the spurious and false arguments presented by the Public Defense in favor of retired General Manuel Benedicto Lucas García. Their decision, clearly aimed at benefiting the accused and guaranteeing his impunity, orders the suspension of the final phase of the genocide trial, halting the issuance of a long-awaited sentence. This resolution is a grave violation of the rights of the Maya Ixil victims and survivors, who have endured decades of injustice.

Despite the overwhelming evidence presented during the 95 hearings of the trial, which includes over 120 testimonies and documentation of 19 massacres, justice has been shamefully delayed. The trial against retired General Manuel Benedicto Lucas García, former Chief of the Army General Staff, has been marked by repeated delays and systemic efforts to obstruct accountability and justice. These delays came to their height on November 13, 2024 when an injunction filed by the defense resulted in the suspension of the sentencing proceedings. This tactic, emblematic of impunity, threatens to derail the trial, potentially returning it to the intermediate stage and denying survivors justice.

We condemn all efforts by the defense of retired General Lucas García to obstruct justice through baseless legal maneuvers. These efforts reveal the entrenched corruption and impunity within Guatemala’s judicial system, which continues to deny survivors the justice they rightfully deserve. Similar malicious legal strategies have been used in high-profile cases, such as the annulment of the 2013 genocide conviction of retired General Efraín Ríos Montt and the delays in the trial of retired General Héctor Mario López Fuentes, highlighting a pattern of obstruction to protect military officials facing charges of genocide and crimes against humanity from accountability and justice.

Obstruction is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger and constant pattern of corruption. On December 2, prosecutor Mercedes Morales Santos, who called for a historic sentence of 2,860 years for Lucas García was removed from the case.

As the AJR and the Human Rights Office of the Archbishop of Guatemala (ODHAG) powerfully stated in their November 28 press release:

“The magistrates of the First Chamber of Appeals, with proven links to corrupt and impunity-driven actors… have issued a baseless resolution aimed at directly benefiting the accused… gravely violating the rights of the victims.”

The survivors of the AJR—representing 22 communities devastated by the military’s scorched earth campaign between 1978 and 1985—continue to demonstrate remarkable bravery and strength throughout the decades in their quest for justice. They have endured intimidation, threats, and legal obstruction. As their press release emphasizes:

“We have won a trial against one of the most bloodthirsty generals Latin American history has ever known, and fear of the sentence made them seek help from corrupt actors to ensure impunity.”

We echo their determination: “We will not stop until justice is served.” The Maya Ixil people continue to face significant risks in their pursuit of justice. Their resistance confronts systemic impunity, entrenched corruption, and deep-seated racism that continue to threaten Indigenous communities across Guatemala.

We call on the government of Guatemala to respect due process and allow the court to proceed accordingly. We denounce the decision of the Court of Appeals, This is a blatant obstruction of justice must not stand. The High-Risk Court A must be allowed to proceed with sentencing without interference. We demand that the Constitutional Court of Guatemala ensure the independence of the judiciary and uphold the survivors’ right to a fair and expeditious trial. There must be accountability for those who obstruct justice through corrupt practices, including magistrates and officials complicit in perpetuating impunity.

We call on the international community, human rights organizations, and allies to:

● Denounce this obstruction of justice in Guatemala and call for an end to systemic impunity.
● Support Maya Ixil victims, survivors and the AJR in their decades-long fight for accountability and historical memory.
● Strongly urge the government of Guatemala to protect prosecutors, judges, and human rights defenders from retaliation or removal in high profile cases.
● High-Risk Court A must be allowed to proceed with sentencing. Justice must prevail for the victims of genocide, forced disappearances, and crimes against humanity.
To the Maya Ixil communities: we commit to continue to accompany and support all avenues in the pursuit of justice. We are grateful for your resistance and honor your work. We stand with you in your fight for truth, justice, and reconciliation. Your courage and resistance inspire movements for justice and human rights across the Americas and the world.

¡Si hubo genocidio!

• Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
• Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA)
• Interreligious Task Force on Latin America, Cleveland, Ohio (IRTF)
• Organization in Solidarity with the Guatemalan People, Chicago (OSGua)
• Latin America Solidarity Committee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Latin America Task Force of Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• The Friendship Office of the Americas, Greenbelt, Maryland
• Denver Justice & Peace Committee (DJPC)
• Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective, USA
• Calán Institute for Transterritorial Justice (CATRA), Honduras
• Honduras Solidarity Network of North America, USA, Canada
• Colectivo Alma de Izote, Chicago
• La voz de los de Abajo, Chicago
• Global Exchange, San Francisco, California
• Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA
• Alianzas of Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia
• SICSAL– OAR (Servicio Internacional Cristiano de Solidaridad con los pueblos de América Latina – Óscar Arnulfo Romero)
• Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS), Canada
• Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network (ARSN), Canada
• Providence Associates Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, Canada
• Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), USA
• Colectiva Ceiba, Chicago
• Guatemala Solidarity Project
• Guatemalanetz Bern, Switzerland
• Kickapoo Peace Circle
• African Immigration Initiative
• Provincial Council Clerics of St. Viator
• US – El Salvador Sister Cities
• Nobel Women’s Initiative, Canada
• Guatemala Solidarity Network Zurich, Switzerland
• University Church, Chicago