Óscar Romero Commemoration Event
Sunday, April 7, from 3:30 to 6:00pm
Inga Bookstore (Pilsen neighborhood)
1740 W. 18th St., Chicago, IL 60608

Join us on Sunday, April 7th, at 3:30pm as we come together to honor the life and legacy of Saint Óscar Romero. CRLN is delighted to partner with the Alma de Izote collective (Yuca Flower) for a special commemorative event dedicated to celebrating Saint Óscar Romero’s profound impact. His enduring influence holds special significance for CRLN, evident in his portrayal within our logo. Romero’s dedication to justice serves as a guiding light for our own efforts.

This year is the 44th anniversary of his martyrdom. We would not be CRLN if we didn’t mention that he was killed during the war in El Salvador in 1980s by the infamous death squads, which were backed and funded by the U.S government. To his legacy we say ¡San Romero Vive! ¡Presente!

Alma de Izote is a newly formed solidarity group comprising individuals from the El Salvador community and allies, united in their commitment to fostering social, cultural, and political education and dialogue within the Chicago community.

The event will feature a screening of the documentary “Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero,” followed by an insightful discussion and commentary led by esteemed Human Rights Defender from El Salvador, Neris Gonzales, Reverend Dan Dale, and other speakers. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to enjoy food from El Salvador while experiencing live music.

We warmly invite you to join us for this meaningful occasion as we pay tribute to Saint Óscar Romero and his enduring legacy of justice and liberation. We look forward to sharing this experience with you.

“When all avenues of dialogue, understanding and rationality are closed, the Church speaks of the legitimate right to insurrectionary violence.”

“And if they kill me, I will be resurrected in the Salvadoran people.”

– Óscar Arnulfo Romero

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Oscar Romero Commemoration Event
Sunday, April 7, from 3:30 to 6:00pm
Inga Bookstore (Pilsen neighborhood)
1740 W. 18th St., Chicago, IL 60608

Join us on Sunday, April 7th, at 3:30pm as we come together to honor the life and legacy of Saint Oscar Romero. CRLN is delighted to partner with the Alma de Izote collective (Yuca Flower) for a special commemorative event dedicated to celebrating Saint Oscar Romero’s profound impact. His enduring influence holds special significance for CRLN, evident in his portrayal within our logo. Romero’s dedication to justice serves as a guiding light for our own efforts.

This year is the 44th anniversary of his martyrdom. We would not be CRLN if we didn’t remind you that he was killed during the war in El Salvador in 1980s which was backed and funded the infamous death squads. To his legacy we say ¡San Romero Vive! ¡Presente!

Alma de Izote is a newly formed solidarity group comprising individuals from the El Salvador community and allies, united in their commitment to fostering social, cultural, and political education and dialogue within the Chicago community.

The event will feature a screening of the documentary “Monseñor: The Last Journey of Oscar Romero,” followed by an insightful discussion and commentary led by esteemed Human Rights Defender from El Salvador, Neris Gonzales, Reverend Dan Dale, and other speakers. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to enjoy food from El Salvador while enjoying live music.

We warmly invite you to join us for this meaningful occasion as we pay tribute to Saint Oscar Romero and his enduring legacy of justice and liberation. We look forward to sharing this experience with you.

“When all avenues of dialogue, understanding and rationality are closed, the Church speaks of the legitimate right to insurrectionary violence.”

“And if they kill me, I will be resurrected in the Salvadoran people.”

– Óscar Arnulfo Romero

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Rescheduled Open House!

We have rescheduled our Open House to be able to welcome two of our partners from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Havana. Reverend Izett Samá Hernández and Loyet García Broche have at long last received U.S. visas and can join us in person for a week of events.

We are planning a fun virtual Open House! You will have a chance to meet the staff, learn about our projects, and meet others from the CRLN community! We hope to see you virtually!!

Virtual Open House on Thursday, May 9 on Zoom.

6:30 PM Program

7:30 PM Q&A

RSVP Here!

 

Click here for In-Person Open House on April 13 information and RSVP. 

More event information on our calendar.

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Rescheduled Open House!

We have rescheduled our Open House to be able to welcome two of our partners from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Havana. Reverend Izett Samá Hernández and Loyet García Broche have at long last received U.S. visas and can join us in person.

In-person Open House on Saturday, April 13 at University Church at 5655 South University Avenue
3:00 pm Program
4:00 Mingle, Visit info tables about CRLN projects and partners

We are planning a fun afternoon! You will have a chance to meet the staff, learn about our campaigns, and meet others from the CRLN community! We are also planning a virtual Open House more information here.

We hope to see you in person or virtually!!

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Blanca Valladares de Red COMAL en Honduras comparte cómo la agricultura comunitaria, las cooperativas y los productos locales han respaldado a las comunidades en resistencia durante los últimos 30 años.

Celebrating Community Alternatives- Blanca Valladares from Red COMAL in Honduras shares how for 30 years, community agriculture, cooperatives, and local products have supported communities in resistance.

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​Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice centers racial and economic justice as we address the root causes of violence from oppression, poverty, environmental devastation, patriarchy, and war.

Thanks to our co-sponsors Church of the Good Shepherd, U of M Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America.

Register Here

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On Sunday, November 12, 2023, the InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) will commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Clevelanders in El Salvador. On December 2, 1980—four women (including CWRU alumna, Jean Donovan and Ursuline Sister, Dorothy Kazel) paid with their lives for deciding to stay in solidarity with oppressed and marginalized peoples, despite political turmoil in El Salvador.

Register Here

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From a young age, Patricia Perez exhibited a profound interest in art, inspired by her maternal grandmother’s crafting and garment-making from hand-drawn patterns. At the tender age of nine, she delved into oil painting on canvas by observing re-runs of Bill Alexander’s “The Joy of Oil Painting” on PBS. Her artistic journey led her to study at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and complete her art degree at Northeastern Illinois University, where she also pursued a minor in Latino and Latin American Studies, an influential element in her artistic expression.

During her time at NEIU, Patricia discovered her passion for sharing the creative process with communities, offering visual arts classes, and engaging with everyday people. Hailing from the Guatemala and Puerto Rico diaspora, she has been a dedicated mentor and educator, empowering students and establishing platforms for exploring identity and social justice issues in Chicago.

While her connection with CRLN is recent, her impact has been remarkable. In May 2023, she led a collaborative mural project commemorating the people who were martyrs and disappeared during Guatemala’s Internal Armed Conflict. Presenting the mural at a special event, she honored their memory and stories. Subsequently, in October, Patricia co-led a pilot mural initiative with Red COMAL, one of our partner organizations in Honduras. This project initiated with online Zoom classes focusing on color theory and history, culminating in her journey to Siguatepeque, Honduras. There, she provided support and collaborated with community members and youth from Red COMAL, shedding light on historical injustices and uplifting the work of people in the community and the work of Red COMAL over the last 30 years. This pilot program is very special because we are celebrating with Red COMAL 30 years of work in Honduras through the transformative power of art.

Presently, Patricia is engrossed in her upcoming painting series, drawing inspiration from the stories of migrant children and their families.

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Join us for a presentation sharing Red Comal’s experiences and insights into the landscape of human rights, art, and alternative agriculture in Honduras. This is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the current human rights situation in Honduras, contextualized through the lens of our esteemed partner’s work. Our honored special guest for the evening is Blanca Esmeralda Valladares from Red Comal in Honduras.

Register Here

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Blanca Esmeralda Valladares, a native of Santa Cruz de Jojoa in the department of Cortés, Honduras. She is married to Lawyer Juan Angel Rivera Tabora, and they have two children: Louisiana and Lee Rivera Valladares, both of whom are doctors.

Mrs. Valladares is a Notary and Lawyer, and she is a member of the Bar Association of Honduras. Her educational background includes studies at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, UNAH). Early in her career as an independent lawyer, she dedicated herself to supporting farmworkers and advocating for the human rights of Indigenous people. 

In collaboration with the Catholic Church of the Department of Yoro, she co-founded the organization “El Socorro Jurídico Vicarial,” an institution committed to defending, promoting, and protecting human rights, with a primary focus on safeguarding the rights to land and water for agricultural purposes, as well as the preservation of Honduras’ natural resources.

In 1994, she assumed the role of a Judge of the Supreme Court of Justice of Honduras and served two terms. In 2002, she made the decision to leave her judicial position to continue her work as an independent lawyer, with a particular emphasis on providing legal support within the Reflection, Research, and Communication Team of the Society of Jesus (Equipo de Reflexión, Investigación y Comunicación, de la Compañía de Jesús, ERIC).

Over the past six years, she has been an active volunteer at the community radio station RADIO PAIS, focusing on family and educational content. In her capacity as a lawyer, she is dedicated to ensuring that the Right to Justice is not only a concept but a practical reality in Honduras. She recognizes that the pursuit of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights is an ongoing and formidable challenge.

Serving as an advisor and board member of the Alternative Community Marketing Network (Red de Comercialización Comunitaria Alternativa, RED COMAL), she ardently advocates for the human rights of farmworkers, indigenous communities, and women. Blanca actively promotes their work and campaigns, which they have been diligently pursuing for over thirty years, in support of food production through sustainable agriculture and ecological practices, emphasizing respect for the land and human well-being.

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