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). In preparation for the experience, delegates spent six months studying topics relevant to Cuba’s social, cultural, and political context led by Marilyn McKenna, Vimary Couvertier-Cruz, Dan Dale, and Jhonathan Gómez

Over ten days, delegates witnessed CMLK’s grassroots activism and liberatory Christian methodologies, which have empowered Cuban communities for over three decades. This delegation provided valuable insights into the challenges facing the Cuban people, worsened by harmful U.S. policies while fostering a deeper understanding of CMLK’s mission to inspire hope and build social change. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogues framed by Cuba’s history of resistance, leaving energized to advocate for policy changes in the United States.

The delegation was enriched by the collaboration with WFP, whose transnational efforts highlight the broader impacts of U.S. policies in the Americas. The trip emphasized inclusivity through collective fundraising and scholarships, ensuring diverse representation among participants. As we reflect on this journey, we celebrate the strengthened partnership with CMLK and remain steadfast in supporting the Cuban people’s pursuit of justice, equality, and dignity.

To see more photos, click here.

The January 2024 Guatemala delegation, organized by CRLN, was the culmination of months of planning and collaboration. With the support of various volunteers, including CRLN Co-Director Jhonathan Gomez, board members Cynthia Mazariegos de Fernandez, and Martha Pierce, this initiative brought together a dynamic group of participants to engage with social movements and human rights defenders in Guatemala.

The delegation, a unique opportunity for participants to engage with social movements and human rights defenders, furthered 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. These meetings provided firsthand insights into efforts to address migration, defend Indigenous rights, and support youth development, fostering deep discussions on the impact of U.S. policies and local resistance efforts. Visits to Casa de la Memoria and discussions with civil society leaders offered a comprehensive view of Guatemala’s history and ongoing struggles for justice, enriching the overall experience.

CRLN extends heartfelt gratitude to board members Cynthia Mazariegos de Fernandez and Martha Pierce for their exceptional leadership throughout the trip. Their commitment ensured the delegation’s success. This delegation underscores CRLN’s dedication to amplifying the voices of human rights defenders and creating spaces for solidarity and collaboration. The experience not only strengthened partnerships but also inspired participants to continue advocating for equity and justice in Guatemala and beyond.

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.

It is Raining, Let’s Relocate Indoors

Dear friends of CRLN, 

Thank you to all of you who have already donated to Pedal for Peace 2023. If you haven’t done so already, we kindly invite you to make a donation by clicking the “Donate Now to Pedal for Peace 2023” button above or by clicking here.

The Weather Service forecasts rain for tomorrow. If that happens our ¨IN CASE OF RAIN PLAN¨ is to gather at Centro Romero (6216 N Clark St) at 11am instead, which is about 4 blocks away from the park. Someone will be at the park to meet people and support those who did not see this email. Please let people know if you can.

If we don’t see rain, our plan is the same, meet at 11am, on Sunday, September 17, at Emmerson (Louis) Park (1820 W Granville Ave.) Those who can will ride their bikes, walk and run with us that day. The event will be two hours of biking, running, walking, and communal celebration. We have a brief program planned, which will start at 11am and wrap up around 1 pm. Following this, we will migrate a few blocks to Centro Romero (6216 N Clark St.) for refreshments, poetry readings, and to continue celebrating our friendship and solidarity.

On behalf of Centro Romero, Chicago-Cinquera Sister Cities, Chicago-Guatemala Partnership, and Concern America – we thank you and are looking forward to a celebration of friendship and solidarity.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at jgomez@crln.org.

En solidaridad y resistencia permanente,

Jhonathan F. Gómez

Join us for a Special Event with
Author Kathy Osberger

Kathleen Osberger has been a steadfast supporter and friend of CRLN for many years. Kathy is not only a dedicated human rights defender and activist but also a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who has provided crucial support to the human rights community in Chicago, particularly by offering care and counseling to trauma and torture survivors.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, September 21, at 7 pm at St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Chicago as we celebrate the launch of Kathy’s new memoir, “I Surrender.”

Kathy’s memoir is a powerful testimony to her experiences in Chile. In September of 1973, a coup d’état, with the backing of the United States, toppled the democratically elected socialist government of Salvador Allende. Kathy arrived in Chile in 1975, during the early years of the dictatorship. Upon her arrival, she was entrusted with a secret: the religious women she would be living with were providing refuge to dissidents targeted by Pinochet’s secret police. “I Surrender” vividly portrays the solidarity of the Chilean people and the transformative role played by nuns and priests dedicated to serving the poor, while highlighting the changing and challenged Catholic Church.

Books will be sold at the event. And if you cannot make it on September 21, we recommend you watch an interview where Kathy shares some of her ideas and feelings behind her book. Click here or below to see the interview.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at jgomez@crln.org.

En solidaridad y resistencia permanente,

Jhonathan F. Gómez

Join us for a Condensed / Smaller
Pedal for Peace 2023 Celebration

(You can download our flyers below)

As we approach the end of summer, CRLN enters a period of transition. Change can be both positive and necessary, but what remains unchanged is CRLN’s unwavering commitment to the liberation of the people of Latin America. Our work persists, it is part of our collective resistance and is driven by solidarity and our actions.

This year, the Pedal for Peace project will take on a more condensed format compared to previous years. Rest assured, we’ll still be bikes, as well as walking and running in our barrios. While it may not be as elaborate as before, our partner organizations – Centro Romero, Chicago-Cinquera Sister Cities, Chicago-Guatemala Partnership, and Concern America – are looking forward to a celebration of friendship and solidarity. And yes, we will continue to raise funds for our ongoing projects.

We kindly invite you to make a donation by clicking here.

Join us on Sunday, September 17, at 11 am on the north side of Chicago, at Emmerson (Louis) Park (1820 W Granville Ave.). The event will be two hours of biking, running, walking, and communal celebration. We have a brief program planned, which will start at 11am and wrap up around 1 pm. Following this, we will migrate a few blocks to Centro Romero (6216 N Clark St.) for refreshments, poetry readings, and to continue celebrating our friendship and solidarity.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at jgomez@crln.org.

En solidaridad y resistencia permanente,

Jhonathan F. Gómez

CRLN is glad to announce a special event in partnership DePaul Art Museum and host Human Rights defenders for a discussion on the legacy of Central American activism and solidarity in the 1980s, its influence in Chicago and the work for Human Rights today. International Solidarities: Panel with Current Central American Humanitarian Defenders will happen on Wednesday, April 19 at 6pm at the DePaul Art Museum. Our dear colleagues Daysi Funes, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Centro Romero, Yesenia Portillo from CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador) and Mario Venegas, a Human Rights defender from Chile with the Chicago Torture Justice Center and a torture survivor himself will participate in the panel. The event will be co-moderated by Lydia Saravia, faculty at DePaul University, both Lydia and Mario are CRLN board members and will add their unique experiences and thoughts to the event. Jhonathan F. Gómez, Latin America Program Coordinator will co-moderate the event. This event is directly related and a way for the people of Chicago to respond to the art exhibit ART FOR THE FUTURE: ARTISTS CALL AND CENTRAL AMERICAN SOLIDARITIES, which opened at the museum on March 23 and will be remain there until August 6, 2023. The exhibit “¨¨¨focuses on the seminal 1980s activist campaign, Artists Call Against US Intervention in Central America. Growing out of the friendships, solidarity networks, and political organizing amongst artists and activists such as Daniel Flores y Ascencio, Lucy Lippard, Doug Ashford, Leon Golub, and Coosje van Bruggen”.

This event is also presented in partnership with DePaul University’s Center for Latino Research and the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse.

‣ Please register here.
‣ Additional information here.

Contact Jhonathan F. Gómez at jgomez@crln.org to learn more.

We also recommend this video by PBS NewsHour on the exhibit