NOTICIA:

Después de unos días cuando comunidades Afro-Colombianas ocuparon la Panamericana en el Norte de Cauca, y después de sostener ataques de gas lacrimógeno y balas de goma por parte de las fuerzas de seguridad, oficiales locales y federales comenzaron a negociar con las comunidades. Afro-Colombianxs organizadxs insisten que sus territorios sean reconocidos y respetados ahora y durante la implementación de los Acuerdos de Paz. Mientras negocian, muchos de los líderes Afro-Colombianos están recibiendo amenazas por actores paramilitares. CRLN y muchos otros demandan que estos paramilitares sean desmobilizados si el Proceso de Paz en realidad llevará paz al país.


Haga click aquí para apoyar la expansión del Proceso de Paz

entre el estado Colombiano y los guerilleros ELN. Estaremos en comunicación continua con más oportunidades de acción y mientras tanto,

haga click aquí para una oportunidad de ir a una delegación

enfocada en lo que está pasando en Colombia en este momento clave de la historia del país.

—————————

De 4/27/2016: La semana pasada, CRLN estuvo en Washington DC, hablando con miembros del Congreso de Illinois pidiendo que apoyen una Comisión Étnica en las negociaciones de paz de Colombia en Havana, Cuba. Ahora,

2,000 Afrocolombianxs están bloqueando la Panamericana en Cauca

exigiendo respeto para sus territorios ancestrales según Ley 70 & que sus comunidades y pueblos Indígenas tengan un lugar en la mesa de negociación para terminar con una guerra que les ha afectado desproporcionadamente mas:

Lxs manifestantes piden diálogos con el estado Colombianx para hacer posible esta Comisión Étnica representando gente Afrocolombiana y pueblos Indígenas.


En vez de diálogos, están atacados con gas lacrimógeno y balas de goma.



¿Qué puedo hacer?




  1. Llame



    su miembro del Congreso


    y pida que: “contacte el Departamento del Estado para urgir un fin inmediato a las agresiones contra las manifestaciones pacíficas de Afrocolombianxs en Cauca. En vez de atacar, el estado Colombiano debe de dialogar con estas comunidades porque diálogo, no violencia, crea paz. Por favor exprese su apoyo para voces Afrocolomianas e Indígenas en la mesa de negociación de paz por una Comisión Étnica.”
  2. Mandar mensajes de Twitter a Presidente Santos: “.

    @JuanManSantos, @carmeninesVicen Nos preocupa mucho: reportes q niños Afrocolombianos están afecatdox por acciones de ESMAD en Cauca!”


  3. Done para apoyar a los esfuerzos de las comunidades Afrocolombianas organizadas


    para exigir respeto a sus territorios y un lugar en la mesa de necociación.




¿Cómo puedo ver noticias de la situación?




Sigue la página de Facebook de CRLN


y vea el


sitio de la Red de Solidaridad con Afrocolombianxs


, de cual CRLN es una organización miembo.



¿Por qué es tan importante esta situación?


Comunidades Afros e Indígenas han sido afectados desproporcionadamente por cinco décadas de guerra civil, desplazadas de sus territorios ancestrales reconocidos legalmente, e invadidos por industrias extractivas y otros intereses privados. Si la gente más afectada por la violencia no tienen voz en decidir como termina la violencia, no somos optimistas de los resultados de las Negociaciones de Paz.



¿Qué ha sido la respuesta del estado Colombiano?


Hasta ahora, la respuesta es gas lacrimógeno (que mandó a tres niños al hospital), bombas de humo, y balas de goma. La gente exigen diálogo, no violencia.

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From the Fellowship of Reconciliation Website:

In July 2007, FOR and the American Friends Service Committee released a report documenting the first-person experiences of women peace activists in Colombia. “I Will Never Be Silenced: Testimonies of Hope from Colombian Woman” highlights the words and work of 13 women from throughout Colombia – rural and urban, old and young, Afro-Colombian, indigenous and mestizo, artists, religious, political, feminists. These women have tirelessly and fearlessly worked to create peace and justice.

Order your copy today!

Elizabeth Lozano explains in the report’s introduction:

“The violence faced by women is not only inflicted by the machetes, guns, and landmines of the ‘enemy.’ It is also carried out by ‘friendly’ fire, so to speak, in the woman’s daily life. This is the normalized violence exercised without the weapons of war, and manifested in abusive marital relations, implicit or explicit threats of rape, absence of education opportunities, lack of sexual education, and in the general expectation that her right place is the kitchen and the bedroom.”

“I Will Never Be Silenced” brings to readers women who endure these various forms of violence to speak about their experiences and their work to end the violence and impunity in their country.

The 40-page report is available for $6 postpaid for individual copies, or $30 for 10 copies, postpaid.


To order your copy

, please send a check to the FOR office at:

2017 Mission St, 2nd Floor

San Francisco, CA 94110

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Español aquí


Photo: Government and FARC negotiators finalize details of the Peace Accords where the Ethnic Chapter will be included

After four and a half years of preliminary and formal negotiations and 52 years of war, the Colombian state and FARC guerillas have concluded their peace negotiations and finalized the Peace Accords.

This moment is certainly historic and will mark the first experience of official peace ever experienced by many Colombians. And while we celebrate an end to the fighting between the Colombian state and FARC guerrillas, we also know that the months and years to come will be deeply challenging as real peace is hopefully established for the many sides of Colombian society, not just these two sides of the armed conflict.

CRLN first heard about the finality of the Accords on Tuesday, August 23rd, when our partners at Black Communities’ Process (PCN, their acronym in Spanish) alerted us that the agreements would be signed without the inclusion of an ‘Ethnic Chapter’. For years, African descendant and Indigenous communities have been fighting for a place at the negotiating tables and have organized themselves into an Ethnic Commission constituted by the National Afro-Colombian Peace Council (CONPA), the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), and the High Government of Indigenous Authorities.

The Ethnic Commission is crucial to a successful and sustainable peace, because much of the peace process concerns rural land that is ancestral territory to the disproportionately African descendant and Indigenous survivors of displacement and violence.

The Ethnic Commission drafted an in-depth ‘Ethnic Chapter’ for the negotiating parties to include in their final accords that would help guarantee successful implementation of the accords in many rural, Indigenous and African-descendant territories. This Ethnic Chapter represents the concerns of organized communities most affected by the violence of the conflict and will help ensure that this final agreement complies with international and Colombian law and anti-racism agreements.

When the Ethnic Commission called for action on Tuesday morning, CRLN and coalition partners across the country responded with as much pressure as possible on Colombian and U.S. officials to include the Ethnic Chapter in the final accord language. Black and Indigenous leaders flew to Havana late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to negotiate the final version of the Ethnic Chapter. Late on Wednesday night, August 24th, we heard from Colombian partners that the ethnic chapter was included, albeit reduced from nine pages to four, in the official Colombian Peace Accords.

Due to consistent pressure, solidarity work and on the ground mobilizations by African descendant and Indigenous peoples, the Ethnic Commission has helped shape what peace will look like in their territories for the mostly Black and Indigenous survivors of violence, most of whom are women.

At CRLN, we will continue working in coalition with national and international allies until true peace is achieved in Colombia. We will continue monitoring the situation as the accords move through a plebiscite vote by the Colombian people. We’ll continue following the lead of our partners in Colombia’s Ethnic Commission, who will be monitoring the implementation of the Accords, ensuring that the Colombian state integrate the Ethnic Commission’s recommendations for peace in their communities.

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Honorable Members of the United States Congress, Washington D.C.

Dear Members of Congress:

We, the undersigned, are U.S. and Colombian people of faith, convinced that God calls us to be on the side of the weak, the victims and the poor.  For this reason, as representatives of numerous faith communities and churches, we come to you because we understand that soon you will consider two pieces of legislation that would have a significant impact on Colombia and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.  We write in the hope that your decisions may build the foundation for dignified life for all and promote the justice and peace that we so desire.

For more than 50 years Colombia has suffered through armed conflict, violence, inequalities and injustices.  The civilian population is most affected by the armed conflict.  More than four million people have been displaced from their lands.  This conflict kills more than 3,000 people annually and tens of thousands of paramilitary and guerrilla victims today call for truth, justice and reparations.  Meanwhile, the United Nations indicates that more than 45 percent of the Colombian population lives in poverty.

We have closely followed the congressional debates regarding human rights in Colombia and the balance between U.S. military and social aid for Colombia.  We applauded Congress’ achievement last year when you cut $142 million in military aid and added $97 million in social aid to the aid package.  We know that this year President George Bush has once again called on Congress to pass an aid package with approximately 75 percent in military aid.  We, who work with the victims of the conflict or accompany them from the United States, hope that congress prioritizes work for peace and socio-economic assistance rather than military aid.

At the same time, we know that Congress may soon consider the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement negotiated between Colombia and the United States.  Being faithful to our principles, we must view any public policy from the point of view of the poor and the victims.

Therefore, in Colombia we must consider how the trade agreement would affect what the United Nations estimates are the close to nine million Colombians living in rural areas – the family farmer, the indigenous and the Afro-Colombians – 80 percent of whom live in poverty, according to USAID.

According to the United Nations, 21 percent of employed Colombians work in Agriculture, the vast majority in rural areas.  Research on the impact of free trade agreements between underdeveloped countries, such as Colombia, and countries with large economies, such as he United States, show that underdeveloped countries lose a significant number of agricultural jobs.  For example, independent studies indicate that in Mexico at least 1.3 million family farmers have been displaced from their agricultural production due to subsidized imports from the United States.

While in Mexico many of these family farmers have attempted to survive by migrating into the United States, in Colombia there would be a risk of increasing the number of internally displaced persons, a population that is already the second largest in the world.  We are deeply concerned that the livelihood of the rural population – individuals who have already suffered greatly from the consequences of the armed conflict – would be further put at risk by this trade agreement.  This population would then face decisions that have historically reproduced violence and poverty in Colombia; migration to urban settings, forced internal displacement, illicit crop production, recruitment by illegal armed groups, among other ill-fated consequences.

We are also concerned that the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement would put Colombians’ food security at risk, as the country would, in large part, be dependent on U.S. imports for basic grains and other key foods for daily consumption.  Furthermore, this trade agreement does not have sufficient protection for workers nor the environment.  Such labor protections are particularly important in Colombia, the country with the highest number of murdered trade unionists.  And without necessary environmental protections in the agreement, we would be jeopardizing Colombia’s environment, considered the second most bio-diverse in the world.

For that reason, we ask you, honorable members of Congress, to take into account the following requests before considering the proposed aid to Colombia or the ratification of the free trade agreement.

  • Further cut U.S. military aid and aerial fumigation, which does not bring us closer to peace in Colombia, while significantly increasing aid for the poor, the displaced, refugees and the victims of the armed conflict.
  • Insist that the State Department strongly enforce the human rights conditions in law, which is especially important as we are seeing a concerning increase in killings of civilians as well as other human rights violations attributed to the Colombian Armed Forces.
  • Do not ratify a U.S. – Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which would increase the already concerning poverty rate among rural Colombians, would put Colombia’s food security at risk and lacks sufficient protections for workers and Colombia’s bio-diverse environment.
Esteemed members of Congress, we ask that you consider our concerns in order to find the authentic paths for justice and peace in Colombia, the United States and the world.
Sincerely,

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A fines de 2016 y 2017, se aprobaron los Acuerdos de Paz entre el gobierno colombiano y el grupo rebelde más grande la FARC y una nueva ronda de conversaciones de paz fue iniciada entre el gobierno y el grupo rebelde más pequeño, ELN. En este punto, la FARC se ha desmovilizado y sus miembro se están trasladando a “campamentos” designados, donde vivirán por un tiempo asignado antes de ser libres para trasladarse. Se les ha dado el derecho de formar un partido político y dirigir candidatos para cargos públicos.

Sin embargo, otros grupos armados que no formaron parte de los Acuerdos de Paz todavía recorren el campo y se mueven con sus armas entre los espacios que la FARC controlaba. Estos son los sucesores de los grupos paramilitares de derecha supuestamente desmantelados hace diez años. La gente local, a la cual aterrorizan, dicen que estos nuevos grupos son formados por muchas de las mismas personas que pertenecían a los grupos paramilitares anteriores. También dicen que las fuerzas de seguridad nacionales no hacen nada para detener la violencia paramilitar, incluso cuando están estacionadas cerca y se les pide que lo hagan.

Estos grupos armados a menudo han sido desplegados para promover intereses privados en tierras valiosas -por ejemplo, desplazar violentamente a comunidades de pequeños terratenientes para proporcionar tierras a individuos o corporaciones ricas y que asi planten plantaciones de aceite de palma. En el 2017, ya más de 6 millones de personas han sido desplazadas violentamente de sus tierras en Colombia durante la guerra de más de 50 años.

Desde diciembre de 2016, estos grupos paramilitares reorganizados han comenzado a agitarse, particularmente en zonas con poblaciones indígenas africanas y han matado a cientos de personas. No hay paz, a pesar de los Acuerdos de Paz, en las muchas áreas donde estos grupos están activos. Sin un cierto compromiso por parte del gobierno colombiano de desarmar y desmantelar a estos grupos paramilitares reorganizados, no habrá paz en Colombia. Tampoco habrá paz si los miembros de los grupos paramilitares que han cometido violaciones a los derechos humanos están sujetos a las mismas normas de justicia que los miembros de la FARC durante el período de justicia transicional en el camino hacia la paz.

Antes de que dejara el cargo, el presidente Obama había prometido 450 millones de dólares a Colombia, la mayor parte de la cual se debe dar a las ONGs en lugar del gobierno, para apoyar la implementación de los Acuerdos de Paz. Aunque CRLN apreció el desvío de fondos militares a fondos para la paz, pensamos que estos fondos serían mejor utilizados si se distribuye directamente a los grupos de base colombianos activos en los lugares locales donde acuerdos de paz deben realizarse entre los ex combatientes en lados opuestos de la guerra o entre los combatientes de ambos lados y a civiles sobrevivientes de la violencia. Este puede ser un punto discutible, ya que el Presidente Trump y su Secretario de Estado, Rex Tillerson, han señalado que Estados Unidos puede retirar totalmente el apoyo del proceso de paz de Colombia. Debemos defender el apoyo continuo al proceso de paz, dada su fragilidad y los desafíos que enfrenta.


CRLN va a estar presente en Washington DC del 21 al 24 de abril, visitando la delegación de Illinois en el Congreso. ¡Envíe su firma a Washington DC con CRLN!​ Nuestra demanda sera financiamiento para implementar los Acuerdos de Paz en Colombia y para que funcionarios colombianos desmantelen paramilitares aún activos en el país.

¡Únase a nuestras cartas aqui!

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Thanks to all those who participated in Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia. This year, nearly 500 faith leaders representing approximately 20 denominations from the U.S. and Colombia sent a letter to members of Congress, urging them to end military aid and aerial spraying and to oppose the U.S.-Colombia FTA.  If you’re active in your faith community, feel free to share it there.

You can also send it to your Senators and Representative with a short cover note, asking them to reduce military aid to Colombia in the upcoming foreign aid bill.  To keep your members of Congress informed, click here

https://www.crln.org/Foreign_Aid_Bill08

 

In the letter below, over four hundred church representatives-representing over 4.3 million Protestant, Catholic and Evangelical churchgoers and 20,000 congregations in the United States and Colombia-write to Congress to express their views on U.S. military and socio-economic assistance to Colombia as well as the pending U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement.

Signatories to the letter include the heads of the U.S. and Colombian Presbyterian Churches, the United Church of Christ, the Colombian Methodist Church, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, the U.S. and Colombian Mennonite Churches, the Colombian Conference of Men and Women Religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and a Catholic Bishop. Additionally, hundreds of regional and local church leaders from across the United States and Colombia, representing nearly twenty denominations, signed this letter.

The letter’s signatories call on Congress to:

• Further cut U.S. military aid to Colombia and aerial fumigation, which does not bring Colombia closer to peace, while significantly increasing aid for the poor, the displaced, refugees and the victims of Colombia’s armed conflict.

• Insist that the State Department strongly enforce the human rights conditions in law, key today due to an increase in killings of civilians as well as other human rights violations attributed directly to the Colombian Armed Forces.

• Do not ratify the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which would increase the already concerning poverty rate among rural Colombians, would put Colombia’s food security at risk and lacks sufficient protections for workers and Colombia’s bio-diverse environment.

U.S. and Colombian Church Leaders Call on Congress to Substantially Reduce Military Aid, to Strengthen Human Rights Protections and to Vote No on the U.S.-Colombia FTA.

 

And the work of righteousness shall be peace;

and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Isaiah 32.17

 

Honorable Members of the United States Congress Washington, D. C.

 

Dear Members of Congress:

We, the undersigned, are U.S. and Colombian people of faith, convinced that God calls us to be on the side of the weak, the victims and the poor. For this reason, as representatives of numerous faith communities and churches, we come to you because we understand that soon you will consider two pieces of legislation that would have a significant impact on Colombia-U.S. military and social assistance through Plan Colombia and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. We write in the hope that your decisions may build the foundation for dignified life for all and promote the justice and peace that we so desire.

For more than 50 years Colombia has suffered through armed conflict, violence, inequalities and injustices. The civilian population is most affected by the armed conflict. More than four million people have been displaced from their lands. This conflict kills more than 3,000 people annually and tens of thousands of paramilitary and guerrilla victims today call for truth, justice and reparations. Meanwhile, the United Nations indicates that more than 45 percent of the Colombian population lives in poverty.

We have closely followed the congressional debates regarding human rights in Colombia and the balance between U.S. military and social aid for Colombia. We applauded Congress’ achievement last year when you cut $142 million in military aid and added $97 million in social aid to the aid package. We know that this year President George Bush has once again called on Congress to pass an aid package with approximately 75 percent in military aid. We, who work with the victims of the conflict or accompany them from the United States, hope that Congress prioritizes work for peace and socio-economic assistance rather than military aid.

At the same time, we know that Congress may soon consider the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement negotiated between Colombia and the United States. Being faithful to our principles, we must view any public policy from the point of view of the poor and the victims. Therefore, in Colombia we must consider how the trade agreement would affect what the United Nations estimates are the close to nine million Colombians living in rural areas-the family farmer, the indigenous and the Afro-Colombians-80 percent of whom live in poverty, according to USAID.

According to the United Nations, 21 percent of employed Colombians work in agriculture, the vast majority in rural areas. Research on the impact of free trade agreements between underdeveloped countries, such as Colombia, and countries with large economies, such as the United States, show that underdeveloped countries lose a significant number of agricultural jobs. For example, independent studies indicate that in Mexico at least 1.3 million family farmers have been displaced from their agricultural production due to subsidized imports from the United States.

While in Mexico many of these family farmers have attempted to survive by migrating into the United States, in Colombia there would be a risk of increasing the number of internally displaced persons, a population that is already the second largest in the world. We are deeply concerned that the livelihood of the rural population-individuals who have already suffered greatly from the consequences of the armed conflict-would be further put at risk by this trade agreement. This population could then face decisions that have historically reproduced violence and poverty in Colombia: migration to urban settings, forced internal displacement, illicit crop production, recruitment by illegal armed groups, among other ill-fated consequences.

We are also concerned that the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement would put Colombians’ food security at risk, as the country would, in large part, be dependent on U.S. imports for basic grains and other key foods for daily consumption. Furthermore, this trade agreement does not have sufficient protection for workers nor the environment. Such labor protections are particularly important in Colombia, the country with the highest number of murdered trade unionists. And without necessary environmental protections in the agreement, we would be jeopardizing Colombia’s environment, considered the second most bio-diverse in the world.

For that reason, we ask you, honorable members of Congress, to take into account the following requests before considering the proposed aid to Colombia or the ratification of the free trade agreement.



Further cut U.S. military aid and aerial fumigation, which does not bring us closer to peace in Colombia, while significantly increasing aid for the poor, the displaced, refugees and the victims of the armed conflict.



Insist that the State Department strongly enforce the human rights conditions in law, which is especially important as we are seeing a concerning increase in killings of civilians as well as other human rights violations attributed to the Colombian Armed Forces.



Do not ratify a U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which would increase the already concerning poverty rate among rural Colombians, would put Colombia’s food security at risk and lacks sufficient protections for workers and Colombia’s bio-diverse environment.

Esteemed members of Congress, we ask that you consider our concerns in order to find the authentic paths for justice and peace for Colombia, the United States and the world.

Sincerely,

Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick Stated Clerk Presbyterian Church USA Rev. Juan Alberto Cardona Gomez Bishop Methodist Church of Colombia
Rev. John H. Thomas General Minister and President United Church of Christ Helis Barraza Diaz Moderator and President Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Rev. William G. Sinkford President Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Alix Lozano President Colombian Mennonite Church
Jim Schrag Executive Director Mennonite Church USA Sister Luz Marina Valencia President Conference of Men and Women Religious of Colombia
Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton Archdiocese of Detroit Ricardo Esquivia Peace Commission Coordinator Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Marie Lucey, OSF Associate Director Leadership Conference of Women Religious Jairo Barriga Jaraba Regional Secretary for Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela Latin American Council of Churches
James E. Winkler General Secretary General Board of Church and Society United Methodist Church Rev. Jairo Suárez Director Justice and Life Office Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia
Wayne Miller Bishop Metropolitan Chicago Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Sister Norma Inés Bernal Justice, Solidarity and Peace Coordinator Conference of Men and Women Religious of Colombia
The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal Conference Minister and President Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree Conference Minister Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ Father Javier Giraldo Moreno, S. J. Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback Conference Minister Central Atlantic Conference United Church of Christ Rev. John M Gantt Interim Conference Minister Central Pacific Conference United Church of Christ Father Emigdio Cuesta Pino SVD Provincial Counselor Missionaries of the Divine Word Colombia
Rev. Kent J. Siladi Conference Minister Florida Conference United Church of Christ Randy Hyvonen Conference Minister Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference United Church of Christ Sister Ester Giraldo S. Provincial Superior Consolata Missionaries Colombia
Duncan Smith Conference Minister Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference Mennonite Church USA Wayne Hochstetler Executive Conference Minister Illinois Conference of Mennonite Church USA Jaime A. León President Claretiana Norman Pérez Corporation Colombia
Rev. J. George Reed Executive Director North Carolina Council of Churches Rev. Jose Luis Casal General Missioner The Presbytery of Tres Rios Presbyterian Church USA Sister Gloria Cecilia Lodoño Provincial Compañía de María Order Colombia
Tom Milligan Moderator Presbytery of the Miami Valley Presbyterian Church USA The Rev. Shannan R. Vance-Ocampo Monmouth Presbytery Presbyterian Church USA María Irma Sánchez President Daughters of Jesus of Kermaría Colombia
Sister Jan E. Renz, ASC Regional Leader, U.S. Region Adorers of the Blood of Christ Rev. John McCullough Executive Director and CEO Church World Service María Tardecilla Campo Sisters of Our Lady of Peace Colombia
Dave Robinson Executive Director Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement Melinda St. Louis Executive Director Witness for Peace Sister Pilar Alonso Fernández Colombian Delegate Carmelitas of Charity Colombia
Mary Ellen McNish General Secretary American Friends Service Committee Arli Klassen Executive Director Mennonite Central Committee Sister Martha Lucia Mejía Local Coordinator Teresiana Colombia
Mark C. Johnson, Ph.D. Executive Director The Fellowship of Reconciliation Rick Ufford-Chase Executive Director Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Jorge A. Tobón Jaramillo Colombian Coordinator Brothers of Jesus Colombia
Joe Volk Executive Secretary Friends Committee on National Legislation Marie Dennis Director Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns Diana Milena Alzate Franco Community Director Sisters of the Sacred Family Colombia
Rev. Carol Rose Co-Director Christian Peacemaker Teams Cally Rogers-Witte Executive Minister of Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ and Co-executive, Global Ministries Sister Luz Marina Provincial Coordinator Santa Teresa de Jesus Community Colombia
David A. Vargas President, Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Co-Executive, Global Ministries Anne H. Griffis Chair National Action/Global Concerns Committee Church Women United Sister Silvia Conde Latin American Provincial Auxiliadoras del Purgatorio Congregation Colombia
T. Michael McNulty, SJ Justice and Peace Director Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) The Reverend Chris Pierson Director, Connectional Ministries Illinois Conference United Methodist Church Sister Yolanda Bocanegra Provincial Siervas de San José Colombia
Rev. Dr. Jerrold L. Foltz Associate Conference Minister Central Atlantic Conference United Church of Christ Rev. Patricia Barth Interim Associate Conference Minister Chesapeake Association Central Atlantic Conference United Church of Christ Claretianos Missionaries Western Province Colombia
The Rev. Dr. Lois K. Happe Regional Minister Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ Art Smoker Overseer, Tennessee-Carolina-Kentucky District Virginia Mennonite Conference Gloria Ulloa Executive Secretary Caribbean Coast Presbytery Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Rev Dr Michael S Penn-Strah South Central Regional Minister Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ Virgil Vogt Associate Conference Minister Illinois Mennonite Conference Rev. Diego Higuita Executive Secretary Caribbean Coast Synod Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Richard A.White Administration Ministry Team Central Pacific Conference United Church of Christ Sherry Mason Taylor Associate Conference Minister New Jersey Association Central Atlantic Conference United Church of Christ Rev. David Illidge Executive Secretary of the Central Presbytery Presbyterian Church of Colombia
David J Dutschke Parish Social Ministry Department Catholic Charities of Louisville Inc. Louisville, KY Gary Hougen Chair, Board of Church and Society Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Church Osvaldo Ardila Frías Executive Secretary Colombian Ecumenical Network
Edgar Hiestand Ecumenical/Interreligious Office Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Church Alka Lyall Chair, Outreach Ministry Area Northern Illinois Conference United Methodist Church Christians for Justice and Peace Colombia
Larry Greenfield Executive Minister American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago Joetta Venneman Office of Global Ministries on behalf of Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Congregational Leadership Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Nazareth, KY Sister Cecilia Naranjo B Member of the Sacred Heart Order Representative Interreligious Justice and Peace Commission Colombia
Sr. Marian Durkin, CSA For the Congregational Leaders Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Richfield, OH Sister Agnes Johnson, OP Vice President Racine Dominicans Racine, WI Jenny Neme Director Christian Center for Justice, Peace and Nonviolent Action-Justapaz Colombia
Sister Margaret Bulmer, CCVI Office of Social Concerns Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Houston, TX Sister Marge Wissman, OSF Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Director Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, IN Carol Byler Director The Colombian Mennonite Foundation for Development (MENCOLDES) Colombia
Sister Kristine Vorenkamp Director of Religious Education Sisters of the Living Word Sister Jean Verber Coordinator Justice Outreach Office Racine Dominicans Jairo Muñoz Muñoz Director Fundación SERCOLDES Colombia
Provincial Council Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) Rev. Deborah Blood Chair of the Board of Directors United Church of Christ Wider Church Ministries and Common Global Ministries Amparo Beltrán Co-Director Grassroots Communication Center for Latin America (CEPALC) Colombia
Rev. Felix Ortiz-Cotto Executive Latin America and the Caribbean Global Ministries Rob Keithan Director, Washington Office for Advocacy Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations Luz Dary Guerrero Coordinator Theological Studies Ministerial Program -PROMESA Colombia
Jean Stokan Policy Director Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement Sara Pottschmidt Lisherness Director, Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry General Assembly Council Presbyterian Church USA Rev. John Hernandez Director Lutheran Theological Seminary Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia
Rev. Dr. Mari E. Castellanos Justice and Witness Ministries United Church of Christ Barbara Gerlach Colombia Liaison Justice and Witness Ministries United Church of Christ Fabio Alonso Meza Ramírez Coordinator Ecumenical Peace School Colombia
Adonna R. Bowman Executive Director, Office of Disciples Women Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell Director, World Mission Presbyterian Church USA Albeiro Santana Pinzón Secretary General Apostolic Christian Evangelical Church of Colombia
N. Sharon Leatherman President Church Women United in Maryland Joan S. Brown President Ohio State Board of Church Women United Alba Luz Arrieta Cabrales National Coordinator Violence Alternatives Program Colombia
Judy Reimer President Nebraska Church Women United Marla McGarry-Lawrence Convener, Oregon Chapter Episcopal Peace Fellowship Jhon Fredy Cardona H. Western Regional Peace Commission Coordinator Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Jim Vondracek Managing Director Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America Brian Stefan-Szittai InterReligious Task Force on Central America Cleveland, OH Daniel Vargas R. Tolima Peace Commission Coordinator Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
David Horvath and Pat Geier Co-Chairs Kentucky Interfaith Taskforce on Latin America and the Caribbean Louisville, KY Paul Horst Colombia Sanctuary Project Coordinator Chicago Metropolitan Sanctuary Alliance Luz Amanda Valencia G. Women’s Network for Life and Peace Coordinator Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Anne Barstow Co-Coordinator Presbyterian Accompaniment Program in Colombia Rev. Michael Joseph Global Ministries Missionary Peace Commission of the Evangelical Council of Colombia* Karina Torres Meriño Documentation for Advocacy Program Coordinator Peace Commission of the Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Cynthia Lapp Pastor Hyattsville Mennonite Church Hyattsville, MD The Rev. John A. Nelson Pastor and Teacher Niantic Community Church (UCC/UMC) Niantic, CT Lucia Teresa Cardona Herrera Western Region Coordinator of Advocacy and Conflict Resolution Peace Commission of the Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
The Reverend Cheryl Pyrch Associate Pastor Rutgers Presbyterian Church New York, NY Patsy Taylor Griffith Lay Leadership Hope Presbyterian Church Austin, TX Martín Peinado Documentation for Advocacy Program Central Regional Coordinator Peace Commission of the Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Dr. Jim Henkelman-Bahn Christ Congregational United Church of Christ Silver Spring, MD Rev. Daniel Dale Pastor Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Chicago, IL Gladys Cecilia Cedeño Uribe Western Coordinator of the Women’s Network Peace Commission of the Colombian Council of Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Ryan Lambert Associate Minister First Congregational United Church of Christ Corvallis, OR Rev. Susan Leo Bridgeport United Church of Christ Portland, Oregon Wuillian Soto Rodriguez Pastor and Secretary Tolima Association of Evangelical Ministers Tolima, Colombia
Rob Hanson Sister Church Committee Chair Hyde Park Mennonite Church Boise, ID James F. Bundy Pastor Sojourners United Church of Christ Charlottesville, Virginia Henrry Martin Gonzalez Vice-President Tolima Association of Evangelical Ministers Tolima, Colombia
The Reverend Nancy Goede Pastor Mount Zion Lutheran Church Oak Lawn, IL Rev. Dr. Susan Newman Adjunct Minister Peoples Congregational UCC Washington, DC Rev. Milton Mejia Former Secretary General Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Rev. Joni Stoneking Forest Grove United Church of Christ Forest Grove, OR Rev. Dr. Donna J Martin Chaplain Heartland Hospice Baltimore, MD Miguel Ceballos Urbano President Nariño Association of Pastors Nariño, Colombia
Corliss Marsh The Dalles United Church of Christ The Dalles, OR Paul H. Saddler, D Min Pastor 12th Street Christian Church Washington, DC Jhon Jairo Londoño Valle Regional Coordinator Christian Crusade Church Valle, Colombia
Rev. Bee Neufeld Lake Oswego United Church of Christ (Congregational) Lake Oswego, OR Rev. Art Waidmann Bethesda United Church of Christ Bethesda, MD Marcial Marmolejo Zea Regional Coordinator for the Eje Cafetero, Northern Valle and Antioquia Evangelical Missionary Union Church Colombia
Rev. Pamela Shepherd Minister First Congregational United Church of Christ Ashland, OR Rev. John Clark Pegg United Church of Christ Pastor, retired Chair, Witness for Peace Board of Directors Duluth, MN Peter Stucky Pastor Teusaquillo Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Brenda Kame’enui First Congregational United Church of Christ Eugene, OR Rev. James E. Flynn Associate Pastor (ret) St. Mary’s Church Park City, UT Patricia Gallo Pastor Calarca Evangelical Missionary Union Church Quindío, Colombia
Rev. Caroline Zaworski First Congregational United Church of Christ Corvallis, OR Rev. Mansfield M. Kaseman Executive Director Community Ministries of Rockville Rockville, MD Rev. Eduardo Barajas Carrillo Pastor Emmanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church Santander, Colombia
Ann Legg Mission Outreach Committee Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church Crystal Lake, IL Rick Johnson Deacon Mission Outreach Ministry Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church Crystal Lake, IL María Elena Racines C. Pastor San Juan Evangelical Lutheran Church Santander, Colombia
Lois M. Congdon Ecumenical Concerns Chair Manatee County Church Women United Bradenton, FL Carmelita Dunn Sister of Charity of Nazareth Louisville, KY Mary Luz Merchán Cáceres Pastor Emmanuel Presbyterian Church Santander, Colombia
Carol Wilson Missions and Social Concerns Team Leader Cheshire United Methodist Church Cheshire, CT The Rev. Dr. Sharon H. Ringe Professor of New Testament Wesley Theological Seminary* Washington, DC Rev. Omar Alberto Girón Jiménez Pastor Baptist Christian Church Santander, Colombia
J. Gregory Johnson Board Member Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ Beaverton, OR Rev. Beth A. O’Malley Pastor Columbia United Christian Church Columbia, MD Luis Alberto Rubiano Evangelist Christ the King and Lord Mission Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Paul B. Robinson (retired) United Church of Christ Medford, OR Rev. James A. Todhunter Christ Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Silver Spring, MD César García Pastor Torre Fuerte Church Mennonite Brethren Bogota, Colombia
Scot McGavin First Congregational United Church of Christ Boise, Idaho Rev. A. Rebecca West Associate Pastor Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ Washington, DC David Ricardo Garcia Gomez Pastor Missionary and Alliance Church of Colombia Bogotá, Colombia
David Hiebert Scottdale Mennonite Church Scottdale, PA Rev. John Cooper-Martin Rockville United Church Rockville, MD Pedro Miguel Garcia Torres Professor Emeritus Universidad del Atlantico, Colombia
Mary Smith Coordinator Church Women United of Chemung County (NY) Elmira, NY Rev. Allison C. G. Smith Pastor Bethesda United Church of Christ Bethesda, MD Esther González Calvo Pastor Peniel Foursquare Church Bolívar, Colombia
Bea Haledjian Church Women United Trinity United Methodist Church Bradenton, FL Rev. James Colvin Pastor United Church of Christ Congregational Plainfield, NJ José William Valencia Pastor Girardot Mennonite Church Cundinamarca, Colombia
Rev. Lynne Smouse López Pastor Ainsworth United Church of Christ Portland, OR Rev. Paul Bryant-Smith Pastor First Congregational Church River Edge, NJ Cecilia Obrepon Pastor Madrid Mennonite Church Cundinamarca, Colombia
Bryce Miller Pastor Shalom Mennonite Fellowship Tucson, AZ Parrish Jones Minister Presbyterian Church USA Lucila Pabon Treasurer Teusaquillo Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Sally Schreiner Youngquist Pastor Living Water Community Church (Mennonite Church USA) Chicago, IL Donna Mast Co-Pastor Scottdale Mennonite Church Scottdale, PA Edith Arenas Pastor Jehová Sama Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Mamie Broadhurst Associate Pastor First United Church of Oak Park Oak Park, IL Rev. Charles L. Wildman Senior Pastor (Ret.) Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ Arlington, VA Edgar Pérez Secretary Afro-Colombian Ministries Team Bogotá, Colombia
Michael B. Bogard Associate Pastor Eden Mennonite Church Moundridge, KS Alice H. Foltz Council Secretary Wellspring United Church of Christ Centreville, VA Sister Ayda Orobio Local Superior Mother Laura Missionary Valle, Colombia
Teresa Aeschliman Peace Advocate Asheville Mennonite Church Asheville, NC Rev. Dr. Debra L. Duke Pastor Paramus Congregational United Church of Christ Paramus, NJ Ana Débora Garcés Health Ministries Coordinator Juan Bonal Colombia
J. Roy Hunsberger Elder Asheville Mennonite Church Asheville, NC Just Peace Committee Peace United Church of Christ Duluth, MN Michele Tordi Missionary Combonianos Colombia
Steve Goering Pastor Columbus Mennonite Church Columbus, OH Rev. Verne Arens Pastor Little River United Church of Christ Annandale, VA Francisco Fabres Belen Mission Colombia
Rod Stafford Pastor Portland Mennonite Church Portland, OR Rev. Holly MillerShank Minister Grace United Church of Christ Lebanon, PA Sister Lilia Suarez Compañía de María Colombia
Dr. Brenda Martin Hurst Pastor Frazer Mennonite Church Frazer, PA Rev Catherine Oatman Pastor United Evangelical, United Church of Christ Baltimore, MD Sister Amparo Tarazona Teresiana Colombia
Dan Malloy-Good Minister of Peace, Justice, and Evangelism Frazer Mennonite Church Frazer, PA Robert Hardies Senior Minister All Souls Church, Unitarian Washington, DC Dominican Sisters of the Presentation Bucaramanga Province Colombia
J. Mark Frederick Pastor Perkasie Mennonite Church Perkasie, PA Reverend W.J. Mark Knutson Pastor Augustana Lutheran Church Portland, OR Gina Zabala Secretary of the Caribbean Coast Presbytery Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Anna Margaret Engle Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care Lindale Mennonite Church Harrisonburg, VA Rev. Spencer Bradford Pastor Durham Mennonite Church Durham, NC Jesús Vargas Treasurer of the Caribbean Coast Presbytery Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Margaret Foth Congregational Peace Advocate Park View Mennonite Church Harrisonburg, VA Rev. Susan G. Latourette Associate Pastor First Church of Christ, Congregational UCC Middletown, CT Procura Claretiana De Misiones Chocó, Colombia
Shirley Yoder Brubaker Pastor Community Mennonite Church Harrisonburg, VA Martha Deputy Treasurer Victory Harvest Mission Church Bowling Green, KY Our Lady of Carmen de Riosucio Parish Chocó, Colombia
Barbara B. Flinn President Church Women United of Saint Lucie County Port Saint Lucie, FL Catiana McKay Pastor United Church of Rogers Park Chicago, IL Mama-U Cultural Center Chocó, Colombia
Naury Sanchez-Citron Pentecostal Church of Puerto Rico McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Randall Spaulding Pastor The Covenant Mennonite Fellowship Sarasota, FL Seglares Claretianas Chocó, Colombia
Kendra Grams Presbyterian Church USA McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Barbara Krehbiel Gehring Co-pastor Manhattan Mennonite Church Manhattan, KS Tagachi Y Bete Missonary Teams Chocó, Colombia
Laetitia S. Wells Presbyterian Church USA McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Robert Yates Pastor Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church Harper, KS Josué Gutiérrez P. Governing Elder San Bernabé Presbyterian Church Bogotá, Colombia
Ketharine Miller Presbyterian Church USA McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Louise Ranck Chairperson of Justice and Spirituality Committee Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster Lancaster, PA Julio Alberto Suarez Pastor Elim Christian Community Church Tolima, Colombia
Kristin Black Presbyterian Church USA McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Peter Degree Pastor Northford Congregational Church, UCC Northford, CT Nelson Larrota Pastor Vision to the Nations Church Tolima, Colombia
Danna E. Gobal University Church Chicago, IL Rev Paige Besse-Rankin Pastor Woodmont United Church of Christ Milford, CT Elias Cañon Pastor Antioquia Christian Church Tolima, Colombia
Robert Saler Professor Lutheran School of Theology Chicago, IL Rev. Wendy Mathewson Campus Minister DePaul University Chicago, IL Alvaro Ardila Pastor Family of God Arch Church Tolima, Colombia
Allison Halles McCormick Theological Seminary Staff Chicago, IL Andrea Leonard Former Young Adult Volunteer in Mission Presbyterian Church USA Atlanta, GA Aureliano Sanchez Pastor Evangelical Crusade Church Tolima, Colombia
Christopher R. Bentlin McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Edward R. DeLair, Jr. Miami Valley Presbytery Staff Presbyterian Church USA Zanesfield, OH Carlos Alberto Fierro Pastor Doors of Zion Church Tolima, Colombia
Laura Ilardo Justice and Witness Ministry, Board Member United Church of Christ Phoenix, AZ Rev. Jean M. McCusker Pastor United Church of Christ East Windsor, CT Cesar Augusto Giraldo Pastor Doors of Zion Church Tolima, Colombia
The Rev. Dr. Don Beisswenger Professor Emeritus Vanderbilt Divinity School Nashville, TN John Stoltzfus Associate Pastor Lombard Mennonite Church Lombard, IL Alfonso Chacon Pastor Rebirth Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Sally Houck Pastor Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church Stillwater, OK Rev. Jonathan Scanlon Resident Pastor Central Presbyterian Church Atlanta, GA Idali Rivera Pastor Christian Alliance Church Tolima, Colombia
Bill Coop Co-chair, Bi-National Service Presbyterian Church USA Brunswick, ME Rev. Toni Smith Retired Clergy United Church of Chester Chester, CT Luis H. Garcia Pastor Living Evangelism Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Jan Orr-Harter National Committee Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Aledo, TX Rev. Mr.Fred D. Milligan, Jr. Stewardship Specialist Lutheran Southern Seminary Columbia, SC Fernando Castillo Pastor Pan-American Prado Church of Tolima Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Cathryn Surgenor Accompanier in Colombia Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Joan A. Crook Publicity Chair Church Women United Asheville, NC Wuillian Ramirez Pastor Prado Christian Brotherhood Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle Pastor Congregational Church of Union Union, CT The Rev. Dr. Richard H. Craft Interim Pastor Family of Christ Presbyterian Church Greeley, CO Fredy Meza Pastor Christ Center Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Leah Hrachovec Associate Pastor First Presbyterian Church Stillwater, OK Fernando Gomez Presbyterian Church USA McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Nibardo Galindo Pastor Presbyterian Church of Natagaima Tolima, Colombia
Dr. B. Gordon Edwards Pastor First Presbyterian Church Stillwater, OK Danielle E. Wegman Public Policy Coordinator Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) Ana B Herrera Presbyterian Church of Natagaima Tolima, Colombia
The Rev. Charles Booker-Hirsch Pastor Northside Presbyterian Church Ann Arbor, MI Pintor Sitanggang Student Lutheran School of Theology Chicago, IL Eison Angulo Pastor Purification Presbyterian Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Karen Jodice Pastor Broadview Community Church, UCC Hartford, CT Yu Young Kum Presbyterian Church McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Lucero Gonzalez Pastor New Life in Christ Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. Edward Rawls Senior Pastor First Congregational Church Stratford, CT Seo Yang Lee McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Viviana Machuca Pastor Veraguas Brethren in Christ Church Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton Associate Minister of Parish Life and Outreach First Church of Christ, UCC Simsbury, CT Barbara Clawson Lay Leader New Creation Community Presbyterian Church Greensboro, NC Father Tarcisio Gaitán Santa Gema Parrish Medellín, Colombia
Rev. Mary E. Breden Pastor Andrews Presbyterian Church Andrew, TX Betty Kersting Lay Leader First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, NM Marleny Calle Muñoz Lay Leader Ibague Mennonite Church Tolima, Colombia
The Rev. Dr. Phineas Washer Madison Square Presbyterian Church San Antonio, TX Arch B. Taylor, Jr. Member of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery (honorably retired) Presbyterian Church USA Clarksville, IN Rev. Luis Fernando Sanmiguel Cardona Pastor Community of Hope Presbyterian Church Bogotá, Colombia
Tiffany Triplett Henkel Associate Pastor & Executive Director Metro Baptist Church & Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries New York, NY Dr. Leonard B. Bjorkman Moderator Emeritus Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Owego, NY Evelio Garcia Pedraza Pastor Love and Life of the Nations Missionary Union Church Quindio, Colombia
Rev. Edward P. Wegele Pastor First Presbyterian Church Seminole, TX Rev. Robert C. Lane Retired Clergy First Church in Windsor, CT, U.C.C. Windsor, CT Walter Ceballos Pastor Armenia Mennonite Church Quindio, Colombia
Orlando Redekopp Pastor Chicago First Church of the Brethren Chicago, IL Barbara Medina Accompanier in Colombia Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Vidal Jimenez Pastoral Coordinator Cachipay Mennonite Church Cundinamarca, Colombia
Rev. Matthew C. Miles Pastor First Presbyterian Church Fort Davis, TX Kenneth Trauger Retired Clergy United Church of Christ/Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness Lancaster, PA Martha L. Gómez Pastoral Coordinator Pereira Mennonite Church Risaralda, Colombia
Kate De Braose Elder Westminster Presbyterian Church Roswell, NM Dr. Loise George Lay Leader United Methodist Church Asheville, NC José Antonio Vaca Pastoral Coordinator Ibagué – Calle 39 Mennonite Church Tolima, Colombia
Rev. John F. Moriarty Pastor First Presbyterian Church USA East Brady, PA Don Hamsher Pastor Kaufman Mennonite Church Davidsville, PA Amanda Valencia Pastoral Coordinator Ibagué – Modelia Mennonite Church Tolima, Colombia
Gail McDougle Pastor First Congregational Church, UCC Salem, OR Ron Adams Pastor East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church Lancaster, PA Jaime Guevara Pastor La Mesa Mennonite Church Cundinamarca, Colombia
Le Anne Clausen Director Center for Faith and Peacemaking Chicago, IL Emma Frederick Pastor Perkasie Mennonite Church Perkasie, PA Roberto Caicedo Pastor Ciudad Berna Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Reverend Gary Martin Lead Pastor College Mennonite Church Goshen, IN Lorie Hershey Pastor West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship Philadelphia, PA Henry Córdoba Pastoral Agent La Victoria Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Richard Gehring Co-pastor Manhattan Mennonite Church Manhattan, KS Barbara Moyer Lehman Associate Pastor Park View Mennonite Church Harrisonburg, VA Patricia Rosero Pastoral Coordinator Santa Marta Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Pam Dintaman Pastor Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster Lancaster, PA Ross Erb Associate Pastor for Children, Youth and Families Park View Mennonite Church Harrisonburg, VA Caleb Aranguren Pastoral Coordinator Villas de Granada Mennonite Church Bogotá, Colombia
Kori Phillips Lay Leadership Westminster Presbyterian Church Dayton, OH Aldine Musser Co-pastor Stephens City Mennonite Church Stephens City, VA Manuel García Pastor El Campito Mennonite Church Atlantico, Colombia
Ruth Stoltzfus Colombia Task Force, co-chairperson First Mennonite Church Urbana, IL Rev. Dr. Daniel Rodríguez Professor Emeritus McCormick Theological Seminary Chicago, IL Javier García Pastor North Mennonite Church Atlantico, Colombia
Ron Zook Pastor New Holland Mennonite Church New Holland, PA Mary Natger Episcopalian Church Chicago, IL Manuel Caicedo Pastor Sahagún Mennonite Church Córdoba, Colombia
Edith Beach Belleville Unit Church Women United Belleville, IL Sarah Henken Accompaniment Program Coordinator Presbyterian Church USA Chicago, IL Guillermo Vargas Director La Mesa Mennonite School Cundinamarca, Colombia
Rev. Charles Ross Pastor Emeritus Parkrose Community United Church of Christ Portland, OR Jane Tume Presbyterian Church USA McCormick Theological Seminary Student Chicago, IL Elizabeth Manco Pastor Guacarí Evangelical Missionary Union Church Valle, Colombia
Rev. Alan Claassen Pastor First Congregational Church of Murphys, United Church of Christ Murphys, CA Robert Worley Professor McCormick Theological Seminary Chicago, IL Geffer Mallorga Pastor Guacarí Evangelical Missionary Union Church Valle, Colombia
The Rev. Cecil Charles Prescod, OCC Jillian Scott Lesvi Vargas
Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries Ainsworth United Church of Christ Portland, OR El Salvador Mission Project Co-Director First Congregational Church Eugene, OR Deacon Atria of the Great King Church Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Forster Freeman, D.Min. Honorably Retired Presbyterian Church USA and United Church of Christ Portland, OR Liz Paulson Director, Christian Nurture Riverside Community Church Hood River, OR Jhon Byron Ramirez Worship Director Renovation and Life Church Risaralda, Colombia
Rev. C. Bunny Oliver Pastor Beavercreek United Church of Christ Beavercreek, OR Rev. Vicky Stifter Pastor Riverside Community Church, United Church of Christ Hood River, OR Beatriz Gómez H Pastor and Women’s Coordinator for District C Evangelical Missionary Union Church Colombia
James B. Ruyle Volunteer Minister Hillsdale United Church of Christ Portland, OR Rev. Tom Latimer Pastor Biltmore United Methodist Church Asheville, NC Roger Sieber Missionary Brethren in Christ Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Roberta Williams Pastor Vernon United Methodist Church Vernon, CT Fr. Jeff Nicolas Pastor Epiphany Catholic Church Louisville, KY Santiago Espitia Pastor Brethren in Christ Church Bogotá, Colombia
Rev. Melanie A. Oommen Associate Minister First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Eugene, OR Erin Flory Organizer for the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia Shalom Mennonite Fellowship Tucson, AZ Carlos Alvarez Minister Brethren in Christ Church Bogotá, Colombia
Donna Edlin First Congregational Church Eugene, OR Rev. John Vest Associate Pastor Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL Rev. Vilma Yánez Presbyterian Church of Colombia
Rev. Andrew Schwiebert Pastor First Congregational Church of Oakland Oakland, CA Anita Yoder Kehr Pastor Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship Goshen, IN Rev. Gustavo Gulfo

Presbyterian Church of Colombia

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phillips Rector St. Augustine’s Church Kingston, RI Sylvia Shirk Charles Pastor Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship New York, NY Rev. Milciades Púa

Presbyterian Church of Colombia

Chester Topple Minister Westminster Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, NM Roger Miller Elder Asheville Mennonite Church Asheville, NC Marian Seagren Hall American Association of University Women–Wisconsin President-Elect Wausau, WI
Marty Gool Reverend Chatham-Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL Justin Kurtz Elder Asheville Mennonite Church Asheville, NC Pat Conover Steward Seekers Church Washington, DC
Dr. Frederick Struckmeyer Peace Advocate Grove United Methodist Church West Chester, PA Rev. Susan Ortman Goering Pastor Columbus Mennonite Church Columbus, OH Michelle Tooley Eli Lilly Professor of Religion Berea College Berea, KY
Catherine M. Stanford Lay Leader, Coordinator of Public Theology Christ United Methodist Church Piscataway, NJ Tom F. Driver The Paul J. Tillich Professor of Theology and Culture Emeritus Union Theological Seminary New York, NY Sister Chris Dobrowolski IHM Pax Christi Louisville Louisville, KY
Rev. Jane H. Peifer Rev. Rebecca Messman Rev. Stephen Smith-Cobbs
Pastor Blossom Hill Mennonite Church Lancaster, PA Associate Pastor Trinity Presbyterian Church Herndon, VA Pastor Trinity Presbyterian Herndon, VA
John E. Harris Designated Pastor North Presbyterian Church of Flushing Flushing, NY The Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs Minister Unity Church-Unitarian Saint Paul, MN Rev. Carolyn Roberts Pastor United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley Germantown, MD
The Rev. Walter L. Owensby Clergy – retired Presbyterian Church USA Rev. Steven Ostendorf-Snell Pastor Grace United Church of Christ Taneytown, MD The Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs Minister Unity Church-Unitarian Saint Paul, MN
Rev. Dr. Fred M. Buker Board of Directors Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ Williamtown, NJ Rev. Mark Greiner Pastor Takoma Park Presbyterian Church Takoma Park, MD Louise Green Minister of Social Justice All Souls Church, Unitarian Washington, DC
Malissa Haslam

Colombia Accompanier First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, NM

The Rev. Denise Giacomozzi May Minister Director United College Ministries in Northern Virginia* Jane Hanna Chair of the Mission & Social Concerns Committee First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, NM
Rev. Juliet Sanson Bongfeldt Pastor Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Kingston, RI Dr. Rick Axtell Professor of Religion and College Chaplain Centre College* Danville, KY Rev. Megan M. Ramer Pastor Chicago Community Mennonite Church Chicago, IL
Rev. Ginna Minasian Dalton Pastor for Christian Education, Youth, and Evangelism Little River United Church of Christ Annandale, VA Elizabeth N. Oettinger Senior Minister First Congregational United Church of Christ Corvallis, OR Mary Ann Lambert Peace & Justice Committee St. William Church Louisville, KY

* For identification purposes only.

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[Español aqui]

From May 16 – June 6, 2017, 89 civil societies in the port city of Buenaventura called for an indefinite general strike, demanding the Colombian government provide basic infrastructure (such as sanitation, housing and clean water), public services (such as education and health care), and creation of dignified jobs. Over 80% of the residents in the largely Afro-Colombian population live in economic poverty without these public goods and services, in spite of the fact that Buenaventura is Colombia’s most important international port that generates billions of dollars of revenue. However, neoliberal privatization of the port slashed wages and put profits largely into the hands of private owners, and expansion of the port destroyed the coastal mangroves that were spawning sites for fish, ruining fishing as an occupation. The strike addressed years of government abandonment, lack of investment, and structural racism.


The strike was extremely well organized, disciplined and peaceful, and they used blockades to shut down truck traffic to the port until the government would negotiate in good faith with them.  In contrast, instead of negotiating in the beginning, the government sent in the Anti-Riot Unit of the National Police (ESMAD), which on May 19th used gas, helicopters, stun bombs, tanks, and firearms against a peaceful blockade that included children, pregnant women, youth and elderly people. In subsequent days, ESMAD started firing teargas into residential areas of vulnerable populations who live in wooden houses on stilts, where teargas easily entered and threatened to asphyxiate especially babies and young children.

 

In a press conference on June 1, human rights defender and member of Proceso de Comunidades Negras (Black Communities Process, or PCN), Danelly Estupiñan asserted “we reject the Colombian State’s military response to an issue that could have been resolved by political means, it’s as if social protest were a crime.”

The Afro-Colombian population stuck to their strike, and the government finally had to negotiate with the strike committee, reaching an agreement on June 6.  CRLN Board member Eunice Escobar, who is from Buenaventura, kept CRLN apprised of the situation and reported that the agreement has four important components:

1. The creation of a special autonomous fund with resources that are considered the patrimony of the people in Buenaventura, coming from 50% of business taxes levied on companies profiting from activities related to the port, plus $76 million dollars that the government will raise from credits with international banks, regulated by a law that should be signed in July.

2. An initial investment of COP$1.500 billion to attend to immediate needs in basic infrastructure for water, health and basic sanitation services in rural and urban areas.

3. An integral development plan for the city that includes policies and programs, institutional reform and community participation to make Buenaventura a port for the people and not simply for profit.

4. The proper investigation, prosecution and sentencing of those in the state riot police who used violent tactics to break up a peaceful protest, dropping of charges against protesters who have been criminalized, and ensuring security and protection for the many leaders that guided 22 days of this peaceful, organized and successful strike.

CRLN will keep you posted on how well the Colombian government lives up to its promises. We congratulate the many organizations who insisted that the government fulfill its responsibilities to the people of Buenaventura.

Below is an article on the strike:


https://afrocolombian.org/2017/05/31/peaceful-strikers-are-still-being-a…

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Call on Congress to Reduce Military Aid to Colombia & Support Victims of Violence

As you will recall, last year the Congress made many positive changes in U.S. policy towards Colombia – changes that couldn’t have been made without committed activists like you.

Picking up the phone, demanding your voice be heard. With the foreign aid subcommittees in the House and Senate set to “mark up” their respective bills in mid-July, it’s time to call your representative and senators and urge them to stand by Colombia’s victims of violence.

Call your Representative and Senators today and ask them to support the continued reduction of military aid to Colombia in this year’s foreign aid bill. See below for a list of Illinois Representatives & Senators, foreign policy staffers, and their contact information. Also, if you don’t know who your members of Congress are go to:

http://www.congress.org/

and type in your zip code to find out.


When you call, ask to speak with the foreign policy aide

. If he or she is unavailable, please leave the following message on his or her


voicemail:


“I am a constituent calling to encourage Rep./Senator  ____________ to ensure that this year’s foreign aid bill stands by Colombia’s victims of violence. Last year, the Congress moved U.S. policy in the right direction by reducing military aid. Now, with credible reports linking the Colombian military to extrajudicial killings of civilians, Congress must continue to cut aid to Colombia. Instead of fueling war, the U.S. should be supporting Colombia’s victims of violence – small farmers trying to turn away from coca, refugees and the internally displaced, and Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities – in addition to the courageous efforts of human rights defenders.

 I urge you to share my concerns on U.S. aid to Colombia directly with the chair of the foreign operations subcommittee before the foreign aid bill goes to mark up.


Can I count on Rep/Senator ________ to communicate these concerns?

Please let me know. My phone number is ___________. Thank you.”

 

When

you

decide to take positive actions on behalf Colombia’s victims of violence, send us an email to let us know what you did.

We’ve already achieved some momentous changes in U.S. policy towards Colombia, but we’ve got to keep building on our successes – we must keep pushing that ball up the hill!

Your calls make a difference!  For more information, contact Danielle Wegman at

dwegman@crln.org

or 773-293-3680.


Illinois


Representatives



Bobby Rush (D-



1

st


)



– John Marshall,

202-225-4372



Jesse Jackson (D-



2

nd


) ­



– Charles Dujon

, 202-225-0773



Dan Lipinski (D-



3

rd)



– Keith Devereaux,

202-225-5701



Luis Gutierrez (D-4

th

)




Greg Staff

, 202-225-8203



Rahm Emanuel (D –



5

th


)



– Luis Jimenez,

202-225-4061



Peter Roskam (R



-6

th


)




Vicky Sanville,

202-225-4561



Danny Davis (D



-7

th


)



– Charles Brown,

202-225-5006



Melissa Bean (D-8

th

)



– J.D. Grom,

202-225-3711



Jan Schakowsky (D-9

th

)



– Nina Besser,

202-225-2111



Mark Kirk (R-10

th

)



– Rich Goldberg,

202-225-4835



Jerry Weller (R-11

th

)



– Alan Tennille,

202-225-3635



Jerry Costello (D-12

th

)



– Dan McCarthy,

202-225-5661



Judy Biggert (R-13

th

)



– Brian Petersen

, 202-225-3515



Bill Foster (D-14

th

)



– Peter Judge,

202-225-2976



Timothy Johnson (R-15

th

)



– Jennifer Mascho,

202-225-2371



Donald Manzullo (R-16

th

)



–  Nien Su,

202-225-5676



Phil Hare (D-17

th

)



– Kemi Jemilohun,





202-225-5905



Ray LaHood (R-18

th

)



– Diane Liesman,

202-225-6201

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Desde el 16 de mayo al 6 de junio del 2017, 89 sociedades civiles en el puerto de la ciudad de Buenaventua llamaron a una huelga, demandando que el gobierno colombiano les provee infraestructura básica (como sanitación, vivienda y agua limpia), servicios públicos (como la educación y servicios médicos) y la creación de trabajos estables. 80% de los residentes son de descendencia afro-colombiana quienes vive en pobreza sin ninguno de estos servicios públicos a pesar que el puerto de Buenaventura es el más importante de Colombia y genera billones de dólares en redito. Sin embargo, la privatización neoliberal del puerto ha causado una baja en los salarios y lo ha puesto en las manos de dueños privados. También la expansión del puerto a destruido manglares costales donde están los sitios de pesca. Esta huelga refleja los años de abandono del gobierno, falta de inversión y el racismo estructural.


La huelga estuvo muy organizada, disciplinada y pacífica. Los manifestantes también utilizaron bloqueos para parar el tráfico de camionetas hacia el puerto hasta que el gobierno negociara de buena fe con ellos. En vez de negociar, el gobierno mando la Unidad Antidisturbios de la Policía Nacional (ESMAD), la cual el 19 de mayo, utilizo gases, helipcopteros, bombas aturdidoras, tanques y armas de fuego contra el bloqueo pacifico que incluía niños, mujeres embarazadas, jóvenes y ancianos. En los siguientes días, ESMAD empezó a disparar gases lacrimógenos hacia las áreas residenciales de la población vulnerable cual viven en casas de madera sobre pilotes. Desafortunadamente, el gas entro fácilmente y asfixió a bebés y niños pequeños.

En una conferencia de prensa el 1 de junio, defensora de derechos humanos y miembro del Proceso de Comunidades Negras, Danelly Estupiñan afirmo, “nosotros rechazamos la respuesta militarizada del estado a un problema que puede ser resuelto por términos políticos, es como si una protesta social fuera un crimen.”


La población afrocolombiana siguió con su huelga y el gobierno finalmente tuvo que negociar con el comite de la huelga llegando a un acuerdo el 6 de junio. El miembro de consejo de CRLN, Eunice Escobar, quien es de Buenaventura, informó a CRLN sobre las negociaciones y reporto que el acuerdo tiene cuatro importantes componentes:

1. La creación de fondos especiales con recursos que son considerados patrimonio de la gente de Buenaventura, los cuales vienen del 50% de impuestos recaudados de compañias que se benefician de actividades relacionadas con el puerto mas $76 milliones de dólares que el gobierno recaudo de los créditos de bancos internacionales serán reguladas por una ley que pasara en julio.

2. una inicial inversión de COP de $1.500 millones de dólares será incorporada para la necesidad inmediata de infraestructura básica de agua limpia, atención médica, servicios de sanitación en áreas rurales y urbanas.

3. Un plan integral para la ciudad que incluye políticas, programas, reformas institucionales y participación comunitaria para hacer de Buenaventura un puerto para la gente y no solo para ganancias monetarias.

4. Una investigación, persecución y sentencia en contra de la policía antidisturbios que utilizo tácticas violentas para romper la protesta pacífica. Cargos criminales contra los participantes de la huelga han sido retirados y han asegurado la seguridad y protección de muchos lideres que guiaron los 22 días de huelga pacifica.

CRLN los mantendrá al tanto de como el gobierno colombiano mantiene sus promesas. Abajo se encuentran unos artículos sobre la huelga:


https://afrocolombian.org/2017/05/31/peaceful-strikers-are-still-being-a…

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I recently returned from a CRLN – Witness for Peace delegation to Colombia.  We spent ten days there, primarily in the City of Cali, but also traveling to Buenaventura, the major port on the Pacific Ocean, and to Trujillo, where a notorious massacre (actually a series of massacres) took place between 1986 and 1994, and to an indigenous farm in the North Cauca region of the country.  We met with Community representatives and labor organizations.  We toured the docks of Buenaventura and talked to the laborers there.  We visited a marginal community living in shacks sitting on poles over swampland.  It was an eye-opening experience.
There are a number of things to know about Colombia which I, and probably some of you, did not know or really appreciate.  For example, I was not aware of the size of the Afro-Colombian population.  Estimates of Afro-Colombians range from 10.5% to 18% to 20-30% of the approximately 44 million people in Colombia.  The Afro-Colombians, despite their numbers, are even more marginalized than the indigenous population.  Afro-Colombians are concentrated in the western and northern coasts of Colombia.  They live in the worst housing and do the hardest physical labor.  They have never really been given a fair share of the Country’s wealth.
The second matter of note is the pervasive impunity which exists in the country.  Murder is common and almost never punished.  The military and the paramilitary forces are responsible for a majority of the killings and forced disappearances, but the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the major guerilla group, also contributes its share.  Enemies are kidnapped, tortured and murdered.  Often the offenses are imaginary — such as attending a rally, signing a petition or even making the wrong comment (or no comment) to the wrong person.  It is hard to overstate the fact of forced disappearances.  Examples:  in Trujillo, a popular priest spoke up for the people; he was kidnapped, and when his body was subsequently recovered, it was without its hands, feet, head and testicles.  It is believed that the members were cut off while the priest was still alive.  In Trujillo also, village authorities who opposed Army murders were themselves kidnapped and taken to the Army’s local center of operations, where their bodies were allegedly cut up with a chainsaw by Army Major Alirio Antonio Urueña, a graduate of the School of the Americas.  Again, people organized a rally on March 6, 2008, against military and paramilitary violence.  Colombian President Uribe denounced the demonstrators as guerilla sympathizers.  A new paramilitary group, the

Aguilas Negras

(Black Eagles), announced threats against the organizers, several of whom were subsequently tortured and murdered.  Jesus Caballero Ariza, an instructor of human rights for his teachers union, disappeared on April 16, 2008.  His body was found in a mass grave two days later, with signs of torture, machete wounds and a shot to the head.  Of all labor union murders, three-quarters of them occur in Colombia.
We also saw the bad effects of Free Trade on Colombia.  In Buenaventura, the port facilities have been privatized.  The laborers work longer and receive less.  For example, sugar arrives on huge semi trucks and is unloaded by Afro-Colombian laborers, who load the sacks weighing about 120 pounds each onto pallets, which are then taken into a nearby warehouse.  It takes 6-8 laborers about an hour to unload the truck, for which they each receive about $1.00.  The are paid only while unloading, meaning that if there is not another truck, they must wait (unpaid) until there is another truck to unload.  We spoke to some of the laborers, and their anger and rage were obvious.   There may well be a civil disorder in Buenaventura during the next month or two.  Incidentally, even for a country noted for violence, Buenaventura was especially dangerous.  Outside our hotel, two men had an argument during the overnight, and one shot the other.  Police then came and clubbed some people and took away four men.  The fate of the four was unknown to us.
Cali itself was a scene of violence while we were there.  On Sunday just before midnight a car bomb went off in front of the Palace of Justice, destroying the front of the building and damaging several nearby structures.  Five people were killed, and another 26 were wounded.  At the time, we were at our hotel, which was a mile  or two away from the blast (but I still heard it).  The government immediately blamed FARC, but it was also reported that the public prosecutors were closing in on a drug conspiracy.  I am not aware that anyone has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Colombia is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, after Israel and Egypt.  Most of the money has gone for military aid to suppress the insurgency, because the Colombian government says, and our government apparently believes, that the insurgents are really narcotraffickers and terrorists.  The real conditions are extreme wealth amidst grinding poverty and government lawlessness against its own citizens.   It seems perverse, but all too typical, that where our government helps another country militarily and economically, the violence and lawlessness in that country increase.
Complicating all of this is the narcotics problem.  Coca production and eradication, and the enormous sums of money to be made by the traffickers, are corrupting influences throughout the country.  The FARC taxes and controls the narcotics traffic, as do the military and paramilitary forces, each within the areas of their influence.  Because the cocaine trade is illegal, it is difficult to determine its precise size, but many people have become very wealthy.  Also, because of the illegality, the acts of the traffickers are also unlawful.  Human rights activists charge that the former paramilitary forces, which have been officially disbanded, have become narcotics protectors and enforcers, albeit in a different guise, such as the Black Eagles noted above.  FARC also is involved in the trade, although apparently in a lesser quantity.
In Africa there is an old proverb that when elephants fight, it is the grass which gets trampled.  Say a prayer or two for the people, the grass of Colombia.  The situation is intractable, and probably will not change unless the United States changes its drug policy and until some sense of justice can come to the people of that poor unfortunate country.

Frank Schneider
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