Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America

Meet and Hear this Faith Leader Speak at a Luncheon On June 9th

Mark your calendars now to join us as we hear from a vital voice of faith from Bolivia, Evangelical Methodist Bishop Carlos Poma.  As part of a deepening partnership with the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, CRLN is co-hosting a luncheon for Bishop Poma:

Monday June 9th
Noon - 1:30
Chicago Temple 77 W. Washington Street, Chicago
Cost of the Luncheon: $25
RSVP to jvondracek@crln.org or 773-293-2964

Hear a Leading Voice of Faith for Justice and Human Rights in Mexico

Take advantage of a remarkable opportunity to meet and hear one of Mexico's most compelling religious leaders during his brief visit to the US!   Bishop Raul Vera's talk is co-sponsored by CRLN, St. Pius V Catholic Church, The Resurrection Project, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Priests for Justice for Immigrants of the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform, Southwest Organizing Project, Instituto de Progreso Latino, and the University of Chicago's Human Rights Program and Center for Latin American Studies.  Details include:

For more information about the talk, contact Jim Vondracek at jvondracek@crln.org or Father Chuck Dahm at cdahm@sbcglobal.net

A few weeks ago, CRLN Members & Friends received an Urgent Appeal regarding recent death threats to CRLN partners in Colombia, including community leaders, priests and local organizations in the Magdalena Medio region.  We are happy to report that following the circulation of a similar appeal to Illinois Members of Congress, Illinois Representative Bobby Rush promptly responded by writing a "Dear Colleague" letter with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), expressing serious concerns about the continued threats against human rights defenders in Colombia. The letter urges Members of Congress to take into account the voices of those threatened and the responses of the Colombian government to such human rights violations, as Congress will make several decisions in the coming year regarding economic, military and trade relations with Colombia.

Bring the voices of Colombian churches to Congress!

Colombia is ravaged by conflict, and religious leaders and churches in that country have taken a strong position in favor of peace.  Due to their work for peace, thousands of local and national church leaders have been killed in Colombia.  Representatives of Colombian churches have drafted a letter to send to the U.S. Congress regarding military aid to their country and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Colombian faith leaders from across the country are signing the letter and have asked the U.S. faith community to join them. 

With our partner organizations, we are inviting Illinois leaders - from denominational heads to priests, pastors and social justice chairs in local churches, as well as men and women religious and representatives of faith-based institutions - to join Colombian religious leaders in signing this important letter, calling on the U.S. Congress to take a stand for policies that advance peace and justice in Colombia. Please go to www.crln.org/Sign_on_letter_for_Colombia to view the letter

I urge you to join us in signing this letter.  This is a tangible, practical way for religious communities in the United States to walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in faith in Colombia.  To add your name to the letter, please contact Jim at jvondracek@crln.org with your name, position, congregation or organization, and town.  

Call Your Member of Congress Today!

As many advocates already know, the National Movement for Victims of State Crimes organized a March 6th protest to call attention to Colombia's victims of paramilitary violence and to condemn acts of violence by all actors.  In the days leading up to the protest, Jose Obdulio Gaviria, a close advisor to President Uribe, went on national radio to suggest that the March 6th rally was "convened by the FARC."  After these false and reckless comments were made, many human rights groups received email death threats from the Black Eagles and at least four trade unionists were murdered.  

Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) are circulating a "dear colleague" letter to President Uribe of Colombia over the recent wave of threats against, and targeted killings of, human rights defenders, trade unionists, and others in Colombia.  Click here to read the letter.  The dear colleague letter calls on the Colombian government to fully investigate these threats and murders and to bring those responsible to justice.  The letter also urges President Uribe to take concrete actions to ensure government officials stop making comments that put the lives of human rights defenders at risk.

The Violent Intersections of Commerce and Conflict

The American Friends Service Committee is making available on their website a "must read" document exploring the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement and Plan Colombia.  You can download it in PDF format by clicking here.  If you would like to order a hard copy, you may visit www.tradeandwar.org

For more information about the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement  and Plan Colombia, contact Danielle Wegman at dwegman@crln.org or 773-293-3680

Urgent Action Needed!

CRLN's 2006 Luncheon speaker Guatemalan Bishop Alvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri, bishop of the Diocese of San Marcos and president of the Guatemalan Bishop's Conference, received a death threat last Monday, March 31, 2008.  In the city of San Marcos , Guatemala , a nun from the bishop's diocese was threatened by two unknown individuals who stopped her vehicle with the intent to send a death threat to Bishop Ramazzini. This was not the first threat against Bishop Ramazzini.  Furthermore, similar threats have recently occurred against other members of the diocese, which have been denounced in the media on several occasions.

Tortillas and Trade!

January 17 - 25, 2009

Join us!

Travel to with the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) to Mexico!  Participate in experiential leraning opportunities to understand the current dynamics of the global economy.  Learn the basics of economic globalization.  Listen to testimonies from local women and families, community leaders, and political refugees about how economic globalization affects them.  Visit community organizations and projects working with peasant farmers, indigenous women, children and youth.  Dialogue about the role of the church in social change.  Engage in Biblical reflections, simulation games and local worship celebrations. 

Bilateral Free Trade Agreement, Human Rights and Military Repression

August 24 - September 3, 2008

Colombia has always been a rich nation in its agricultural diversity.  Control of natural resources has historically fueled conflict with a pattern of internal displacement for Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities.  Colombia's Pacific Coast, an area lush with natural resources is 80%-95% African-descendent, who alongside indigenous peoples, have inhabited these isolated territories for 400 years.  These communities have endured decades of a brutal armed conflict between guerillas, paramilitary death squads and the national army.  Right now the U.S. government is trying to push a free trade agreement with Colombia which would further jepordize the rights of indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.  Also, since Plan Colombia began in 2000, the U.S. government has provided Colombia with over $5 billion in mostly military aid to fight the "War on Drugs" and the "War on Terror."  In light of the long term internal civil conflict in Colombia, how is the free trade agreement and U.S. military aid used or connected to these human rights violations?  These communities are calling for support from U.S. citizens to spread the word about their situation and help call for respect for their rights.