Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America

Zelaya Returns, Coup Leaders Declare Siege

In the dead of night on June 29, in the first military coup in Latin America in 25 years, the Honduran military ousted democratically elected president Manuel Zelaya and forced him into exile in Costa Rica.  Former Parliamentary speaker Roberto Micheletti was sworn in as Zelaya's replacement. Massive protests against the coup were violently suppressed by the military. Government leaders throughout the hemisphere have called for Zelaya's return. Now, after over eighty days in exile and several unsuccessful attempts to return, Zelaya is back in Honduras. A state of siege has been declared by the defacto regime, and rubber bullets have been fired on Zelaya reporters outside the Brazilian Embassy, where Zelaya is now housed. Human rights and the legitimate government can be restored in Honduras but it will take pressure on the coup regime.

Take Action for Justice, Democracy and Peace - Call Today!

1. Call the State Department at 202‑647‑4000 to deliver the following message:

"Work for the unconditional immediate reinstatement of President Zelaya and pressure the SOA graduate‑led Honduran military to stop the violence against the people and their democratically elected president, Mel Zelaya. Ensure that the coup plotters will be held responsible for their actions. Please protect democracy and the people of Honduras by supporting the reinstatement of President Zelaya."

2. Call the White House comment line at 202‑456‑1111 with the same message. 

3. Contact your representative and urge him/her to support the Delahunt‑Serano‑McGovern Resolution (HRes 630) which calls for the return to democracy and the reinstatement of President Manuel Zelaya.

The following Illinois representatives are already a co-sponsor of the resolution: Davis, Gutierrez, Hare, Jackson, Quigley, Schakowsky, Rush.

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 or give us a call at 773-293-2964. Below is a list of IL Members of Congress, their foreign policy staffers and their phone numbers. When you call, ask to speak to the foreign policy aide. If he or she is not available, leave a voicemail message.

Bobby Rush (D-1^st) - Speak with Angelle Kwemo, 202-225-4372

Jesse Jackson (D-2^nd) - Speak with Charles Dujon, 202-225-0773

Dan Lipinski (D-3^rd) - Speak with Eric Lausten, 202-225-5701

Luis Gutierrez (D-4^th) - Speak with Virginia Zigras, 202-225-8303

Mike Quigley (D-5^th) - Speak with Robyn Russell, 202-225-4061

Peter Roskam (R-6^th) - Speak with Brigitta Johnson, 202-225-4561

Danny Davis (D-7^th) - Speak with Caleb Gilchrist, 202-225-5006

Melissa Bean (D-8^th) - Speak with Liz Jurinka, 202-225-3711

Jan Schakowsky (D-9^th­) - Speak with Nina Besser, 202-225-2111

Mark Kirk (R-10^th) - Speak with Jeffrey Phillips, 202-225-4835

Debbie Halvorson (D-11^th) - Speak with Justin Cajindos, 202-225-3635

Jerry Costello (R-12^th) - Speak with Katie Stonewater, 202-225-5661

Judy Biggert (R-13^th) - Speak with Griffin Foster, 202-225-3515

Bill Foster (D-14^th) - Speak with Peter Judge, 202-225-2976

Timothy Johnson (R-15^th) - Speak with Jen Mascho, 202-225-2371

Donald Manzullo (R-16^th) - Speak with Nien Su, 202-225-5676

Phil Hare (D-17^th) ­- Speak with Kemi Jemilohun, 202-225-5905

Aaron Schock (R-18^th) - Speak with Steve Shearer, 202-225-6201

John Shimkus (R-19^th) - Speak with Greta Joynes, 202-225-5271