Our President Misses the Boat on Colombian Labor and Human Rights.
/April 17th, 2012
Yes, we do support President Obama as the only hope for working people in this currently rigged system - but we have to point out when he makes a huge mistake. As several labor groups have pointed out - the record of the Colombian government - while not as horrendous as a few years ago - is still terrible. Labor organizers are beaten and murdered as a routine method of silencing labor union organizing. Labor rights must be civil rights and human rights - without any question. All people must be free to associate in order to gain a far deal from employers, whether small and local, or large and transnational. Read the letter below and please send a letter to your local paper.
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON COLOMBIA
During his visit to Colombia for Summit of the Americas, President Obama ignored Colombia's continuing displacement crisis, despite the thousands of people living in squalor just outside the walls of colonial Cartagena where he was staying. He green lighted the implementation of the free trade agreement, even though union leaders continue to be murdered and paramilitary groups keep killing and displacing people to make way for agricultural and extractive industries.
Colombia's war is raging and our military aid and trade policies are a part of the problem.
We need to set the record straight.
Please send a letter to the editor of your local newspapers to make sure that news coverage of Obama trip to Colombia doesn't sweep Colombia's war and humanitarian disaster under the rug.
Fill in your zip code and choose a paper in your area. Then, you'll find a sample text. But remember, editors want to hear from you in your own words. If you have an extra minute, please feel free to personalize your letter.
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON COLOMBIADuring his visit to Colombia for Summit of the Americas, President Obama ignored Colombia's continuing displacement crisis, despite the thousands of people living in squalor just outside the walls of colonial Cartagena where he was staying. He green lighted the implementation of the free trade agreement, even though union leaders continue to be murdered and paramilitary groups keep killing and displacing people to make way for agricultural and extractive industries.
Colombia's war is raging and our military aid and trade policies are a part of the problem.
We need to set the record straight.
Please send a letter to the editor of your local newspapers to make sure that news coverage of Obama trip to Colombia doesn't sweep Colombia's war and humanitarian disaster under the rug.
Fill in your zip code and choose a paper in your area. Then, you'll find a sample text. But remember, editors want to hear from you in your own words. If you have an extra minute, please feel free to personalize your letter.
Colombia's war is raging and our military aid and trade policies are a part of the problem.
We need to set the record straight.
Please send a letter to the editor of your local newspapers to make sure that news coverage of Obama trip to Colombia doesn't sweep Colombia's war and humanitarian disaster under the rug.
Fill in your zip code and choose a paper in your area. Then, you'll find a sample text. But remember, editors want to hear from you in your own words. If you have an extra minute, please feel free to personalize your letter.