[Peace] Fwd: Chiapas - Caravans of Support for Mayan Peoples

[John Martirano]

Join the national Emergency Caravan to Chiapas.

From: Pastors for Peace, p4p at igc.org, 212-926-5757

Subject: Chiapas caravan

Greetings from the entire staff of IFCO/Pastors for Peace.  We write to
announce the IFCO/Pastors for Peace Emergency Caravan to Chiapas,
Mexico.  As you may know, in the last two months a new wave of violence
has begun in Chiapas.  Several indigenous communities have been attacked
by paramilitary members with handguns and machetes, leaving four dead,
dozens wounded, and forcing an entire community to flee into the
mountains without the resources necessary for survival.

Almost simultaneously, the Supreme Court of Mexico threw out more than
300 constitutional complaints against an indigenous rights bill which
directly undermines the results of years of peace negotiations.

In response to this escalating climate of terror, IFCO/Pastors for Peace
is organizing a national Emergency Caravan to Chiapas.  This important
project will focus its efforts on delivering millions of dollars worth
of medicines, medical supplies, school supplies and foodstuffs to
indigenous communities throughout the militarized zone in Chiapas,
Mexico.

Beginning in November, the caravan will travel to more than 60 cities
through the US and Canada along three separate routes, participating in
educational events, collecting urgently requested material aid and
holding press conferences about the life-threatening situation in
Chiapas.  Upon reaching Chiapas for a seven day solidarity program, the
international presence of the caravan will also send a powerful message
to paramilitary organizations and federal soldiers that the indigenous
people are not alone.


Your participation is essential to the success of this project.  We
invite you to commit your full support by sending members and staff
people from your organization on this year=92s Emergency Caravan to
Chiapas.  We also ask you to publicize this important human rights
project in your organization's newsletter or through your organization's
electronic mail listserves.  (A caravan flyer is attached)

In addition, your organization can fundraise to a) help your members and
associates join the caravan and travel all the way to Chiapas, b)
sponsor a vehicle to be donated to Chiapas, c) collect humanitarian aid
such as medicines, computers, and school supplies to send to Chiapas,
and d) make a generous contribution towards the =93Campaign for Corn.=94
This unique campaign is a special fund used to purchase bulk supplies of
corn, beans, and cooking oil from local cooperatives in Chiapas to be
delivered by the caravan to indigenous communities throughout the zone
of conflict.

Caravan Schedule=20

November 29-December 7: Educational events throughout the US
December 8-10: Caravan Orientation in McAllen, Texas
December 11: Border Crossing into Mexico
December 12-16: Travel through Mexico
December 17-23: Delivery of Aid and Educational/Solidarity Program in
Chiapas
December 24-January 7: Optional Stay in Indigenous Community as a Human
Rights Observer.

Since 1988, IFCO/Pastors for Peace has organized more than 35 national
humanitarian aid caravans to Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras,
Nicaragua and Cuba.  Each caravan has actively confronted destructive US
foreign policy and lifted up an alternative =93people-to-people=94 =
foreign
policy based in mutual respect.  I hope you will join with us this
November/December to create a profound show of solidarity with the
indigenous people of Chiapas.=20

Working together for justice and peace,=20

Corrine Kohut, Program Coordinator
IFCO/Pastors for Peace
p4p at igc.org
212-926-5757