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Let's Say No to the U.S. Colombia FTA Too: Call on Your Member of Congress to take a public stance!

Last week under the leadership of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Congress voted to suspend a vote on the U.S.-Colombia FTA until Ms. Pelosi decides the time is right. The decision was cautiously welcomed by Indigenous and Afro-Colombian organizations whose opposition to the FTA has been singled out by the Colombian government as naïve and "managed by terrorist groups"—alleging ties to the FARC guerrillas. These accusations have closed the space for democratic debate in Colombia where an allegation of guerrilla affiliation is a signal to paramilitary groups to assassinate the accused.

Photo: AICN

In fact just last month during a "community council" the President of Colombia offered bounties on the lives of Indigenous leaders who are struggling to recover the lands from which they were displaced in the province of Cauca (Southwestern Colombia). If the U.S. congress passes this agreement it would be supporting tactics that equate dissent, a cornerstone of democracy, with terrorism and use that logic as a reason to offer bounties.

Meanwhile, here in the U.S., the possibility still exists that the FTA could be voted on tomorrow if Congressional leadership and the Administration arrive at an agreement on economic assistance for those who have lost jobs due to trade or in a "lame duck" Congressional session just after the elections when politicians are less concerned about nation-wide opposition to the trade pact.

In the province of Cauca Indigenous communities carried out a referendum which resulted in 98% of the local population voting against the FTA. Stand with the people of Cauca and tell the U.S. government that a Colombian trade deal will only perpetuate the grave human rights violations happening every day.

Since the U.S.-Colombia FTA is far from defeated we must make a few calls to sway our members of Congress to take a public stance. It's easy. Here's how:

1. Call (202) 224-3121 and ask the Capitol Switchboard operator to connect you to your member of Congress' office. Visit www.congress.org to find out who represents you in Congress.
   
2. Talking points
   • Please vote NO on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement and take a public stance against it.
     
   • Click here to select from other talking points to support your argument.
     
3. Call 1-202-224-3121 again and ask for one of your two senators. Repeat the message, than call your other senator.

Defend Union Leaders in Colombia, Oppose the FTA

The pressure to approve the FTA continues to cause violence and retribution against those who speak out against the Colombian government. Like many union leaders in Colombia, Martha Cecilia Diaz life is being threatened again due to her union organizing activity. Recently, Martha shared with us her testimony of how she had been kidnapped, beaten shot and tortured by men who claimed to be sent by the ex-mayor of Los Santos to kill her. Help Martha, and take action today.

Support Afro-Colombians

Take action and urge your representative to support House Resolution 618, which recognizes the plight of Afro-Colombians and calls on the Colombian government to do their part to end attacks against this population and to consult them on the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

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