A joint project of NACLA and the Latin America Solidarity Coalition (LASC)
A joint project of NACLA and the Latin America Solidarity Coalition (LASC)
This spring, NACLA and the Latin America Solidarity Coalition launched a successful and inspiring nation-wide campaign to educate and organize thousands of people across the country about the effects of U.S. policy in Latin America and what we can do to change it. We published a widely distributed NACLA Report in January, and held four teach-ins during the spring in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, and Berkeley.
Discussing issues ranging from the impact of U.S. trade policy on the food crisis in Haiti to the increasing militarization of the failed drug war, these events were diverse, inter-generational conversations about collaborating, organizing, and working to change U.S. policy for the better. Connections were drawn, campaigns were highlighted, and new alliances were formed between students, religious and community groups, and solidarity organizations. But this work is far from over! We want to keep the momentum of these tremendous gatherings going – so we need your help right now.
Click here to donate to support this effort.
In Berkeley, from left: NACLA Director Christy Thornton, NISGUA’s Maria Ramos, Food First Director Eric Holt-Giménez, Nicaragua Network’s Kathy Hoyt, journalist David Bacon, and Consul General of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela in San Francisco, Martin Sánchez.
Video from NACLA/LASC teach-ins:
For more video from Washington, D.C., and Berkeley, click here.
Lesley Gill discusses today’s U.S. interventions in Latin America from School of the Americas Watch on YouTube.
Maria Ramos tells stories of indigenous fights against mega projects in Guatemala from Food First on Vimeo.
Photos from NACLA/LASC teach-ins:
History of the campaign:
During the presidential campaign, the LASC sent a letter to Obama in which it articulated 11 policy changes we would like to see happen under the new administration. In addition, the January/February issue of NACLA Report on the Americas featured articles advocating a new U.S. relationship with Latin America. The LASC and NACLA realize that in order to achieve these goals, it will take more than a change in the White House — it will take the kind of hard and persistent grassroots organizing that has brought the victories that we are seeing in Latin America.
The two organizations have decided to combine their efforts, and organized three events featuring activists and scholars aimed at building grassroots power and educating the public on the following topics:
Topic: Fighting Against Militarization
Location: Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Date: February 15, 2009
Co-sponsors: Co-sponsors and endorsing organizations: SOA Watch, CISPES, the Alliance for Global Justice, SHARE, ElEnemigoCommun.net, ImaginAction.org, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Topic: Sovereignty and Democracy Manipulation
Location: Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
Date: April 14-16, 2009
Co-sponsors: Mexico Solidarity Network, Chicago Free the Five Committee, Campaign for Labor Rights, Nicaragua Solidarity Committee, and US-El Salvador Sister Cities
Topic: What Policies Should the Left Push For?
Location: Left Forum, Pace University, New York
Date: April 17-19, 2009
Topic: Trade Policy: Food, Land and Agriculture
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Date: May 2, 2009
Co-sponsors: Marin Task Force on the Americas, Nicaragua Information Center-Community Action, Nicaragua Network, and Berkeley Students Organizing for Justice in the Americas
We want you to be involved! This is an invitation for your organization, university, Latin American studies department, or student group to sponsor, host, and participate in planning these important events aimed at promoting a new U.S. policy toward our neighbors based on respect for sovereignty and self-determination, respect for democracy and elections, and respect for human rights.
For more information, contact LASC c/o Alliance for Global Justice at AfGJ@AFGJ.org or NACLA at info@nacla.org.
To endorse, sponsor, or offer to host one of the events, send an email to info@lasolidarity.org or call 202-544-9355.
For general information visit http://www.lasolidarity.org and http://nacla.org
