Protest U.S. Sponsored Repression in Haiti and Colombia

Colombian and Haitian Consulates
535 - 545 Boylston Street, Boston, MA

Sponsored by: Comité Permanente Por La Páz de Colombia, Chelsea Uniéndose en Contra de la Guerra, Circulo Bolivariano – MLK Boston, Boston A.N.S.W.E.R , New England Human Rights Organization for Haiti, International Action Center, Latinos for Social Change

For more information call: 617-230-9382 or 617-522-6626

Amid extensive repression and the deepening economic crisis, nearly a million participated in a protest on September 16 called by the unions and mass organizations in cities throughout Colombia. The Grand Democratic Coalition has called a general strike for October 12th against government repression, unilateral efforts to change the constitution, and the neoliberal project of the Uribe regime. On July 13, 2000, President Clinton signed Plan Colombia into law. Since then, political assassinations and disappearances in Colombia have increased dramatically-- especially against trade unionists. Paramilitary death squads work hand-in-hand with the U.S sponsored military. In addition, companies like Coca-Cola are complicit in assassinations and other human rights violations against workers in Colombia.

In Haiti the U.S. overthrew and kidnapped the popularly elected government of President Aristide. In Haiti, as in Colombia, the U.S. arms and provides financial support for paramilitary death squads resulting in the deaths of thousands. Thousands more have been illegally imprisoned, including Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, legendary performer and activist So-Anne and labor activists from the Confederation of Haitian Workers. The people of Haiti are rising up, and have every right to defend themselves from this U.S. sponsored terrorism by whatever means they deem necessary.