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CSN: Urgent Action -- Help the U'wa |
Colombia Support Network / Chicago Chapter
Rainforest Action Network
The U'wa Campaign
To connect your local organizing with the international network contact Patrick at: 415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN organize@ran.org
In this post :
FROM : Censat Agua Viva [censat@colnodo.apc.org] Colombian human rights and environmental organization October 1
I write with sad news that the drilling machinery has arrived to U'wa territory. Lines of thousands of military personnel protected the equipment from Saravena to Cedeno. The roadway was blocked by the military thus impeding the mobilization of the people in the region. More than 80 trucks transported the machinery protected by the military. The Colombian government put out a huge amount of economic resources and military personnel to give security to Occidental, meanwhile trampling the U'wa's rights to their own land, recognized by the Royal Land Deeds law of the 1600's, which constitutionally gives the U'wa both soil and sub-soil rights.
In a press conference yesterday (the 30th of September), Italian Green Party Senator, Stephano Boco, stated that the Green Party of Europe is prepared to bring the U'wa's case to the tribunals of Haya. Senator Boco also said that Italian representatives are ready to have a permanent presence in U'wa territory. U'wa leader, Berito Cobaria, stated that the U'wa would not give up their rights and would maintain their fight. Cobaria asked for the solidarity from Colombian people and the international community.
Now more than ever we need to gather our forces and promote actions that will help the U'wa!
Over the last year Occidental Petroleum has been announcing the dates when they will start drilling on U'wa territory: October 1999, Feb 2000, May, July, September.
The biggest testimony to the power of the U'wa resistance and the international solidarity movement is the fact that Oxy's timeline has continually been pushed back. Incredible international pressure has stopped the drilling to date and now its time to get the project canceled once and for all!
Reports we received from the drillsite on the morning of Oct 2 confirm that Oxy's convoy of trucks has arrived but are not yet unloaded into the Gibraltar 1 drillsite. The trucks are lining the road within a few hundred yards of the site but over 40 U'wa representatives remain peacefully occupying the area.
Over the past 6 months in the United States activists have been confronting Al Gore and demanding that he use his personal and political connections to stop the drilling on U'wa land. Nearly 50 of his campaign appearances have been disrupted and their have been demonstrations at dozens of his campaign offices including symbolic dumpings of blood and oil, lock-downs, and mass occupations. Now with the last of Oxy's machinery at the site we have only 2-3 weeks to stop this project before drilling begins.
Start mobilizing today! Call Gore's office! Write a Letter to the newspaper today! Organize a pre-emptive vigil, demonstration or non-violent direct action today! Whether your group organizes civil disobedience, guerrilla theater, leafleting or a lively rally it doesn't matter. What does matter is that all of us stand together to let Al Gore know that he needs to take action for the U'wa!
Many people are involved in efforts to open up the presidential debates to candidates from the non-corporate parties. If you are involved in this important work make sure to highlight the U'wa as one of the many voices being silenced. The silence of both Al Gore and George Bush about the devastating effects of Big Oil (the real high cost of gasoline) is a death sentence for the U'wa lands and culture and all traditional peoples. We must bring the U'wa struggle for survival into the attention of the public at every chance we get.
The U'wa were threatened with eviction from their occupation around the proposed drillsite several weeks ago but have held their ground. The Department of Energy and Mines backed off from the eviction after the U'wa came forward with colonial lands claims from the 1660's that showed the King of Spain had granted them land rights including sub-surface rights to Oxy's Gibraltar 1 well-site. These colonial land claims have been honored in Colombia's highest courts many times over the past 50 years, the last ruling being in 1972.
According to U'wa leader Jose Cobaria, the reason the U'wa were not evicted was thanks to the new land claims and international pressure. However the cycle of violence that the U'wa feared and warned about is escalating in the region. Helicopters having been flying overhead continually and in the past few days there have been skirmishes between the military and guerrilla factions. With the massive increase in troops violence will inevitably increase. Additionally, international press that has come to the region have been denied access to the militarized area.
This past weekend through the 28th, an Italian Senator traveled through U'wa territory as an international observer. The Senator also had meetings with Colombian ministers, and in a press conference this weekend vowed to help stop Italy and the European Union backing of Plan Colombia.
Although machinery is moving towards the well-site area, Berito Kuwaru'wa, U'wa International Spokesperson, said the struggle will continue!! They need our support now more than ever!
Please take the time to call, write and fax Al Gore
Gore2000Organize a lobbying visit, demonstration or direct action at a Gore 2000 or DNC office! Join the U'wa in putting your body on the line!
http://www.algore2000.com under "Take Action" click on your state and then "[state] HQ" and you will find a list of all your local offices. More offices are opening nationwide each day!
Find your nearest DNC office at: http://www.democrats.org/action/
Write a Letter to the editor or op-ed for your local paper. Tell other activists about the situation and to keep informed by sending a blank email to: uwa-updates-subscribe@topica.com
The U'wa desperately need money to continue their resistance on the ground. If you can help by raising money in your community contact Amazon Watch at: 310-455-0617 or send a check to:
Amazon WatchStarting in the coming days activists around the world will begin a solidarity fast to draw attention to the U'wa's desire for peace and an end to the proposed illegal oil drilling on their land. If you would like to be a part of the solidarity fast please join the planning listserve by sending a blank email to uwa-fast-subscribe@topica.com.
CONTACT organize@ran.org with all your local info!
For more information and downloadable materials check out www.ran.org - www.amazonwatch.org - www.moles.org
Please send us reports from your actions as well as media clips!
Below is a small sampling: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!