Courageous Resistance in Honduras Continues – Call for Action

Ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya was able to return to his country, welcomed by a static crowd, yet the human rights crisis in this Central American country continues. Just a few days ago, on June 10th, a military and police contingent raided the cooperatives of San Sebastian, Octal and other communities in the Aguán region, instilling terror among women and children.  On June 5th, three member of the MARCA small farmers’ movement were massacred by armed forces and two remain missing.

As repression continues amidst rampant impunity, the courageous Honduran resistance is far from giving up and is preparing for a massive mobilization that will mark the second anniversary of the military coup.  On June 26th, 27th and 28th, they will be demanding that those responsible for the human rights abuses be brought to justice, the closure of foreign military bases and the dismantling of a culture of militarization.  They are calling for an Hemispheric Day of Solidarity with action in front of Honduran embassies and consulates, that would serve as a reminder of the role US military bases played in the coup and the increased militarization that followed. 

Click here to learn more about the June 28th movilization.

CALL TO ACTION
Honduras: International Encounter Against Militarization
Hemispheric Day of Solidarity with Honduras: No to Foreign Military Bases—Stop the Criminalization of Protest Movements

Latin American social and popular movements, particularly those of Honduras, that have come together in the campaign “Latin America and the Caribbean: A Region of Peace – No to Foreign Military Bases” hereby issue a call for an International Encounter Against Militarization in La Esperanza y Comayagua, Honduras on June 26 and 27, 2011. The event will end on June 28 —the two year anniversary of the coup d’etat in Honduras carried out by the U.S. Empire, the Honduran military and the oligarchy— with the Honduran people’s call for a re-foundational process that is constituent, autochthonous and popular.

The objective of the Encounter will be to analyze the hemispheric and Honduran contexts —vis-à-vis the aggression of the project of domination, particularly the hegemonic strategy of militarization and intervention— so that we may define courses of action and possibilities for coordination to stop the aggression. We will debate, exchange information and work together to reach agreement and find common ground in the struggle.

With enthusiasm, hope and conviction we call on everyone to work to end militarization in all of its manifestations:

• To demand the closing of foreign military bases;
• To end the criminalization of social protest movements and the serious and systematic violations of human rights;
• To prosecute and punish those responsible for these actions that are part of the coup apparatus that must be dismantled;
• To dismantle the culture of militarization as a form of patriarchal and neoliberal domination in all spheres of daily life for every person.

International actions for the Hemispheric Day of Solidarity with Honduras will take place in front of Honduran embassies and consulates. We will organize debates, plan educational tours, meet with authorities, etc. to reaffirm our rejection of a military coup in our hemisphere. We will denounce the U.S. military bases in Honduras, which provided support for the coup and have increased their presence since that event. We will denounce the persecution and killings of social and popular activists and of the Honduran people in general by groups supporting the illegitimate, post-coup regime. We will demand non-recognition of all debt imposed via the coup.

No foreign troops
Yankee go home

Organizers:
Campaña América Latina y el Caribe, una Región de Paz: Fuera Bases Militares Extranjeras COPINH, OFRANEH, Artistas en Resistencia, MUCA, CEMH, Insurrección Autónoma, ERIC, Comité Coordinador Nacional - Honduras

En Español aquí.