End of Colonialism: Columbus Day Weekend Action at the Southern Command

It was no coincidence that Columbus Day weekend was chosen for an action in front of the U.S. Southern Command headquarters, outside Miami in Doral, Florida.  Co-sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the weekend-long mobilization will protest US military intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean, which activists see as a continuation of the colonialist era that started with the arrival of Columbus to the Americas, in 1492.  As in colonial times, US militarization in Latin America and access to natural resources and markets in the region are tightly linked.

On October 8 and 9, activists, farm workers and students from all over the country will gather combining education, art and music. They will demand that the US government end militarization in Latin America and the Caribbean and, instead, build relations on a foundation of mutual respect, peace and justice.  Such a spirit was welcomed by the Continental Campaign Against Foreign Military Bases, a coalition of Latin American movements, and reflected in the support statement sent to the action organizers: “We greatly appreciate the efforts by numerous US citizens and organizations that, in solidarity with the people of Latin America, are demanding that the government of Barack Obama respect our sovereignty and peaceful and just relations between our countries.”

To learn more about the action and how to get involved, click here.

The following is the support statement sent by the Continental Campaign:

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF PROTESTS AGAINST THE SOUTHERN COMMAND

Unites States human rights and social organizations will carry out

protests in front of the headquarters of the US Southern Command in Miami,

Florida, October 8-9, 2011.

The Unites States military has played a dreadful role in Latin American

countries. It has led invasions, supported puppet governments, and backed

bloody military dictatorships.

The only results of the Southern Command, the military arm of the US

government’s “foreign policy,” are violations of human rights and of the

right of our nations to self-determination.

At the present time the Southern Command runs dozens of foreign military

bases in Latin America, has activated the Fourth Fleet for naval maneuvers

in our seas, continues to provide military training for Latin American

troops at the School of the Americas, conducts joint military exercises,

etc.

Current military and police collaboration between the United States and

Honduras, Mexico and Colombia has caused an increase in human rights

violations in these sister nations.

The people of Latin America reject this type of collaboration which is an

obstacle to our peace, sovereignty and self-determination

We greatly appreciate the efforts by numerous US citizens and

organizations that, in solidarity with the people of Latin America, are

demanding that the government of Barack Obama respect our sovereignty and

peaceful and just relations between our countries.

Thus we join the activists and organizations taking part in the protests

against the Southern Command.

“Latin America and the Caribbean: A Region of Peace – No to Foreign

Military Bases” Campaign