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"We thank FOR for being here with us, offering your support to a community that day after day says no to impunity and to war. We are happy about your presence here - it makes us flourish." Representatives of Peace Community of San José de Apartadó
Since 1983, the FOR Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean (TFLAC) has worked to build collaborative relationships between Latin American peace and justice groups with similar efforts in the United States, and to work for the demilitarization of U.S. policy in the region. The goals of the FOR Colombia Program are: (1) to support the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Colombia in their strong commitment to justice and nonviolence, and (2) to inform and involve concerned US citizens about the conflict in Colombia, US policy towards it, and about nonviolent alternatives to the war and political violence. Colombia Peace Presence
In February 2002, FOR volunteers began accompanying the community, sharing the lives of the peasant farmers striving for a life in peace and dignity. The volunteers are acting as human rights observers on behalf of the international community. Through accompaniment, the Colombia Peace Presence volunteers increase the safety of the community and provide moral support for its members. To find out more about volunteering in the Colombian Peace Community click here. Grassroots Media and Outreach As the Colombian civil war claims thousands of civilian victims each year and US policy continues to focus on military aid to Colombia, there are voices for peace in Colombia as well as in the US. Yet, especially in the United States, these voices need to be communicated in our media and communities. Colombian peace, human rights, religious, and grassroots organizations are bringing together these different voices and proposals for peaceful solutions to the war and its underlying causes. These efforts range from peace marches, to regional efforts for demilitarization, to work to end the impunity that prevails for human rights violators. Using reports by FOR volunteers in San José and national groups, the FOR aims to broaden people’s perceptions of what is happening in Colombia.
An important part of finding peace in Colombia is changing U.S. policy from one dominated by guns and military training to a focus on aiding the more than one million civilians displaced from their homes and supporting negotiations to end the war. The FOR participates in national efforts that seek to change U.S. policy. How You Can Participate * Educate yourself and others about the conflict in Colombia and how it affects civilians. * Stay informed by the FOR’s update on peace efforts for Colombia, or other updates on U.S. policy. * Organize an event in your community for a Colombian leader or FOR volunteer, to learn about the situation in Colombia and how Colombians and US citizens work for peace. * Participate in a delegation — contact us for information on upcoming trips. * Call and write your congressional representatives — ask them to consider alternatives to military aid and to express concern for the safety of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó to Colombian authorities. * Become part of our emergency response network. * Monitor the way Colombians and the Colombian conflict are being portrayed in the media. Write letters to the editor to remind the public that there are important efforts to create peace in Colombia, which should be supported internationally. * Volunteer for the Colombia Peace Presence. For information on volunteer requirements, training, or an application, click here. * Make a contribution or hold an event to raise funds for the FOR Colombia Program.
Yes, I want to support peace efforts for Colombia (Please check one of the boxes below, and use the form below to send us your name and address info. If you wish to send a donation, please print this page, fill in the information, and mail it to us with your check. The address to mail to is at the bottom of this page)
For more information, contact: Fellowship of Reconciliation 2017 Mission St. #305, San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: 415-495-6334 E-mail: forcolombia@igc.org Web: www.forusa.org/Programs/Colombia Fellowship of Reconciliation |
San
José de Apartadó in the Urabá region of northern
Colombia is one of more than 50 Peace Communities that have declared
themselves neutral in the war, committing to non-violently demand
their right to justice and peace. They have taken an extraordinary
stand against violence at the very center of a war zone, refusing
to support any armed group. The community has suffered terribly
from political violence, mostly by paramilitary groups supported
by the Colombian Army.
We
seek to improve understanding at both grassroots and policy-maker
levels of the sources of violence and of efforts to end the violence
and impunity. Speaking tours by returning volunteers and Colombian
activists and delegations to Colombia’s peace communities are
educational and inspirational tools for the participants. They also
demonstrate critical solidarity with the Colombian organizations,
communities and individuals working for justice and peace in the
face of terrible risks. 