[mgj-discuss] Action Alert: Violence against CAFTA protests in Guatemala

[jon s]

Stop CAFTA Coalition Alert

 

March 9, 2005

 

Protesters in Guatemala face Brutal Repression During
Protests Against CAFTA

Call the Embassy to Demand an end to Police Violence! 


 

In the past two days, the Guatemalan government has
responded to massive anti-CAFTA protests with violence
and repression.  As least 11 people have been injured
and as many as 14 are unaccounted for and assumed to
be in police custody.  The Guatemalan popular movement
is calling on international solidarity to denounce
these actions and pressure the government for an end
to violence.

 

On Tuesday, March 8 the government of Guatemala began
the process of ratifying the US-Central American Free
Trade Agreement (CAFTA).  Having managed to delay a
vote the previous week through large protests,
Guatemalan popular organizations took to the streets
again to prevent the Congress from voting against the
interests of the people.  This time, the police
responded with brutal force, and the repression has
continued throughout the day on Wednesday.

 

Despite the mobilizations and repression, the
Guatemalan Congress appears poised to ratify CAFTA
within the next 24 hours.  President Berger has
threatened to call in the military to reinforce the
hoards of police currently surrounding the Legislative
Chambers.

 

 

Act Now to Stop Repression Against Anti-CAFTA
Protesters in Guatemala

 

***Call or Fax the Guatemala Embassy at Phone: (202)
745 4952; Fax: (202) 745 1908 and demand that the
Guatemalan government cease the repression against
peaceful protesters.

 

 

(Sample fax - see below for English translation)

 

Estimado Señores,

 

Les estamos escribiendo para exigir que el Gobierno de
Guatemala cesa de inmediato las acciones represivas
por parte de las fuerzas de seguridad publica en
contra las personas y sectores quienes protestan la
aprobación del Tratado de Libre Comercio (CAFTA por
sus siglas en Ingles). Nos hemos enterrado de muy
preocupantes reportes de violencia, que ha dejado un
saldo alto de heridos, y hasta el momento 14
“desaparecidos” por manos de la policía o el ejército.
 Exigimos que paren de inmediato la violencia contra
las personas que participan en la manifestación
pacifica y que dejen en libertad los manifestantes
presos.

 

Atentamente

-----------------------

(English Translation)

We are writing to demand that the Government of
Guatemala stop repressive actions it has taken against
those protesting the passage of the Central American
Free Trade Agreement.  We have heard very disturbing
reports of violence against demonstrators that has
left many people injured, some critically, and at
least 14 people unaccounted for and presumed to be
held by the police or the army.  This violence must
stop immediately and anyone being held for
demonstrating should be released.




Date:   	Wed, 9 Mar 2005 18:56:49 -0500
From:  	NISGUA <nisgua at igc.org>
To:  	nisgua at lists.riseup.net, gnib at lists.riseup.net,
cafta-talk at lists.riseup.net,
lasolidarity at lists.mutualaid.org
Subject:  	[LAsolidarity] Action Alert: Violence
against CAFTA protests in Guatemala







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