Dear Friends, Hi - I'm helping to organize an action in
Washington, DC on March 12 protesting the ongoing human rights
violations in Guatemala and US complicity in the violence there.
If you are in the DC area or in the East, it would be great if you
would be able to go and/or send friends.
Please circulate this message to friends and contacts who would be
interested in attending. This action has the potential to
generate pressure necessary to influence changes in US foreign
policy toward Guatemala -- I hope you can help!
Also, if you are following Jennifer Harbury's case, an update is
attached at the end of this document.
Many thanks - Meredith
** Topic: March 12 Rally in Washington DC **
** Written 1:55 PM Jan 18, 1995 by ghrc in cdp:reg.guatemala **
(newer flyer has been distributed on paper by GHRC - I have
changed this posting to reflect that newer flyer - meredith)
NATIONAL RALLY SUNDAY, MARCH 12
Lafayette Park (across from the White House),
Washington, DC
12 noon - 3 pm
BREAK THE WALL OF IMPUNITY IN
GUATEMALA!
As part of the Campaign for Peace and Life's National Day of
Action and Reflection Against Impunity in Guatemala, a rally will
be held in our nation's capital to:
%Insist on an end to the impunity enjoyed by human rights
violators in Guatemala;
%Protest U.S. complicity in officially sponsored violence in
Guatemala;
%Demand, on the third anniversary of Efrain Bamaca Velasquez's
capture, that the US take steps to pressure for a resolution of
the case. If such measures have not been taken, on March 12,
Jennifer Harbury will resume the hunger strike she began in
Guatemala -- this time in front of the White House; and
%Commemorate the 1982 massacre of 70 women and 170 children, in
Rio Negro, Baja Verapaz, and demand prosecution of those
responsible.
Guest speakers, including a survivor of the Rio Negro massacre,
have been invited to discuss the repression and the need for
justice. Crosses with the names of the 177 victims of the Rio
Negro massacre will serve as reminders of this tragedy.
Music and dance performances are scheduled. COME! Get your
friends to come! Together we can make a difference. Show the US
government that the people of Guatemala matter.
Stay in Washington to lobby your congressional representatives on
Monday, March 13.
Call the Guatemala Human Rights
Commission/USA for more information tel.
202-529-6599
GHRC/USA seeks endorsement for this event from other
organizations. To endorse or if you have questions/suggestions
call Susan Peacock at 202-529-6599.
Alternate site for presentations in case of inclement weather --
The United Church, G St. & 20th St., NW.
For assistance with housing, call 202-328-3629.
** Topic: Human Rights UPDATE 2 & 3 2/3/95 **
** Written 5:49 AM Feb 9, 1995 by ghrc in cdp:reg.guatemala **
GHRC/USA Human Rights Update*
PEACENET Versions #2 & #3
February 3, 1995
COURT THROWS OUT GOVERNMENT'S SUIT AGAINST HARBURY On January 27,
a civil court in Guatemala threw out the civil suit Guatemalan
Attorney General Acisclo Valladares had brought against Jennifer
Harbury. The government charged Harbury with "jactancia," or
making unsupported claims, after she said she would file criminal
charges against several high-ranking military officers accused of
secretly detaining and torturing her husband, Efrain Bamaca
Velasquez. The judge hearing the suit agreed with Harbury that
the charges were defective. The government has announced no plans
to appeal the ruling.