INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS-COLOMBIA:

DEATH THREATS AGAINST COLOMBIAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST:

The following story and appeal for solidarity is from the School of the America's Watch, and it is for solidarity is pressuring the USA to cease its support for the murderous regime in place in Colombia.

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Death Threat against Martha Giraldo:

Martha Giraldo, a Colombian human rights activist and a featured speaker at the 2009 November vigil to close the SOA (video), was subjected to a chilling death threat earlier this week in Cali, Colombia. Two SUVs with tinted windows -- the vehicle of choice of Colombian assassins -- tried to run her car off of the road. As they pulled up beside her, they pulled out guns and pointed them at her. They never fired a shot, but the message was clear: we can kill you, and if you don't keep quiet, we will.

Martha Giraldo and her family continue to tell the truth about how the Colombian army killed her father, a campesino, and dressed him up in guerrilla clothing to make the murder look like a "combat kill." Colombian human rights organizations report that extrajudicial executions of civilians by the Colombian Armed Forces is on the rise. Please take two minutes out of your day today to call one of the Colombia specialists at the State Department, Terry Steers-Gonzalez (202-647-4173) or Susan Sanford (202-647-3142). Click here for the message Martha would like you to communicate.

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A Letter Too:

The School of the America's Watch is also asking people to send the following letter to the Obama Administration. Please go to This Link to send the following letter to 'Mr Change' and his boys and girls.

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The recent death threat against Martha Giraldo, who had spoken out about her father's murder in Colombia, illustrates once more the dire situation that people who are speaking up for justice are facing in Colombia.

I am urging you to stand with people like Martha Giraldo, to stand for justice in Colombia and to abandon the failed U.S. policy of relying on the repressive Colombian military to protect U.S. interests. I am urging you to end U.S. military bases in Latin America, to stop U.S. military aid to Colombia and to issue an executive order to shut down the School of the Americas, now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (SOA/ WHINSEC)
cc: Ambassador Brownfield
Sincerely,