Lives on the Line Against Mining in El Salvador
October 13, 2011
By Annette Becker, SHARE delegate June 2011
During a recent trip to El Salvador as part of a delegation from my parish, Good Shepherd, which is located in Shawnee, KS, the most powerful part of the trip for me (in a week of many intense experiences) was the visit to the Environmental Committee of Cabanas (CAC). It was a late addition to our itinerary that began with an inquiry from our leader regarding whether we felt comfortable going, as a member of the committee had recently been kidnapped and murdered for his work as an activist. He had been posting fliers announcing a meeting regarding concerns about the impact of proposed mining in the area. Some members of the group had a few questions regarding safety on this “out of the way” visit and we were each given a chance to respond. If even one person had concerns, we would not have made the trip to Ilobasco, Cabanas. Every single one of us responded that we wanted to do this, hoping that our presence would offer some support to those engaged in the struggle. I am so grateful that we did.
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A Delegate Reflection on Solidarity: Building Relationships, instead of Buildings
October 10, 2011
The following is a presentation given by St Patrick’s delegate, Theresa Edwards, as part of Global Solidarity Week. After their delegation to El Savlador and Nueva Trinindad, Chalatenango in July 2011, youth from St Patrick’s created this change.org petition about mining.
If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” These words of Lilla Watson, an Australian aboriginal activist, capture what I believe to be the true meaning of solidarity. We are all called, whether by our consciences, or by our Catholic faith, to be in solidarity with others in our global community.
A response to this calling came to me in the opportunity to participate in a youth delegation to my church’s sister parish of Nueva Trinidad in El Salvador this past July. I had been part of a previous delegation there when I was twelve, and it radically changed my global perspective. Then this year, the chance came up for me to go again, and it was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
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During a recent trip to El Salvador as part of a delegation from my parish, Good Shepherd, which is located in Shawnee, KS, the most powerful part of the trip for me (in a week of many intense experiences) was the visit to the Environmental Committee of Cabanas (CAC). It was a late addition to our itinerary that began with an inquiry from our leader regarding whether we felt comfortable going, as a member of the committee had recently been kidnapped and murdered for his work as an activist. He had been posting fliers announcing a meeting regarding concerns about the impact of proposed mining in the area. Some members of the group had a few questions regarding safety on this “out of the way” visit and we were each given a chance to respond. If even one person had concerns, we would not have made the trip to Ilobasco, Cabanas. Every single one of us responded that we wanted to do this, hoping that our presence would offer some support to those engaged in the struggle. I am so grateful that we did.
