By Tom De Meo There are times when all pretense and superficiality passes away, and things become focused and serious in a surreal way. This day was one of those times. Today we visited the Guapinol Eight, so named because they are eight prisoners of conscience in detention for protesting against mining development in a national park affecting the Guapinol River. They are in a prison in Olanchito. We actually only visited seven prisoners, as the eighth remains in a high security prison in la Ceiba. For many of us, especially us less experienced visitors, this was a unique experience. These men have been in detention for two years, and their families receive continuous threats. They each briefly introduced themselves, as did we. We expressed our profound respect for their efforts and our commitment to doing what we could, however limited or inadequate, to further their release. They expressed optimism and gratitude for our presence. I noticed all the prisoners were clean, with fresh clothes, and that the guards were cordial and accommodating. In the end all that mattered was that we were there. In the Catholic faith we talk about the importance of presence, of being there. We left some gifts of towels and toiletries, hoping they would not be stolen. Sister Mary blessed us with a closing prayer, and we were on our way out the door. My only other thought on this is that we should all dedicate ourselves to doing what we can to have these people released—writing our Representatives and Senators, advocating however we can…. La lucha continua By Leonel Cruz
El punto de partida de Radio Progreso y ERIC es el contexto que vive el pueblo de Honduras. Ver la realidad desde los mas empobrecidos y marginados para generar esperanza y soluciones integrales a los problemas acuciantes que viven las mayorías empobrecidas. Ellos hacen trabajo de investigación y la defensa de los derechos humanos; además, trabajan en la articulación territorial para la formación y análisis entre las comunidades. Así van motivando a jóvenes para desarrollar interés político en los asuntos que afectan a todos; desarrollan las comunicaciones como importante medio de transmitir y generar entusiasmo.
Un grupo que trabaja en el tema de la migración nos planteo la realidad cruda y dura de los pobres. Las caravanas de migrantes tienen su causa profunda. El sistema político y económico ha despojado de toda posibilidad de vivir dignamente a las mayorías. No hay trabajo, salarios injustos, violencia estructural y saqueo de los recursos naturales son las raíces de la migración y de las caravanas numerosas que han salido rumbo a un lugar incierto pero con mas posibilidades de vivir dignamente. Photos by Mark Coplan Honduras 2021 |
SHARE EL SALVADORSHARE STRENGTHENS SOLIDARITY WITH AND AMONG THE SALVADORAN PEOPLE IN EL SALVADOR AND THE UNITED STATES IN THE STRUGGLE FOR ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS. Archives
April 2024
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