Chiapas Partnership Project

Howard County Friends of Latin America:
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Chiapas Partnership Project The Chiapas Partnership Project was started in 1998 in order raise awareness in our community of what is happening in Chiapas, increase understanding here of the lives and cultures of our neighbors in southern Mexico; and help safeguard the human rights of people in Chiapas. In September 1999, with financial support from the Chiapas Partnership Project, a young Baltimore lawyer named Erika began a year of living and working in Chiapas and its people. When Erika had to return to Baltimore for health reasons, her place was taken by another volunteer.

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Looking Forward: Chiapas Partnership Project Events

January 8, 2000: Chiapas: Eyewitness to Conflict, with Erika.

Looking Back

September 29, 1999. Jorge Luis Sierra was the featured speaker on the topic "Human Rights Issues in Mexico." An assistant to Congressman Gilberto Lopez y Rivas and expert on militarization, Sr. Sierra has written and spoken extensively on the topic. After his presentation in Howard County, many who had been in the audience sent urgent messages on his behalf to Mexican officials after learning several days later that Sr. Sierra had received death threats.

On June 13 a Send off Fiesta for our Chiapas volunteer took place at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center.

On Tuesday June 1 and Friday June 5th a fundraising phonathon was held at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center

On April 5, 1999 a resolution supporting the Chiapas Partnership Project and calling for U. S. military aid to be re-directed was introduced before the Howard County Council. The resolution had previously been reviewed by the Howard County Human Rights Commission and endorsed unanimously. The Howard County Council held a hearing on the resolution April 19, 1999, and approved the resolution on May 3, 1999 . The Fray Bartolome Center in Chiapas wrote a letter of appreciation to the Human Rights Commission.

On March 20-26, 1999, a two member team from HoCoFoLa travelled to Chiapas. See their report with photos. Be patient -- this page has 12 photographs and will take some time to load.

February 18, 1999. Secial Event: "Chiapas Update" Speaker: Mercedes Osuna, Coordinator of Enlace Civil in Chiapas, Mexico. Ms. Osuna spoke about the current situation in Chiapas and described the Zapatista movement. She also covered the status of peace talks and the impact of militarization and death squads on indigenous communities. Enlace Civil was formed at the request of indigenous communities struggling to improve their living conditions. Serving as a bridge between the indigenous communities and national and international organizations, Enlace Civil works in the areas of human rights, education, health, agriculture, communication, and culture. A graduate of the University of Political Economy of Chiapas, Ms. Osuna has been involved in the formation of indigenous cooperatives. She also worked with Guatemalan refugees in development projects and in defense of human rights. The event was Cosponsored by Howard County Friends of Latin America; Baltimore Action for Justice in the Americas; Committee of Indigenous Solidarity; and the Columbia-Laurel Chapter of Amnesty International.

For more information: 410 740-1231; [email protected]