In light of both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, Cuban Americans for Engagement (CAFE), has a message for them from the Cuban-American community:

“We, as Cuban Americans and American citizens, urge both parties to not fall into the trap of viewing our community as a monolithic voting bloc that is in favor of the United States' embargo on Cuba. We are a diverse body of voices with a majority that favors a policy of engagement and, ultimately, normalization of relations between the two nations.”

On Tuesday, August 21, 2012, Mexico’s Supreme Court handed down a historic ruling that declared unconstitutional a section of the military code that has been used to grant military courts jurisdiction over all crimes committed by the Mexican armed forces, thereby permitting the military to investigate their own soldiers accused of even torture, rape and extrajudicial execution of civilians and thwarting victims in their efforts to find justice.  

Last month, the tragic shooting in Colorado horrified the nation. Did you know that the AR-15 type guns used in the Colorado shooting have been found at many violent crime scenes in Mexico – and that many of these weapons have been traced to the United States?  Check out this short video to learn how these guns are trafficked to Mexico, who profits, and what President Obama can do to help STOP the violence in Mexico.



Watch the video and TAKE ACTION to urge President Obama to act now to stop gun trafficking into Mexico!

Over the past month, the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity has traveled 6,000 miles across the United States calling for the U.S to do its part to stop violence in Mexico. From LA to Chicago, Houston to Cleveland, caravaneros have reached 25 cities calling for an end to the failed drug war that has left over 60,000 dead and 10,000 disappeared in Mexico over the last five years.

On Monday, September 10th, the Caravan will arrive to Washington, D.C., the final stop of the Caravan.  Poet and movement leader Javier Sicilia and victims who have lost loved ones to violence in Mexico will be here to make their voices heard in our nation’s capital – and we ask you to JOIN US and add your voice in calling for an end to the failed policies, an end to bloodshed.

On Wednesday, September 12th, LAWG and partners are organizing a Vigil/Procession for Peace to commemorate the 60,000 people who have died in Mexico’s misguided “war on drugs.”  We will gather at 5:30 p.m. at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Church—1525 Newton St. NW Washington, D.C.  At 6:30pm, we’ll march down 16th Street to Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park for a candlelight vigil.

Will you join us on Wednesday, September 12th to make a statement alongside victims of violence from Mexico?

Since August 12, 2012, Mexico's Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity has traveled 6,000 miles across the United States calling for the U.S. to do its part to stop violence in Mexico. The caravaneros are calling for an end to the failed drug war that has left over 60,000 dead and 10,000 disappeared in Mexico over the last five years.

Join us on Wednesday, September 12th in the House of Representatives, Rayburn 2226 from 12-1:30 p.m. as U.S. Caravan Riders Tell their Stories.  Join LAWG's Executive Director, Lisa Haugaard, and the caravaneros as they brief Congress demanding new policies that will Foster peace, justice and human dignity on both sides of the border.

For the past couple of months, LAWG and other organizations have been organizing a series of events for the Caravan  for Peace with Justice and Dignity's final stop in Washington, D.C. from Monday, September 10th - Wednesday, September 12t. If you are in the D.C. area please join us for these unique series of events.

 
We just celebrated Labor Day here in the United States, but Colombian workers have no room for celebration.

In our last alert we told you we would keep you updated on the injured workers from ASOTRECOL. Well, it turns out they need our help again. GM failed to propose realistic solutions to their demands during their mediation. Now, our friends from ASOTRECOL are restarting their hunger strike. As they continue to pressure GM for due compensation, we need to tell Congress to stand up for labor rights in Colombia and enforce the Labor Action Plan.  As you recall, both governments signed the Labor Action Plan before the Free Trade Agreement was passed by Congress.

On Monday, September 10th, the Caravan will arrive to Washington, DC, the final stop of the Caravan.  Poet and movement leader Javier Sicilia and victims who have lost loved ones to violence in Mexico will be here to make their voices heard in our nation’s capital – and we ask you to JOIN US and add your voice in calling for an end to the failed policies, an end to bloodshed.

On Wednesday, September 12th, LAWG and partners are organizing a Vigil/Procession for Peace to commemorate the 60,000 people who have died in Mexico’s misguided “war on drugs.”  We will gather at 5:30 p.m. at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Church—1525 Newton St. NW Washington, D.C.  At 6:30pm, we’ll march down 16th Street to Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park for a candlelight vigil.  Will you join us on Wednesday, September 12th to make a statement alongside victims of violence from Mexico?

If you live in or near D.C. we hope you can join us for this and other Caravan events.  Don’t live in DC, but know someone who does? Do your part by spreading the word.

Here’s the full list of events. Please join us – and spread the word!

Monday, September 10th
7 pm Rally at Freedom Plaza  to Welcome the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity to Washington, D.C. ( Freedom Plaza: Pennsylvania Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets, NW)

Tuesday, September 11th
8:30-10am The Peace Movement in Mexico: Efforts to Bring Justice to the Victims of Violence in the Country
Sponsored by the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest

12-2pm Panel with Members of the Caravan for Peace
Sponsored by the American University Kay Spiritual Life Center
4400 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
To RSVP, please click here.

6:00-7:30pm U.S. Guns and Violence in Mexico: A Bi-national Call for Solutions
Sponsored by LAWG, the Washington Office on Latin America, and the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University
1957 E Street Northwest
Lindner Family Commons
To RSVP, please click here.

Wednesday, September 12th
5:30- 9pm Vigil and Procession for Peace
5:30- Welcome at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church (1525 Newton St. NW)
6:30-Procession begins from St. Stephen’s down 16th St. towards Meridian Hill Park/Malcolm X Park
7:30-9-Music & Caravan Closing (16th St. & Euclid St.)

We still need help setting and cleaning up for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, not to mention marshalls to help direct people for the rally on Monday and Vigil on Wednesday night. Email Ruth Robles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you’d like to help!

Can’t make it to anything, but wish you could? We’ve got you covered. We understand life gets in the way sometimes so stay tuned for pictures from the Caravan’s stop in DC. Click here to check out the Caravan’s photo stream! 

To RSVP, please click here.

Featuring:

Joy Olson
Executive Director, WOLA

Sergio Aguayo
Professor, Center for International Studies, El Colegio de Mexico (Mexico City)

Tom Diaz
Senior Policy Analyst, Violence Policy Center

(Speaker from the Caravan for Peace, TBD)

Lindner Family Commons
Elliott School of International Affairs
George Washington University
1957 E Street Northwest
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

To RSVP, please click here.

For more information, please contact Clay Boggs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Countless families across Mexico have been devastated by drug-related violence, with an estimated 60,000 drug-related deaths since Mexican President Felipe Calderón took office in 2006. In 2011, the son of Mexican poet Javier Sicilia was found murdered, presumably by organized crime gunmen.  Out of this grief, a peace movement in Mexico has emerged. This influential movement has mobilized and united thousands across Mexico to call for an end to the violence,  joining in cross-country marches, holding vigils and processions, and engaging in dialogue with Mexico’s highest political leaders.
 
On August 12, 2012, over 100 members of the Peace Movement crossed the border from Tijuana to San Diego to start a month-long caravan across the United States to raise awareness about violence in Mexico and to engage in dialogue with victims of violence in the United States.
 
The Peace Movement has identified U.S. arms trafficking to Mexico as a critical bi-national issue. According to the ATF, 70 percent of guns recovered by Mexican authorities and submitted for tracing in the past three years are of U.S. origin. The United States must do its part to stop the massive flow of weapons across its borders. If powerful assault weapons are readily available close to the border, they will continue to make their way into the hands of criminal groups.
 
Please join us for this timely and important discussion about the violence in Mexico, arms trafficking from the United States, and the role of the Peace Movement in a bi-national campaign to stem the flow of arms across the border.