On Thursday, March 14, 2013, U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) circulated a House sign-on “Dear Colleague” letter addressing the ongoing peace talks between the Colombian Government and the FARC guerillas and how U.S. policy should emphasize and promote human rights and support Colombia’s efforts to end the internal armed conflict.
A great way to make our legislators pay attention is to get their phones ringing off the hooks. Let’s give Washington a piece of our minds through thousands of phone calls that will tell them now is the time to support peace and justice in Colombia.
Just follow this simple three-step process to make your call:
Step 1– Click here to find your Representative’s phone number. If you don’t know who your representative is, enter your zip-code in upper right hand corner of the page under “Find Your Representative.”
Step 2– Once connected; ask to speak to with the Foreign Policy aide. If he/she is not available, leave a message.
“My name is _______ and I am a constituent of Representative _______. I am calling about a Dear Colleague letter sponsored by Representatives McGovern and Schakowsky to support the peace process in Colombia.
The letter calls for the State Department to support ongoing peace negotiations, but to also advocate for:
- including victims of violence and civil society in the peace process,
- Press for an independent truth commission and strong measures to ensure justice for severe human rights abuses by all parties to the conflict.
- It urges both governments to pay special attention to protecting human rights defenders and rural communities during and after peace is negotiated.
- It calls on our government to transform aid to Colombia so that it is aid for peace, not aid for war.
Colombians are calling for peace. Can I count on him/her to sign on?”
Step 3– After you’ve made the call, tell us how it went!
- Tweet us @LAWGaction and @HRColombia
- Write on the LAWG Facebook page and the Stand for Land Rights Facebook page.
If you have any questions, please contact Omar Martinez at omartinez@lawg.org.
