The National Days of Action for Colombia have begun! As we write you this update, people all across the country are gathering their materials, friends, and families, and are preparing to “face the displaced.” Are you?
If this is the first time you’re hearing about it, don’t worry; it’s not too late. Here are four ways you can get involved in the movement to stand with those working for peace in Colombia.
- Feeling creative? Host a “Face the Displaced” gathering. It’s hard to be apathetic when you’re looking injustice straight in the eye. So this year we’re creating large portraits of forty brave displaced people who have shared their photos and words with us in hopes that it will help us involve our communities in making change in U.S. policies towards Colombia. But in order to be noticed, we need to make a lot of posters–that’s where you come in. Click here to check out the faces, stories, and portrait-making instructions we’ve put together for you and then sign up today to host a poster-making party.
- Want to speak out? Organize a public display in your area. We’ll connect you with the portrait-makers in your city. All you need to do is tap into your network–be it through a student group, a community organization, or just a big group of your friends and family–and pick a good place and time during April to display the posters in a way that will make the public face up to the reality of what our policies are doing in Colombia. Click here to get tips on organizing a successful display and to register it on our website where you can track all the attendees. Or if you don’t have a network but want to get involved, click here to find an action happening in your area.
- Are you a person of faith? Get your congregation to hold a service where you can display the portraits, tell the stories, and join Colombian churches in praying for peace on Sunday, April 18th. Click here to check out the faith organizing packet filled with information about the displacement crisis as well as sample prayers, sermons, and fliers.
- Make your phone call to Congress during the National Call-In Day on Monday, April 19th. In the days beforehand, we’ll send you the info you’ll need to get your representatives’ phones ringing off the hook and hearing a clear message. All you’ll have to do is get everyone you know to make a call.
We know that any of these activities may seem daunting to take on alone. So that’s why Vanessa will be on call all month to help you plan or to answer any questions that may come up. Just send her an email at vkritzer@lawg.org and she’ll help you work it out.
We’re so excited to see what you can do!
