The democratically elected President, Manuel Zelaya, is back in Honduras! During the past three days, thousands of people have been gathering in the streets outside the Brazilian Embassy–where Zelaya is currently staying–to show their support. But the Honduran security forces have used tear gas and violence to break up this demonstration.
What does this mean for a concerned activist in the United States like you? If you were ever going to act, now is the time!
Since it was confirmed on Monday, September 21st, that President Zelaya was in the country, the coup regime has been violating human and civil rights. They surrounded the Brazilian Embassy and cut off their power and water in an effort to get them to turn him over. They used tear gas on the masses gathered outside and imposed a curfew to clear the streets, detaining violators in a football stadium where observers saw people who had been severely beaten. And on top of all that, they have cut off all power to any alternative media outlets.
The State Department has come out with a statement saying that "The United States calls on all parties to remain calm and avoid actions that might provoke violence in Honduras…We stress the need for dialogue…We encourage the parties to sign and implement immediately the San Jose Accord, which remains the best approach to resolve this crisis." This is good. But they must do more–and quickly.
Click here to send a fax to the State Department today or call them at 202-647-4000 to ask them to:
- Issue a more emphatic statement demanding that the coup regime refrain from any and all violations of human rights and freedom of expression;
- Continue their calls for dialogue;
- and Increase pressure on the de facto government to negotiate and to accept the immediate reinstatement of President Zelaya.
Also, if your representative has not yet co-sponsored the house resolution HRes 630, condemning the coup and supporting the reinstatement of the democratically elected government in Honduras, click here to send him/her an email to sign on today!
In the past 89 days, Hondurans opposed to the coup have shown the world a remarkable example of peaceful resistance. Now we must be strong in solidarity with them as they struggle to reclaim their democracy.
