The North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee Blog

How can you help the victims of our energy policies?

Many people are surprised to learn that coal burned in the Salem power plant, and across the United States, is imported increasingly from Colombia. Low-sulphur coal is Colombia's third largest export.

Much of this coal is mined in Colombia's poorest province, La Guajira. Four times the size of Manhattan, El Cerrejón is the worldís largest open-pit coal mine. One by one, small indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities that have lived together, farmed, hunted, and fished for centuries, are being destroyed. Company agents illegally wiped the village of Tabaco off the map in 2001 to expand the mine and, on the expanding edge of the pit, the villagers of Tamaquito are being asphyxiated by the dust.

We learned first hand from local villagers and the mineowners about the terrible human impact of this mine when an international group of concerned citizens went on a Witness for Peace delegation to Colombia to visit the mining region in August, 2006.

1. If you would like to donate to the North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee, please contact us by email, or call 978-542-6389. The money will be used to bring medical supplies to the communities in La Guajira, and to organize new delegations to visit the area.
2. The women of Guajira have a long tradition of weaving. They have asked us to help their communities survive by bringing their products to Americans. We will be importing unique and colorful Colombian handbags for gift-giving. The money you pay for these bags goes directly to the women of Tabaco and Tamaquito whose lives, families, and villages are under siege from the impact of the gigantic Cerrejón coal mine. For more information contact HealthLink or call 781-598-1115; or contact the North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee (978-542-6389).
   
3. Join our e-list and receive emails from the North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee. You can sign up HERE .
4. You could help us out a great deal by joining our delegation to Colombia next summer, or by helping us publicize it! Please contact us by email, or call 978-542-6389.
5. Would you like to organize an event in your community drawing attention to the problems faced by Colombians today? It doesn't matter where in the country you are, we all need to become more aware of what's happening in Colombia. It also doesn't matter what country you live in, as many nations around the world are involved in the acquisition of Colombia's natural resources at the expense of the citizens of Colombia. Again, please contact us by email, or call 978-542-6389.
6. You can write a letter to your local paper or even a national one. If you need help gathering information to compose a letter, there are several resources. Our own website has a wealth of information; and our LINKS page refers to other websites that also have much information about issues facing Colombians today. See also our BLOG for the status of current issues that are on the table right now; and, once more, you can contact us by email or by calling 978-542-6389.

posted by Alan  # 8:51 PM