140 people were massacred in Colombia in early January by death squads tied to the Colombian army, which is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid every year from the Pentagon. At the same time, guerilla movements there now control a third of the country. There is a very real possibility of the U.S. sending tens of thousands of troops to intervene. Hear a perspective on the crisis from someone who has lived it, and what people in the U.S. can do to stop this new war by the Pentagon before it starts.

Guest Speaker: Gloria Florez, founder and executive director of the Association for the Promotion of Alternative Social Policy (MINGA) and a recipient of the 1998 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Gloria Florez offers a unique perspective on the Colombian crisis, having worked directly with dozens of
communities hardest hit by the conflict, especially in the Magdelena Medio region, for the last 18 years.

Since founding MINGA in 1992, Gloria has focused on communities displaced by political violence, particularly women. Today MINGA provides protective accompaniment and the legal assistance needed to rebuild the communities. MINGA offers educational programs and advisory services to local human rights groups, labor unions, peasant associations, and women's organizations throughout Colombia, including legal assistance in more than 300 human rights cases, and has organized humanitarian assistance for 500 displaced families. Gloria has also represented MINGA in efforts to coordinate the work of all Colombia's human rights groups as an active member of the Coordinacion Colombia-Europa-USA.

Death Squad Member Camilo Aurelio Morantes,
who operates openly and without interference
from the military.

Friday, March 5 th, 7: 00pm

Calvary United Methodist Church, 1459 Columbia Rd. NW
Suggested donation: $5 (no one turned away for lack of funds!)

For more info: 202-588-1205, npcdc@mnsinc.com

Cultural Presentation: Mike Wheaton and friends
Initiated by: Colombia Human Rights Committee, International Action Center.
Sponsored by: Columban Justice and Peace Office, Latin American Emergency Response Network, Latin American Working Group, Nicaragua Network, Washington Peace Center, Women Strike for Peace.