United Church of Christ - 2011 Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia

2011 Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia

Colombia’s faith communities stand firmly for peace amidst grueling violence. Each year, they ask faith communities across the U.S. to join them in calling for justice through the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia Campaign.

Hundreds of individuals and faith communities will send letters or dedicate part of their worship service to praying and working for peace in Colombia this weekend. Will you join?

Our past efforts have created positive changes in U.S. policies, but there is still a lot of work to do. The displacement crisis in Colombia continues at an alarming rate, with another 280,000 people forced to flee their homes last year alone. The brave communities that are working to peacefully return to their lands are facing a rising number of threats and assassinations.

Take Action:

Advocate: We call on our government to pursue policies that protect communities at risk for displacement, small-scale farmers, and Colombian human rights advocates. For sustainable peace in Colombia, the U.S. must stop funding the Colombian military and pushing the unfair U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement.

Act: Host an educational event with a focus on the roots of Colombia's displacement crisis. Create Hands for Peace artwork to be sent to Colombian communities at risk. Organize a gathering with your family and friends and send a message of solidarity to Colombian communities! Download the full organizing packet with instructions and samples.

Pray: Dedicate a worship or prayer service this month to pray for peace in Colombia.

Let us know what you do! Contact Michael Neuroth to include your efforts to the list of actions taking place across the country by individuals and faith communities.

Personalize the subject and text of the message below with your own words, if you wish.
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Click the Send Message button to send your letter to these decision makers:
- Your Senators
- Your Representative

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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With an ongoing conflict that has internally displaced over 5 million people and forced another half a million to flee to neighboring countries, Colombia now endures the largest displacement crisis in the world.  After a decade of spending billions of dollars on failed and harmful military strategies, we need to send aid to Colombia that will help alleviate the crisis and promote human rights, not negotiate more unfair trade agreements that will only push more people off their land.  The new Colombian government has made positive changes in tone about land return and prospects for peace, but community leaders and human rights defenders continue to be threatened and killed.

I ask that you:

- Prioritize funding to support displaced people, refugees, and victims of violence;
- Stop sending military aid to Colombia that fuels the war;
- Promote a negotiated end to the conflict and a just peace;
- End fumigation programs and support alternative development aid;
- Do no move forward wit any U.S.-Colombia trade agreement that could cause further mass displacement and cement drastic inequalities.

Please make these changes to promote human rights, support small-scale farmers and indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, and restore displaced people to their lands.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]