United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries Action Alert

Please join with our brothers and sisters across the hemisphere in a two-day special event: “Remembering the Victims and Rejoicing with the Peacemakers: Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia” on May 21 & 22, 2006

Thousands of churches and people of faith from the U.S. and Colombia are coming together to call for an end to the violence in Colombia. On Sunday, May 21, congregations across the country will stand in solidarity with our Colombian brothers and sisters who have endured so much suffering, remembering the victims of Colombia's brutal conflict and praying for a peaceful future in Colombia. Then on Monday, May 22, we will take collective action to ask that U.S. policy promote peace and justice in Colombia rather than military involvement and violence.

The war in Colombia is still going on, and the country is still home to massive internal displacement, human rights abuses by all armed actors, and the worst humanitarian crisis in our hemisphere. The 3 million internally displaced people in Colombia are exceeded in number only by those in Sudan. U.S. support for Colombia's military is only exacerbating the detrimental effect of the war on the civilian population. Congress should approve measures to increase rural alternative development programs and help the humanitarian crisis in Colombia.

In the House of Representatives, members are considering amendments to the foreign aid bill that transfer funds from Colombian military aid to economic and social aid.  Aid to rebuild the country and its people’s health is what Colombia needs, not more guns.  On Sunday, May 21, lift up prayers for peace in Colombia and compassionate wisdom for our lawmakers.  On Monday, May 22, call your representative and urge him or her to vote in favor of amendments to the foreign aid bill that transfer funds from military to humanitarian aid.

Visit http://www.peaceincolombia.org/ for more information on “Days of Prayer and Action,” or for more talking points for your call to Congress.