Dear friends of Cauca, life and dignity,Miguel was freed last night.
For Spanish speakers, a message telling a bit of the story of the night is below. I'll paraphrase....
The various social organizations of Cauca went to the DAS (Administrative Security Department) headquarters in Popayan in the evening and waited there a long time. There were confrontations taking place elsewhere in the area between police and indigenous 'squatters' (an oxymoron, but you get what I mean) reclaiming land. They weren't sure what to expect. The district attorney handling his case showed up, then the mayor. Then Miguel left the building.
Here's a translation of the description of that moment in the message below, from one of Miguel's best friends, a leader of a sister campesino organization in Cauca: "The joy was tremendous. Some started to applaud, others shouted chants, the embraces began immediat ely. Tears of elation ran, confusing themselves together with the rain that fell. The embraces continued as journalists asked their questions, and Miguel responded: 'Thank you to everyone, especially the organizations.' The night was a jubilee for everyone. We felt good about all the efforts made. We felt that we won a battle -- and that the struggle continues. Miguel smiled, but looked a bit emaciated. He said that for him too it had been a dday full of anguish."
Thank you all for the actions you have taken demanding Miguel's release -- especially to all those who participated in the Consulate action in Boston.
I have asked the Cauca social organizations to send a new 'communicado'/statement as soon as possible announcing this news, sharing what they've done over recent days, and asking for renewed actions seeking Jose Vicente's release and protection against future attacks for all those who st ruggle for life and dignity. As soon as this arrives, I'll translate it for circulation among all the organizations and unions that have taken action on these cases over the last week.
Again: thank you.
Peace, Phillip Cryan
Ames, Iowa
C 515-708-2364
Hola Hermanos
Todos estabamos pendientes y sabiamos que algo a favor podia acontecer, pero teniamos nuestras dudas pues si esto ha sido un montage politico, cualquier cosa sucederia. Todos llamavamos a la CUT, unos nos llamavamos a otros, el dia no fua tranquilo. Llegaron las 7 p.m. y decidimos irnos hacia las instalaciones del DAS, alli serca nos fuimos agrupando, llegaron de todas las organizaciones, fueron ratos largos alli parados esperando, nos dieron tiempo para ponernos al dia de los ultimos acontecimientos, esa misma noche los indigenas estaban peliando con la pilicia , havian quince heridos pero decian que todo iba bien, otros comentaron sobre la confabulacion del gobernador para partir el proceso del CRIC y de la ACIN, todos presagiamos momentos duros para las organizaciones, en fin nunca han sidi faciles, lo que si estamos de acuerdo es que es un tiempo neuralgico. Cada momento miramos hacia la puerta del DAS y nada, en eso llega la fiscal encargada, luego llego el Alcalde, alguien dijo la cosa se puso buena , parece que si. Efectivamente empeso el proceso, inicialmente salieron algunas cosas que Miguel tenia para poder medio vivir en esa celda, luego aparecio E. Fue una alegria inmensa, algunos empesaron aplaudir, otros a gritar consignas, los abrasos no esperaron , las lagrimas de emocion corrieron confundiendoce con la lluvia que caia, los abrasos se repetian mientras los periodistas preguntaban y
Ariana Flores
Jobs With Justice
3353 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02130
w: 617-524-8778
c: 857-928-2677
Posted by nscolombia at 9:44 PM EST
