Coffee Hour:US impact on Colombia: militarization and farmers being displaced from their land 12/4
Saturday, December 4th /2010
10:00am-11:45am
At the Resource Center of the Americas
US impact on Colombia: militarization and farmers being displaced from their land
Presented in English
Description:
Michele Braley and Nils Dybvig will share information about two ways that our policies and actions in the United States are directly impacting the people of Colombia and what you can do about it. First, you will hear an update about the US accord with Colombia for the US to station troops on 7 Colombian military bases. Next, you will hear about land being taken from farmers for palm oil production. Palm oil is used in many foods and soaps we purchase. Michele and Nils lived in Barrancabermeja, Colombia from 2006 to 2008 where they provided physical and political accompaniment to organizations and communities at risk of violence due to the ongoing armed conflict. They recently returned from a short stay in Colombia where they joined an international protest at the Palenquero Air Base and also met with farmers who have been displaced by their land for the production of palm oil.
Speakers:
Michele Braley is the Program Manager for Seward Longfellow Restorative Justice Partnership which offers a community alternative to juvenile court for youth committing misdemeanor offenses in the Seward and Greater Longfellow neighborhoods of South Minneapolis.
Nils Dybvig is a case manager for Catholic Charities where he works in a transitional housing program for people who were formerly homeless. They were fulltime volunteers for two years with Christian Peacemaker Teams. CPT provides accompaniment and support to communities committed to nonviolent alternatives in situations where lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy. Michele and Nils continue as part time volunteers with CPT.
Contact Information:
Michele can be reached at michelebraley@gmail.com and Nils can be reached at nilsdybvig@gmail.com
