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Solidarity Actions Needed! Take Action for the U'wa!

"We will in no way sell our Mother Earth, to do so would be to give up our work of collaborating with the spirits to protect the heart of the world, which sustains and gives life to the rest of the universe, it would be to go against our own origins, and those of all existence."
- Statement of the U'wa People, August 1998

"We are all children of the Earth, help us to defend her."
-Berito Kuwar U'wa, spokesperson Traditional U'wa Authority

Tens of thousands of activists around the world have been organizing to support Colombia's U'wa people in their struggle to protect their lands and culture from Occidental Petroleum's efforts to drill. The U'wa, like traditional indigenous peoples everywhere on the frontiers of the expanding corporate global economy are in a life or death struggle. We have reached a dire moment in the struggle - as of Nov 3 Occidental has begun test drilling at the Gibraltar 1 drillsite.

Hundreds of solidarity actions have happened in cities across nearly 20 countries. In the U.S. U'wa supporters have continually demanded that Vice President Al Gore break his silence on this issue and use his long standing personal and political ties to both Oxy and the Colombian government to help the U'wa. With the drilling now under way it is even more important that we answer the U'wa call for international solidarity actions.

Oxy has clearly chosen to begin the drilling at a time when they think they can use America's presidential election to avoid public scrutiny of their criminal actions. It is up to us to break the silence and push Vice President Al Gore to speak out at this critical time.

The sacred traditions of the U'wa have been disregarded, their rights trampled as thousands of troops have invaded their ancestral homelands and the future of their people hangs in the balance. The issue is clear - will Al Gore call on Oxy and the Colombian government to stop the project or not? Will Al Gore stand up for human rights and the environment or will he continue to allow Occidental to buy his silence?

Contact the Vice President and ask him! Demand he take action! Call/fax the Vice President's office in D.C. "Phone: 202-456-2326 FAX: 202-456-2685

Internationally go to your nearest Colombian or US embassy! Let them know that there is a global people's movement demanding justice for the U'wa!

Mobilize in your own community. Whether its a prayer circle, a rally, a vigil, an informational picket, a fundraiser or an act of non-violent civil disobedience - stand up for the U'wa and make your voice heard.

The struggle for justice must take many forms but please remember to make sure whatever actions you take are in keeping with the U'wa spirit of resistance and are respectful, dignified and non-violent.

For background information on the U'wa, Al Gore's connections to Oxy and for downloadable materials check out the following web sites.

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
Amazon Watch
Project Underground
Action Resource Center (ARC)

THE U'WA NEED MONEY! In order to continue their resistance and to engage in mass mobilizing the U'wa need tens of thousands of dollars to pay off debts, buy food and supplies! Can you help?

Let us know what's happening in your community. Contact Rainforest Action Network. E-mail: organize@ran.org or phone: 1-800-989-RAIN/415-398-4404

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

Indigenous Links - Working with indigenous communities we are committed to raising awareness, support and funding of projects and issues on the American continent.

For more information please e-mail, phone or write to: Indigenous Links, P.O. Box 24467, London W5 5WN UK, phone +44-208 840 2786.