Friendship Office of the Americas – Page 103 – A social justice organization that fosters solidarity between the peoples of Nicaragua, Honduras and the United States and pursues polices of peace and friendship.

By adminAugust 1, 2007Uncategorized

British report criticizes Turks and Caicos in deadly Haitian capsizing

2007-08-01PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – Turks and Caicos authorities were ill-equipped to handle the capsizing of a boat in which 61 Haitian migrants died, British maritime investigators said in a report released Wednesday.Britain’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it could not be determined, however, whether Turks and Caicos marine police had caused the overloaded boat to capsize in rough waters off its coast in May.Several migrants accused police of ramming their sloop, capsizing it and pitching passengers overboard into shark-filled waters.

By adminJuly 30, 2007Uncategorized

Just Say NO! signature ad goes to press!

On Tues, July 31, our ad signed by hundreds of Americans was published in the Hill newspaper sending a clear message to Congress before they leave for the August recess. The pending trade agreements with Peru, Panama, Colombia and Korea are just four more NAFTA style, corporate pacts. Last November, U.S voters as well as people from around the world stood up to call for a trade model based on economic justice rather than corporate greed. read more

By adminJuly 30, 2007Uncategorized

Colombian Women Say No to the FTA

Last week ART, together with WOLA, Oxfam-America and AFSC, co sponsored a delegation of women political and civic leaders from Colombia for a week of lobbying to express their opposition to the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

By adminJuly 18, 2007Uncategorized

URGENT ACTION ON SITUATION ON OAXACA

NEW INCREASE OF POLICE REPRESSION AGAINST POPULAR MOVEMENT IN OAXACA! This Monday, 16th July, about 11:30 am, members of the local police, the preventive police and the bank & industry police confronted, with gas bombs and stones, a demonstration from the Popular Assembly of the Oaxacan Peoples (APPO) and teachers from the XXII section of the National Union of Education Workers who tried to get to the Guelaguetza Auditorium, located at the Fortín Hill in Oaxaca City, as part of the popular festival of the Oaxacans.

By adminJuly 18, 2007Uncategorized

Fast Track is dead. Lets bury the four FTAs.

Dear Friends of Fair Trade: Let’s Celebrate! Fast Track expired on June 30 without a presidential request to Congress for renewal. The mounting opposition and pressure we have built to the failed "free trade" model is having an impact. Thank you for sharing in the campaign to defeat Fast Track. read more

By adminJuly 18, 2007Uncategorized

Bush pushes Congress for FTAs citing national security

President Bush appeals to national security in an intensified push to get Congress to pass four Free Trade Agreements (Peru, Panama, Colombia and Korea). On July 18, 2007, the Congress Daily reports, "In an echo of rhetoric rarely heard since the end of the Cold War, the administration plans to increasingly point to trade as a weapon to block the influence of regimes that seek to promote socialist ideas in Latin America." read more

By adminJuly 18, 2007Uncategorized

Citi Bank lobbies Congress to pass FTA's

Citi Bank sends letter to Congress asking for swift approval of the four Free Trade Agreements with Peru, Colombia, Panama and Korea. Stating that the FTA’s are essential for "creating new market opportunities and eliminating discrimination for Citi and other U.S. financial institutions," the letter outlines a hefty package of benefits afforded to Citi through the FTA’s. read more

By adminJuly 11, 2007Uncategorized

Fundraiser for Haiti Reborn

Please join us this Sunday for a silent auction of local and Haitian art to raise money for our programs in Haiti. When: Sunday, July 15 from 11:30 to 1:30Where: Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church3215 Powder Mill RoadAdelphi, Maryland 20783

By adminJune 25, 2007Uncategorized

US Social Forum Workshops on Haiti and Fair Trade

A few workshops you might be interested in if you are heading to the U.S. Social Forum this week.Our partner organization the Alliance for Responsible Trade (based here at the Quixote Center) is offering several workshops together with our partner networks from Mexico, Central and South America and Canada. These are the times and locations. Thursday June 28th 10:30hrs in Ballroom B of the Hotel Westin Atlanta 210 Peachtree St.read more

By adminJune 25, 2007Uncategorized

SOA Survives by 6 Votes

The vote on the McGovern amendment to cut funding for the School of the Americas was very close last Thursday – 203-214. Just six votes the other way would made the difference. Thanks to everybody who made a phone call or otherwise supported this effort. We get closer every year!. You can read up dates about the vote and the work ahead at SOA Watch’s website.