Friends of Brad Will Launch Intervention at Congressional Hearing on Plan Mexico
http://elenemigocomun.net/1352
(includes Leaked documents)

As you all know Plan Mexico is a secret “security pact” to expand the ‘drug war’ in Mexico which would provide lethal equipment - including helicopters, surveillance equipment, and lethal training to brutal Mexican security forces and corrupt government institutions. Much more information is available at
http://www.friendsofbradwill.org/category/plan-mexico

I found the pieces by Laura Carlsen and Claudio Albertani particularly useful. The press release by the United Steelworkers and Global Exchange’s analysis of free trade and immigration also provide useful insights into the many reasons to oppose Plan Mexico. Much more exists online for inquiring mind to explore and consider.

ACTION

1. Write to and call congress people (these are the people who have the power to demand an investigation and at least not reward the murder and cover up w/significant lethal aid (taxpayer $) which would be used to continue to target activist, miners/teachers and other workers, indigenous leaders, environmentalists.)

2. Set up a meeting with your congresspeople and bring them materials available at friendsofbradwill.org to show real people care.

3. Issue (or ask to be issued) on behalf of more NGOs, community-based groups, and unions to demand an end to impunity (for the murder of Brad Will and other innocents murdered by Mexican security forces) and in opposition to Plan Mexico. We got lots of statements from Mexican organizations but not as many yet from groups with members who knew Brad.

4. Plan to attend Congressional hearings on February 7th in Washington, D.C. and provide/obtain housing, transportation, $ for gas and photocopies for that important effort. Offer to work in support of that effort if you can’t make it by doing press work, preparing copies/portfolios of information etc.

Here below is the language from the flyer we provided at our citywide meeting two days ago, supplemented with calls for fair hearings on Plan Mexico which include opponents to this ‘drug war’ boondoggle.

Action Steps

We are asking activists to call relevant U.S. committee chairs to demand accountability for Brad’s murder and the murder of many teachers and their supporters. Accountability must precede any provision of U.S. taxpayer-funded lethal aid to the corrupt and brutal Mexican security forces and government.

Plan Mexico must be made fully public and reforms of the Mexican judiciary and police must precede any lethal aid being given to corrupt Mexican government institutions. We demand fair Congressional hearings which provide opportunities for serious concerns about the dangers of Plan Mexico to inform Congressional deliberation.

Call relevant Congress members to urge that they take a strong position against Plan Mexico:

★ Congress member Elliot Engel
Chair of Western Hemispheric Affairs Subcommittee: 202-225-2464

★ Congress member Tom Lantos
Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee: 202-225-3531

★ Congress member Nita Lowey
Chair of Foreign Operations Subcommittee: 202-225-6506

Also - if you have time - please call the offices of candidates for President to urge that they take a strong position against Plan Mexico:

Mike Gravel: 703-652-4698

★ Senator Barack Obama: 202-224-2854
★ Senator Hillary Clinton: 212-688-6262

source: http://www.friendsofbradwill.org

A través de negociaciones secretas la administración de Bush y el presidente de México Felipe Calderón han acordado expandir su fracasada “guerra contra las drogas” en el vecino país. Siguiendo los pasos del fallido Plan Colombia estas negociaciones han establecido un llamado Plan México.

Para el Center for Internacional Policy detener el Plan Mexico es uno de los tres desafíos mas importantes para proteger los esfuerzos para construir sociedades mas justas y pacificas en América Latina. Este ha declarado que, “no podemos concebir una política constructiva y coherente en el hemisferio sin tomar estos primeros pasos.”

Los Amigos de Brad Will (www.friendsofbradwill.org) han estado organizando acciones para detener el Plan México y necesitan que ustedes tomen con nosotros las siguientes acciones.

En Noviembre, el Sindicato de Trabajadores del Acero (United Steel Workers) declaro su oposición al Plan Mexico.

Acciones
Pedimos que los activistas hagan llamadas telefónicas a presidentes de algunos comités en el congreso federal de los Estados Unidos demandado responsabilidad en el caso del asesinato de Brad Hill y las muertes de maestros y otras personas. Responsabilidad por estos crímenes debe preceder cualquier desembolso de ayuda letal pagada con nuestros impuestos a las brutales y corruptas fuerzas de seguridad y gobierno Mexicanos.

El Plan México debe de hacerse publico y reformas judiciales y policiales deben de preceder cualquier ayuda letal hecha a las corruptas instituciones del gobierno mexicano.

Hagan un llamada telefónica a miembros del Congreso para demandarles que tomen una posición firme en contra del Plan México:

* Congress member Elliot Engel
Chair of Western Hemispheric Affairs Subcommittee: 202-225-2464
* Congress member Tom Lantos
Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee: 202-225-3531
* Congress member Nita Lowey
Chair of Foreign Operations Subcommittee:202-225-6506

De tener tiempo por favor también llamar a las oficinas de los candidatos presidenciales demandándoles tomar una posición firme en contra del Plan México:

* Senator Hillary Clinton: 212-688-6262
* Senator Barack Obama: 202-224-2854

También haga una cita y reúnanse con estos representantes. Estas son acciones muy efectivas. Háganos saber que es lo que les dicen (tambien les podemos ayudar con la preparación de materiales)