Stop Plan Colombia!



Defend Colombian Trade Union and Human Rights
February 25-26, 2005
DePaul Student Center Atrium, 2250 N. Sheffield
DePaul University - Chicago


In Colombia, every week, two to three trade unionists are murdered by paramilitary
death squads. As the U.S. wages war in Iraq for control of oil, Colombia becomes
more important as an oil producer for the U.S. empire. Under Plan Colombia, the
United States has sent over $3 billion to the Colombian government, which supports
terror against the Colombian people and workers. Yet, despite ten years of
intensifying repression, the unions continue to organize, struggle for human rights
and dignity, and to improve wages, benefits and working conditions.
We will hear from the courageous trade unionists and activists who confront the
repression every day. This conference will bring together activists, students and
scholars to learn about the grave situation facing Colombia directly from the
experiences and analysis of these trade unionists and leaders of the movements for
social justice and freedom. Also featured are activists from the Boycott Coca-Cola
Campaign and other work promoting solidarity and human rights for the Colombian
people. Our goal is to defend human and worker rights, and to “Stop Plan
Colombia” before no one is left to silence. “No Blood For Oil” in Iraq OR
Colombia!
Friday, February 25th , 7:00 PM









Luis Adolfo Cardona, Coca-Cola death squad survivor and Colombian trade unionist.
Javier Correa, President of the Coca-Cola Workers Union SINALTRAINAL, speaking on
Violations of Trade Union and Human Rights under Plan Colombia.
Dan Kovalik, United Steelworkers of America, speaking on Oil, Terror, and U.S.
Intervention in Colombia
Meredith Aby, Colombia Action Network, speaking on How to Stop Plan Colombia!
Dance Performance by Tierra Colombiana

Saturday, February 26th , 8:00 AM

Coca-Cola Boycott Panel: Luis Adolfo Cardona (SINALTRAINAL), Javier Correa
(SINALTRAINAL), Dan Kovalik (Steel Workers’ lawyer who brought the Coke lawsuit),
Tom Burke of Colombia Action Network and SEIU, and student activists of the
“Campaign to Boycott Killer Coke”

No Blood for Oil Panel: Martin Sanchez, General Consul of Venezuela; Jhony Meneses,
Colombian Taxi Drivers’ Union; Suzanne Adely, Arab American Action Network; and
Meredith Aby of the Colombia Action Network

Workshops: Venezuela and the World Youth Festival; The Global Corporate Land Grab;
Fair Trade, Not Free Trade; Kicking Coke Off Campus; “Eyewitness Colombia—And
You Can Too;” and Human Rights in Colombia: Free Ricardo Palmera!

Co-sponsored by the Colombia Action Network, DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment,
and the Activist Student Union of DePaul.
info (at) colombiaactionnetwork.org or go to www.colombiaactionnetwork.org
Suggested donation for Saturday Conference, $20 or $10 for students. Meals provided.