I recieved this communique today from activists in the province of Chalatenango in El Salvador, who have a long-standing relationship with the
activist community here in Bangor, Maine. through
US-El Salvador Sister Cities.
I was struck by the awareness that those in the CCR have of the history of stuggle in the Latino and African-American communities in Mississippi and Louisiana -- a sense that is lacking among many white progressives who tend to cast these communities as victims in a way that ignores their strength, vision, and courage.
Clearly the only real solidarity for North American activists is reciprocal solidarity that recognizes the work we have to do to confront the economic and political structures in our own country as well as supporting struggles in Latin America, and the ways in which that work is connected and can be done in partnership with social movements throughout the Americas -- I think this letter really challenges gringo activists to do that.
Chalatenango, Sept. 12th 2005.
Brothers and Sisters from the United States: New Orleans, Louisiana and Mississippi
Receive greetings of solidarity in brotherhood and sisterhood in the name of the Association of Communities for the Development of Chalatenango—CCR.
We want to express our condolences and solidarity with the above mentioned communities. We have learned that as a result of Hurricane Katrina, you all have experienced great losses of life and property.
We understand that the most affected are always the poor and that the poorest people in those communities are largely immigrants and the African American population.
We bring our condolences for the families of all the dead and disappeared. We as well, the Salvadoran people, have suffered natural disasters such as Hurricane Mitch and various earthquakes. We have had many difficulties with the incompetence of the government in not providing enough support for the affected people. Many times this lack of support is not the lack of resources but the lack of willingness. We are aware that you all are facing the same neglect.
In light of this we consider it very important to maintain these ties of friendship and struggle between our communities.
We know that immigrants from Latin American countries and the African American community have a history of struggle to obtain the rights that have been denied them due to oppression. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina has revealed to the world that there is still much injustice in the United States. We sympathize with this natural and social disaster that you all have experienced.
As the Association of Communities for the Development of Chalatenango, we want to bring life to the continued struggle for justice of our people and communities.
In Solidarity
The Directive Council and Communities of the CCR.
En español
Chalatenango, 12 de septiembre de 2005.
Hermanos/as de los Estados Unidos: New Orleáns, Louisiana y Missisippi
Presente:
Reciban un fraterno y solidario saludo en nombre de la Asociación de Comunidades para el Desarrollo de Chalatenango- CCR.
Queremos manifestar nuestra condolencia y solidaridad con su pueblo, ya que tenemos conocimiento que debido al Huracán Katrina, se han dado perdidas grandes de vidas humanas y perdidas materiales.
Entendemos que los más afectados son siempre los más pobres y los más pobres son los migrantes y el pueblo Africano Americano.
Por todos los fallecidos y desaparecidos brindamos nuestra condolencia con sus familias.
Contarles que nosotros como pueblo salvadoreño hemos sufrido desastres naturales tales como Huracán Mitch y varios terremotos. Tuvimos muchas dificultades en la incompetencia del gobierno ya que el apoyo hacia la gente no fue el suficiente. Muchas veces no es falta de recursos sino falta de voluntad, en brindar el apoyo. Conocemos que ustedes están enfrentando las mismas negaciones.
Por eso consideramos que es muy importante mantener esos lazos de amistad y lucha entre los pueblos.
Sabemos que la gente emigrante de países latinos y el pueblo africano americano, han traído una trayectoria de lucha, por lograr sus derechos que siempre se les han negado debido a la opresión. La tragedia de Hurácan Katrina ha revelado para el mundo que todavia hay mucha injusticia para el pueblo estadounidense. Sentimos este desastre natural y social que han tenido.
Como Asociación de comunidades para el Desarrollo de Chalatenango, les animamos ha que continuemos luchando por la justicia de nuestros pueblos.
En Solidaridad,
Junta Directiva y Comunidades de CCR.
