8/13/13

URGENT: Tell U.S. Embassy to lift Eviction Order of Peaceful General Motors Protesters in Colombia

 
RELEASE: 
  
The U.S. Embassy has ordered an eviction of the tent encampment of the injured GM workers who have been struggling for justice for more than 2 years in the tents in front of the Embassy. The order came after the workers launched a symbolic crucifixion, erecting a wooden cross within the bounds of their existing structure, and binding Carlos Trujillo to the cross. Carlos is 33 years old, suffers from permanent shoulder injuries due to his time spent working at the GM assembly plant, and is currently in a foreclosure process because his mortgage was automatically transferred to a global investment bank upon his (illegal) dismissal (which was based on false charges and came immediately after he was diagnosed with his occupational injuries). Carlos is not alone, the other 6 members of ASOTRECOL share very similar stories and their paper documentation proves it.
 
In Colombia people have the right to peaceful protest, it is protected in their constitution. The Embassy, however, has decided that for these injured workers, standing up to the abuses of this U.S. company, that right should not be honored.
 
The eviction is scheduled for tomorrow. We are asking all who in any way support this struggle to make a call and send an email to the U.S. Embassy urging them to lift the eviction order.
 
Please call Labor Attache Andrea Aquilla at 011-57-1-275-2413.
Email her at AquillaAL@state.gov
 
If you do not have a way to make international calls, you can buy a phone card for a few dollars at a Latino grocery store.
 
Thank you for standing with the injured workers of ASOTRECOL and for justice everywhere.

MORE: What Happens to Workers in Colombia Impacts Workers in the United States by By Jorge Parra, ASOTRECOL President


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