SUPPORT PROTESTERS OF WATER PRIVATIZATION

The government of El Salvador brutally attacked a peaceful protest against water privatization and charged 13 persons with acts of terrorism. They face 60 years imprisonment under the ”Special Law Against Acts of Terrorism,” which is modeled after the US Patriot Act.

Following international appeals for the Suchitoto 13, including appeals from dozens of US Congresspersons, the government of El Salvador continued steps to criminalize political expression, including making disorderly conduct a felony punishable by 8 years imprisonment. The government of El Salvador is threatened by campaigns against the privatization of water, health care and mines.

People around the world are concerned about the state of repression in El Salvador and the implications it has for peaceful efforts to stop the corporate control of basic human necessities, especially access to a clean and affordable water supply.

For more information: http://www.crispaz.org/news/list/2007/0709.htm and http://www.wnpj.org/node/8572

ACTIONS

Write the US Ambassador to El Salvador, the President of El Salvador and your Congressperson. Below you will find their email addresses and sample letters which you may simply paste into your email to them. If you are able to add or subtract a line or two, you will greatly amplify the impact of the multiple messages they are likely to receive.

1. US AMBASSADOR TO EL SALVADOR
GlazerCL@state.gov phone

Dear Ambassador Glazer,

I am concerned that the Salvadoran government plans to try members of the Association for the Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES) as terrorists for participating in a demonstration against water privatization. And I am upset that U.S. taxpayers are subsidizing the Salvadoran government's campaign against civil liberties in that country with $461 million under the Millenium Challenge Account.

Please use every possible means to ensure that the government of El Salvador ....

1. Immediately drop all charges against the Suchitoto 13, close the case against them and initiate an investigation into the violent conduct of the police on July 2^nd.
2. Introduce legislation to repeal decree #108, the “Special Law Against Acts of Terrorism and the laws passed in August 2007 that increase jail time against those convicted of “public disorder.”
3. Cease using our taxpayer dollars (via the Millennium Challenge Account) to support civil liberties abuses, particularly laws used to criminalize legitimate political expression..

I am contacting my Congressperson with these same concerns.

Sincerely,

2. GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR
Pres. Saca's e-mail (English is fine): fmelgar@presidencia.gob.sv
Send a cc to ambassador Leon Rodriquez as well: correo@elsalvador.org

Dear President Saca,

I am upset that your government continues its plan to try 13 citizens, including leaders of CRIPDES, as Terrorists. I am also upset that your government has now made disturbing the peace a felony punishable by long prison terms. I do not think that U.S. taxpayer dollars should support El Salvador's efforts to make legitimate political expression a crime. I urge you to ...

1. Immediately drop all charges against the Suchitoto 13, close the case against them and initiate an investigation into the violent conduct of the police on July 2^nd.
2. Introduce legislation to repeal decree #108, the “Special Law Against Acts of Terrorism and the laws passed in August 2007 that increase jail time against those convicted of “public disorder.”
3. Cease using our taxpayer dollars (via the Millennium Challenge Account) to support civil liberties abuses, particularly laws used to criminalize legitimate political expression.

I am contacting my Congressperson and your ambassador in my country with these concerns, as well.

Sincerely,

cc: Hon. Rene Antonio León Rodríguez

3. YOUR CONGRESSPERSON
Find contact information at http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Dear Rep. ____________,

I am concerned that the Salvadoran Government plans to try members of the Association for the Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES) as terrorists for participating in a demonstration against water privatization. And I am upset that U.S. taxpayers are subsidizing a government campaign against civil liberties in that country.

I hope you will do everything you can to pressure that the Salvadoran government to ...

1. Immediately drop all charges against the Suchitoto 13, close the case against them and initiate an investigation into the violent conduct of the police on July 2^nd.
2. Introduce legislation to repeal decree #108, the “Special Law Against Acts of Terrorism and the laws passed in August 2007 that increase jail time against those convicted of “public disorder.”
3. Cease using our taxpayer dollars (via the Millennium Challenge Account) to support civil liberties abuses, particularly laws used to criminalize legitimate political expression.

Please also work with your Congressional colleagues to look into these matters further.

Sincerely,