CPTnet
8 May 2006

COLOMBIA: A Call to Prayer and Action for Peace

CPT Colombia invites you to participate in a campaign of Prayer and Action
for Colombia on the 21 and 22 of May. A number of organizations (including
CPT) and churches have come together to raise awareness about the civil war
in Colombia and the problems of U.S. and Canadian foreign policy towards
Colombia. The mission statement of this group, found at
www.peaceincolombia.org, states

"We come together to remember the victims of Colombia's brutal armed
conflict, and to rejoice with the peacemakers. We stand in solidarity and
join in prayer with the people of Colombia who creatively, courageously, and
sacrificially struggle for dignified life and justice in the midst of
impoverishment and enduring violence.

"We commit to working in our communities and with our elected officials to
change our government's policies, which contribute to the violence and
destruction our Colombian brothers and sisters describe as their daily
bread. We commit to supporting new policies that contribute to peace,
justice and sustainable development in the region."

On Sunday 21 May we ask churches or worship groups to pray and reflect on
the situation in Colombia. On Monday 22 May we ask people to take action
with a call or letter to members of congress, senate or parliament to
demand that U.S. and Canadian policy in Colombia reflect our values of
peace, justice and respect for human rights. Tell them that U.S. and
Canadian funds should help to alleviate poverty and the humanitarian crisis
in Colombia instead of supporting police and military institutions with a
history of human rights abuses.

Please see the above mentioned website for worship materials and action
ideas for U.S. and Canadian citizens. This Call is a great opportunity to
join with thousands of others to pray and boldly act for Justice and Peace
in Colombia. We will also be posting further suggestions as the dates
approach.