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Issue 3, Volume 1, December 2000
Message from the Director | Program News | Program Updates | Case Updates | Hot Spots | FAQs | Action Updates
Seattle takes part in the Nationwide Day of Action for Mexican Environmentalists
By Kelly Campbell
Group 4 (Seattle) Coordinator
On behalf of Rodolfo Montiel andTeodoro Cabrera, a dozen activists gathered at noon on Thursday, October 12th, in front of the Mexican Consulate in downtown Seattle. Forming a small circle, members of the Seattle and Bremerton AI groups began marching and chanting: "Defending the earth is not a crime!" and "Free Montiel and Cabrera now!" We were also joined by members of the Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES).
Though it was hard to keep our candles lit on that brisk and windy day, our spirits were high. People coming in and out of the consulate were curious as to why we were demonstrating. We gave them copies of our press release. We also talked to several people passing by on their lunch hour. A member of the Independent Media Center interviewed me, and I also spoke to a college student writing a report on human rights.
At one o'clock, three of us asked if we could present the Consulate with a letter to President-Elect Fox. We were invited into the Consulate and met with the head of the Consulate, Mariano Lemus Gas. He gave us the Mexican government's position that perhaps the military acted a bit too severely with the two men, but Montiel and Cabrera were armed and dangerous. We listened, and then presented our position. We had a thoughtful and amicable discussion and finally gave Mr. Lemus the letter addressed to President-Elect Fox.
The experience was a great one for us. We took an issue to the streets of our city and raised awareness about this particular case and the link between human rights and the environment. It was also great to work with another activist group, CISPES. In addition, to sit down and have a meeting with the head of the Consulate was an unexpected but positive outcome.
The vigil toolkit prepared by the Human Rights and Environment team really helped us pull this off. Locally, special thanks go to Martha Baskin and Mandy Redd who produced an excellent press release, contacted the media, and lead us in the vigil circle, and a big thanks to Martha Sidlo who acted as our translator.
