Click here for the CSN Winter 2014 Newsletter
Newsletter Content:
- Local, Regional and National Agrarian Organizing in Cauca
- Solidarity Economy Towards a Dignified Life: Biofabrica Campesina of the Movimiento Campesino de Cajibia
- The Real Plans of the Santos Administration for Rural Colombia
- A Delegation of Activists to Cajibio
- The Meeting in Solidarity of the Cajibio and Central New York Communities
Newsletter Attachment: Letter from Sister Maureen McDonnel, O.P.
December 10, 2014
Having known Cecilia since our chance meeting in an Edgewood College parking lot in Madison, WI, about 25 years ago, I would like to take this opportunity to thank her and Jack and all who make up Colombia Support Network for their grit and unfailing work for justice in the face of daunting odds.
Over the years, I have been astounded by how CSN has studied the issues and situation on the ground in Colombia. And way beyond study, CSN has taken strong stances to oppose both the U.S. government’s support and active promotion of a corrupt government and the Colombian military and government’s turning a blind eye to the terrorism and injustice in their country, especially against those they consider “lesser” human beings. I don’t know how many delegations Cecilia and Jack have planned and led to Colombia, but I have a sense of what it takes to do this, and I am grateful that they have educated scores of U.S. citizens via these delegations.
Early in my years in Madison, I was invited to meet and help host courageous guests whom CSN brought to the U.S. to educate and inspire us by their words and their witness, often at great personal risk. I have remembered those people, notably Gloria Cuartas, and thanked God for them and prayed for them over the years. They have encouraged me as I strive to become a person of justice and peacemaking. Attending the School of the Americas Vigil over the years has increased my understanding of what the resistance in Colombia is up against and how much these strong people need our support.
I have worked over 30 years with college-age students, so I was delighted to hear that CSN was forming a student organization at UW-Madison to engage these young adults. Such an organization is hard to keep vital from year to year because of the turnover in student leadership, but my hope is that the CSN-UW Badgers will continue to carry on the important work begun a few years ago.
My appreciation for Colombia Support Network is deep and lasting. I pray for many blessings upon this important work and all the people involved in it.
Gratefully … Maureen McDonnell, O.P.