Our next event is coming up quickly on Friday, November 6 at 7pm in Fellowship Hall. We will be hosting guest speaker Martha Lucia Giraldo Villano from Columbia, sponsored by Witness for Peace (WFP). WFP is a politically independent, nationwide grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. WFP’s mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to sending delegations to observe first hand the consequences of U.S. foreign policy decisions, WFP also sponsors people from Latin America on speaking tours in the U.S. to inform citizens of ongoing projects and struggles.
Nick Schmader has taken the lead on this event, and Westminster’s Social Responsibility Committee is proud to be hosting a WFP speaker. Martha’s father, a small-scale farmer, was murdered by the Columbian military in an “extrajudicial” killing. She will speak to these state-sanctioned murders, the billions of dollars of military and police funding provided by the U.S., Plan Columbia, official impunity, the importance of memory, and the National Movement of Victims. There will also be ample time for Q&A. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Columbia and the work of Witness For Peace. Naturally, expenses are incurred on a speaking tour so donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted. To learn more about this courageous woman and WFP check out witnessforpeace.org and go to the NE region page.
Westminster Unitarian Church is located at 119 Kenyon Ave., East Greenwich, RI. Directions at westminsteruu.org.
Westminster Unitarian Church is located at 119 Kenyon Ave., East Greenwich, RI. Directions at westminsteruu.org.
