How You Can Help the Salvadoran Activists

Atlanta, GA, June 2007. US Social Forum. ©2007 Skip Schiel

Sample Script for El Salvador Desk at the US State Department

You can use the following "script" to talk to Mr. Cornforth. If at any point you get cut off, be sure to ask the final question -- "will you call the ambassador and assure that he calls for the terrorism charges be dropped?"

• I'm calling because I am very concerned about the July 2 arrests of the people protesting water privatization in Suchitoto, El Salvador.

   

• The Salvadoran police violently captured community leaders - shooting rubber bullets and tear gas at close range - and local community members and is now charging them with terrorism.

   

• The Salvadoran government's disproportionate reaction raises serious concerns about human rights and the freedom of organization and expression.

   

• The US government has publicly supported the Salvadoran government, including supporting the passage of the anti-terrorism law last September.

   

• It is extremely important that the U.S. stand up for human rights everywhere and not let protest be criminalized in the name of a so-called fight against terrorism.

   

• Will you call Ambassador Glazer and tell him to call for the terrorism charges to be dropped?