Carolina Interfaith Taskforce  On Central America

Welcome to CITCA, Carolina Interfaith Taskforce for Central America, a faith-based movement dedicated to changing U.S. government policies that contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

We undertake advocacy campaigns, press work, skills training, workshops, conferences, film festivals and delegations to Central America and the Caribbean. We act according to the principles of non-violence.

CITCA is local to the Carolinas, and though much of our focus is on issues connecting the Southeast with Latin America, we also coordinate Witness for Peace and other national/international solidarity work here in the Southeast.

If you wish to donate to support CITCA's efforts, please send a check made out to CITCA: Mailing address
CITCA
1105 Sapling Place
Raleigh, NC 27615
If you wish to make a donation in honor or memory of someone special to you, please provide that information. Our printed newsletter offers even more information on CITCA events. If you would like to read a sample copy, email or send a request to the address above.

2008! A great year to work for peace and justice!

Updated 8/22/08

Urgent/ Highest Priority/Calls to Action

22 Aug 2008: I just signed an important Witness for Peace petition to Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain because the next President will have to tackle the immigration issue, and I want to ensure that our country takes a humane approach, recognizing the need to change unfair trade policies like NAFTA, which are driving immigration. Please join me so that together we can influence their positions at this dynamic time. You too can sign the petition. Thanks! Gail S Phares

2008 CITCA Retreat (PDF)

Join the February 2009 Witness for Peace Delegation to Oaxaca, Mexico

22 May 2008 We Won the Vote in Congress! The amendment to force the Pentagon to release information to SOA Watch was approved with a 220 to 189 vote! - On to the Senate! Thanks to your efforts and hard work in defense of human rights, the culture of secrecy and lack of accountability surrounding Defense Department policies suffered a severe blow today when the U.S. House of Representatives approved the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop (GA) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2009. The amendment forces the public release of names, rank, country of origin, courses and dates of attendance of WHINSEC's graduates and instructors to the public. For details click on the link below (May 21).

21 May 2008 Dear Friends, Today in the News and Observer page 3A at the bottom there is a small article and foto "McCain offers proposals for Latin America." This is a great hook for letters to the editor which give us a chance to say what we think a Policy Towards Latin America should look like. Please take a moment and respond today! send email to atorrey@newsobserver.com or to forum@newsobserver.com We can make a difference. We need a change in policy! Let me know if indeed you do write a letter to the editor. Thanks Gail Phares

9 May 2008/Updated 18 Aug 2008 Oppose Plan Merida: Military Aid to Mexico. You may read more details and talking points at the Witness for Peace website. See also War on Drugs: What Won't Work -- Again By Hal Brand, 8-18-08

21 May 2008: SOA/WHINSEC Vote in Congress, Contact your Representative TODAY!

9 Apr 08 It's CITCA's 25th Anniversary! Here are ways to take action now

13 Mar 08 Request by Latin American Working Group to contact representatives on immigration [PDF]

News, Letters, Reports

We Need to Change U.S. Policy Towards Latin America

24 July 2008 "Night of Terror" Raleigh News & Observer criticizing abuse of immigrants in Alamance County

24 July 2008 " A Moral Issue: Letter to the editor, Raleigh News & Observer, from Gail Phares criticizing anti-immigrant attitudes and actions

25 June 2008 Witness for Peace 25th Anniversary Delegation to Nicaragua June 12-20th, 2008: Report by Gail Phares

29 May 2008 It is time to change U.S. policy towards Latin America. Current policy based on free trade and unfettered capitalism has led to an increase in poverty, growing unemployment and massive migration north. We need a policy that supports governments that seek to provide education for all, health care and land reform and credit for small farmers.

The United States should be seen as a country that supports human rights and social justice. This has not been the case since the Good Neighbor Policy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940s and President Kennedy’s rhetoric around the Alliance for Progress in the l960s.

All through much of the 20th Century, the U.S. government moved to destroy democratically elected governments which sought to remedy injustice and inequality. In l954, the CIA orchestrated the overthrow of the Guatemalan government of President Arbenz that has led to a cycle of violence and poverty that continues to this day. President Salvador Allende was overthrown in l972 again with the help of the CIA. This led to the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Once again thousands of activists were murdered. In the l980’s the US supported contra forces carried out a terrorist war! against the democratically elected government in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is now the second poorest country in the hemisphere after Haiti.

Today, there are democratically elected progressive governments in Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Yet the one country that has received over $4 billion dollars in mostly military aid is Colombia. Colombia has the worst human rights record in all of Latin America. Paramilitary death squads closely tied to the Colombian Army and government kill labor leaders, human rights and church workers with almost complete impunity. What kind of message does this support send to the people of Latin America?

It is time for a change in policy. Why not make the United States government be the country seen in support of human rights and social justice? Why not provide economic support and encouragement to governments in Latin America that use their nation’s resources for education, health care and food for their people? Why not provide economic support to governments the develop programs to decrease poverty and inequality? Currently the US State Dept labels countries that dare to use their nation’s resources for education, health care and food for their people as “radical populism.” This is dead wrong. It is time for a change. It is long past time to take a new look at Latin America. We need to turn US policy around.

Gail S Phares
Carolina Interfaith Task Force on Central America
MA in Latin American Studies from The American University 40 Years experience in Latin America.

Trade and Immigration Issues

4 May 2008 Read Gail Phares's letter to the Raleigh News and Observer on US trade and immigration policies.

8/15/07 Read letters to the editor of the Raleigh News & Observer concerning free trade by two 2007 teen delegation members: Destructive trade deals by Ellen Biesack and Fair, not free, trade by Vera Cecelski Please send letters to your US Representatives urging a NO vote on the upcoming free trade agreements with Peru and Panama.

19 May 2007 What immigrant workers bring, letter to the N&O editor by Gail Phares

18 May 2007 Take Action for Trade Justice in June: Stop free trade in its tracks

Global Trade Watch: Bush Attempting to Seduce Democrats With Fake Trade 'Fixes': Take Action!

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Reports and Information on Past Events

Help build Bridges of Hope! Join the Historic 25th Anniversary Witness for Peace Delegation to Nicaragua, June 12-23, 2008 [PDF]

Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia, Apr. 27-28, 2008

16 Jan 2008: Close Guantanamo Prison Now!: A Message from Gail Phares

Feb. 2008 Delegation to Colombia [PDF]

Report on the Teen Delegation to Nicaragua, July 2007

8/27/2007 "End torture now," letter to the News and Observer by Gail Phares The letter begins "I am deeply alarmed at the U.S. government's use of torture in Iraq, in Guantanamo, Cuba and other CIA detention centers ('Interrogation methods barred,' Aug. 20, news story)."

8/2/07: Gail Phares discussed "US Foreign Policy in Venezuela and Colombia," at a Rice and Beans Dinner, Thursday Aug 9, 6:30pm at the Eno River UU Fellowship, 4907 Garrett Rd., Durham. Your $15 donation raises money to send delegates on the Oct 20-Nov 1 Witness for Peace delegation led by Gail to Venezuela and Colombia.

14 June 2007: Criminal Justice System – Women’s Court, speech delivered by Gail Phares, June 28, 2007, Atlanta GA PDF

Report on 2007 Pilgrimage PDF

5 Mar 2007: Read Gail Phares's letter to the News & Observer, opposing Plan Colombia 2, continued US military aid to Colombia

CITCA Phone (919) 856-9468	New Email as of August 2008 CITCA.WfPSE@Gmail.com
Most photos by Jerry Markatos	© 2004-05-06-07-08 CITCA All rights reserved.