To the Editor:
“‘Either They Kill Us or We Kill Them’” (front page, May 5) tells the micro story of gangs and violence in a Honduran neighborhood.
I just returned from Honduras with 75 religious leaders, looking at the systemic economic and state violence that enables the gangs to thrive. The corruption and collusion between state actors and organized crime are stunning.
Tony Hernandez, a former Honduran congressman and brother of the president of Honduras, stands trial for large-scale drug trafficking and weapons charges in New York after being arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The latest report from the High Commissioner for Human Rights says organized crime has infiltrated Honduran government agencies and the broader political arena. This is why 53 members of the United States Congress are co-sponsors of H.R. 1945, the Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act.
It would suspend United States security assistance to Honduras until human rights violations by Honduran security forces cease and their perpetrators are brought to justice.
(Rev.) Deborah Lee
Oakland, Calif.
The writer is executive director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.
Category: Media
TV coverage: see KGO clip
When: Thu, April 18, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Where: 333 Bush Street, 333 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA (map)
Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/604585753353970/
During Holy Week and Passover, join us for a spiritual pilgrimage through the “Stations of the Crisis” faced by our migrant communities! We will hear a reflection about the humanitarian crises, participate in a ceremonial foot/hand washing, and deliver letters to Senator Harris’ and Senator Feinstein’s offices. Join us to request our Senators, as civil servants, to serve immigrant communities, provide oversight and accountability on the actions of the federal government, and provide vocal leadership:
** End U.S. arms sales and military assistance to Honduras!
** End barriers to asylum seekers at the border!
** End detention of immigrants, families, and children!
** End ICE’s contracts with private prisons!
** End deportations and family separation!
If you are interested in volunteering or participating in the foot washing ceremony, please contact: gking@im4humanintegrity.org.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — More than 50 people rallied outside the United States Appraisers building Friday – the Northern California headquarters for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The group, organized by the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, is calling for the release of 28-year-old mother Aida Andrade Amaya.
“Aida is being deprived from her motherhood as her children are in their prime years,” said Edwin Carmona-Cruz, who’s part of the mother’s legal team.
Amaya’s team of attorney’s from Pangea Legal Services say she is an immigrant from El Salvador who fled her home country.
They claim she’s a survivor of domestic violence who defected out of fear for her life.
“If anything, she’s a victim of the system that believe, that does not believe her, and her statements,” Carmona-Cruz said.
Amaya’s legal team says she was detained by ICE outside her home a week before last Thanksgiving, based on a “red notice” issued by the international criminal police organization — or, interpol — alleging she had committed a theft in El Salvador.
Though, her supporters say she hasn’t been there in six years.
“She’s not a threat to society, nor is she a flight risk, all she wants is to be home, and with her children, and with her husband and with her family,” said Reverend Deborah Lee.
Her family includes a 4-year-old child and six-month old baby born prematurely.
The Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity rallies for detained immigrants every month outside ICE headquarters in San Francisco.
The organization says it’ll be back May 7 — for Amaya’s next hearing.