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Circumstances of Victims

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Ambushed by gunmen on a highway in Ocotlán.
Threatened outside a mine site in San José del Golfo.
Shot dead by motorcycle gunmen while driving in Camotán.
Forced from their camp by mine trade unionists in La Sierrita.
Fired at while traveling to meet with fishermen of the Arauca River.
Thousands forcibly displaced by armed conflict in Cauca Department.
Arrested and held incommunicado on leaving his office at the University of Al Zaiem.
In serious but stable condition following a shooting after protesting the El Tambor mine.

Samples from letters
written to places
I’ve never been
in support of people
much like you and me
with hopes, tribulations
and kids with laughing faces;
perhaps with land.
Who for reasons various
are on the sharp edge
of the process
which provides us
with bright shirts, cheap coffee
and funny vignettes on my N+1g tab .
Occasionally my letters
are followed by good news,
or at least an acknowledgement.
The least I can do
but is it ever enough?


Written after 20+ years writing letters for Amnesty International's Urgent Action network

Ambushed by gunmen on a highway in Ocotlán. Threatened outside a mine site in San José del Golfo. Shot dead by motorcycle gunmen while driving in Camotán. Forced from their camp by mine trade unionists in La Sierrita. Fired at while traveling to meet with fishermen of the Arauca River. Thousands forcibly displaced by armed conflict in Cauca Department. Arrested and held incommunicado on leaving his office at the University of Al Zaiem. In serious but stable condition following a shooting after protesting the El Tambor mine. Samples from letters written to 'responsible authorities' in places I’ve never been in support of people much like you and me with hopes, tribulations and kids with laughing faces; perhaps with land. Who for reasons various are on the sharp edge of the process which provides us with bright shirts, cheap coffee and funny vignettes on my N+1g tab . Occasionally my letters are followed by good news, or at least an acknowledgement. The least I can do; it's never enough, yet I hope it keeps a candle burning. Written after 20+ years writing letters for Amnesty International's Urgent Action Network

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 3/31/2014 3:37:00 PM
heartfelt write - Congrats on your wins, too, my friend
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Rodgers Avatar
D.W. Rodgers
Date: 3/31/2014 10:02:00 PM
Thanks Jack
Date: 3/30/2014 11:05:00 AM
this is really sad to think of their lives not so carefree as ours can be. they must have such great worries. so much stress on them. what an awesome job you have to be helping such individuals.
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D.W. Rodgers
Date: 3/30/2014 3:13:00 PM
Thanks Andrea, AI is a great organization and they do have help.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things