Spanish for Activists Camp a Success!

This year’s Spanish for Activists Camp took place at the Foundation of Light in
Ithaca, NY from July 16-18. The attendees of the camp were from all
backgrounds, scattered all throughout New York or New Jersey, of all ages,
involved in all different types of activism. Our workshops ranged from
discussions of the SOA Encuentro in Venezuela, to discussions about
immigration reform and exploitative resource extraction. There were panels
about Haiti and farmworkers, and grassroots activism in Colombia. The
workshops ended with a panel discussion on Venezuelan politics with Consulate
General of Venezuela Carol Delgado, her spouse Greg Wilpert, (writer for the
blog http://venezuelanalysis.com/), and Howard Botwinick, Professor of
Economics at SUNY Cortland. Our Spanish and ESL classes helped people brush
up on their multi-lingual skills, or get the basics of beginning a new language.
When campers needed a break from academia, there was a hiking and
swimming trip, salsa lessons and a dance party hosted by the Ithaca group
Palante! and a campfire with folk music performed by activist and musician
Colleeen Kattau.

Pics are up here! http://picasaweb.google.com/101552741015410365723/CUSLARS4ACamp2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCLaLuK3xmIHvzQE&feat=directlink

CUSLAR Fall Language Class Registration NOW open!

CUSLAR Presents…Fall Semester
SPANISH &PORTUGUESE CLASSES

Want to Learn SPANISH or PORTUGUESE? For work, research, travel, activism, or fun?

CUSLAR (The Committee on US/Latin American Relations) offers Spanish and Portuguese classes year-round as part of our cultural and political educational programming. Our language courses, taught by native speakers, provide you the opportunity to learn a language in a small group setting with a curriculum tailored to fit your learning needs and goals.
CUSLAR is offering Spanish (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and Portuguese Language & Culture for the Fall 2010 semester.

Classes:
- Are taught by dynamic native speakers
- Begin September 13 and end December 10
- Are held on the Cornell Campus Monday and Wednesday nights – (4:20-5:20 intermediate/5:30-6:30 beginner/6:40-7:40 advanced)
- $375 per class early registration fee; $395 per class normal registration fee
- Early Registration Deadline: September 7, 2010

**NEW! Easy on-line registration and payment! Just visit http://www.cuslar.org/languageclasses.php**

What former students have to say about CUSLAR’s classes:

“Daniel is an excellent teacher and the small class size allows a great learning environment for asking questions and discussion. It was a very fun and engaging class” -Spanish Student, Summer 2010

“Excellent introduction to the Portuguese language and culture with Marilene, a knowledgeable, fun instructor.” –Portuguese Student, Spring 2010

CUSLAR’s Instructors:

Spanish: Daniel Duque is from Montevideo, Uruguay. He is doing his PHD in Golden Age Spanish Literature and Latin American Colonial Literature. He’s been teaching Spanish literature and Spanish language at Cornell for the last six years and Spanish Language at CUSLAR for the last three years.

Portuguese: Marilene Barros is from Brazil, and is a Brazilian and European Historian. She taught Spanish for the Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese at UCSB for three years. She has a Master’s in Political Science and is finishing her PhD in History from UCSB, with an emphasis in Applied Linguistics.

For more information contact CUSLAR at: cuslarlanguages@gmail.com or call 607-255-7293
**NEW! Easy on-line registration and payment! Just visit http://www.cuslar.org/languageclasses.php**

CUSLAR is a non-profit organization whose mission is to work for peace, justice and greater mutual understanding in US/Latin American relations through education, solidarity and support of human rights.

–
Claire Stoscheck
CUSLAR Coordinator
cuslarspanishcamp@gmail.com
www.cuslar.org

More on the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil

Stop the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil

Despite massive international and national protest, The Brazilian government is moving ahead with its plans to build the third-largest dam in the world and one of the Amazon’s most controversial development projects – the Belo Monte dam on the Xingu River in the state of Pará. According to Amazon Watch, the Belo Monte dam complex dates back to Brazil’s military dictatorship and the government has attempted to build it through various series of national investment programs.

What will the effects of the dam be?

The dam will cause massive flooding on prime agricultural land and forest. It will also cause a permanent drought on the Xingu River, which will affect the Paquiçamba territory of the Juruna indigenous people. Amazon Watch estimates that over 20, 000 people will be relocated from surrounding municipalities. Furthermore, they estimate that two channels 500 m by 75 km wide will have to be dug to divert water to the power plant – more earth than was removed to build the Panama Canal.

What are some future problems?

The dam will likely cause further destruction of the Amazon, because it will be highly energy inefficient. Amazon Watch states that, “it will produce only 10% of its 11,233 MW installed capacity during the 3-5 month-long dry season, an average of only 4,462 MW throughout the year, or 39% of its nominal capacity. To guarantee a year-round flow of water, the government would need to construct another series of large dams on the Xingu and tributaries that will impact forests and forest peoples.”

What can you do?

Take action by calling the Brazilian Embassy: http://amazonwatch.org/brazil-action-alert.php

Learn more: http://www.internationalrivers.org/node/5302 or http://www.amazonwatch.org/amazon/BR/bmd/

Haiti Teach-In!

On April 27, CUSLAR hosted a teach-in called “Continuing Solidarity with Haiti.”
The event was co-sponsored by Palante and the Haitian Students Association. We were lucky to have three wonderful speakers: Laurie Konwinski and Todd Saddler, former co-directors of Beyond Borders (www.beyondborders.net), and Don Leonard, a graduate student in Cornell’s Government department. We had a great turn out from Cornell and the Ithaca community.

Don started off the night by giving a historical overview of Haiti, highlighting key reasons that Haiti was so badly devastated by the earthquake. Next, Todd gave us a more ‘on-the-ground’ perspective. He had recently returned from Haiti and was able to show us some amazing pictures as well as recount his experience. Laurie’s presentation offered us ways to stay in touch with Haiti and how to channel our solidarity efforts. One tangible piece of advice she gave was to look for organizations that are focused on job creation and employing Haitians in relief work. Not only will this kind of work help rebuild after the earthquake, but it will also contribute to a more sustainable Haiti in the future.

The teach-in helped remind us that even when the fundraisers die down, Haiti will continue to be a place of struggle. By thinking consciously about what kind of solidarity work we do, we can help Haitians rebuild a better and stronger country than before.

Stop Belo Monte Dam!

VIA International Rivers

Contact the Brazilian Embassy to Stop Belo Monte Dam!

“The Brazilian government is pushing through plans to build the massive Belo Monte Dam in the Amazon. The dam would devastate an extensive area of the Amazon rainforest and threaten the survival of thousands of indigenous and traditional peoples who depend on the Xingu River for their livelihoods. Construction could begin this year.

The project has met with massive opposition both domestically and internationally. Indigenous people have not been adequately consulted about the project and are concerned that their rights will be violated if the project goes forward as planned. The project will directly affect two indigenous reserves along the Big Bend of the Xingu, and will indirectly affect indigenous reserves throughout the Xingu Basin.

Please contact the Brazilian Embassy today and express your concern about the government’s support for the Belo Monte Dam and its impact on indigenous people.

First, please call the Embassy, then fill out the form below to send an email to the US Embassy.

If you are in the US, please call (202) 238-2805 and/or (202) 238-2712.

If you are outside the US, please use this website to find your nearest embassy.

When you call, please tell them:

1. That you are concerned about blatant violations of indigenous peoples’ rights that would occur if Belo Monte Dam was built;

2. That you are concerned about the project’s impacts on the Xingu River and the life it supports; and

3. That you would like President Lula to cancel Belo Monte Dam and seek better alternatives for meeting Brazil’s energy needs.

Find more background information about Belo Monte Dam on our website.

Call Senator Schumer!

Please call Senator Schumer to remind him he promised to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill. We want him to do it by May 1st. Please follow the instructions below.

Senator Schumer
10-Day Countdown

Introduce a just and humane immigration reform bill by May 1st!

Call Senator Schumer at 607-772-6792 and tell him:

My name is _____ and I’m calling from __[city/town]_, NY. Senator Schumer promised us a comprehensive immigration reform bill. He needs to introduce strong legislation by May 1! Our communities are being terrorized and our families are being torn apart. We need comprehensive immigration reform NOW!

For more info about the Senator Schumer 10-Day Countdown,
go to www.thenyic.org

Senador Schumer,
faltan 10 días!

Introduzca una reform migratoria justa para el primero de Mayo!

Llame el Senador Schumer al 607-772-6792 y diga en ingles “Immigration Reform Bill Now”, su nombre y su ciudad.

Si hablan español: Mi nombre es _____ y estoy llamando de __[ciudad]_, NY.  El Senador Schumer nos prometio una legislacion para la reforma migratoria. El necesita presentar una legislacion fuerte el primero de Mayo. Nuestras comunidades viven aterrorizadas y nuestras familias estan siendo separadas. Necesitamos una reforma migratoria AHORA!

Para mas informacion, visite www.thenyic.org

We Are All Arizona/Todas y Todos Somos Arizona

Stop the Criminalization of Immigrants, End Racial Profiling!

Demand that Governor Brewer Veto SB 1070

This week, Arizona could make history and protect human rights by VETOING one of the worst anti-immigrant and racially targeted laws our nation has seen in decades.

SB 1070 was passed by the Arizona state legislature and awaits the signature of Governor Jan Brewer.
Raise your voice now for justice & equality: We are all Arizona
Click here to read and sign the petition to tell Governor Brewer to VETO SB 1070

In no small coincidence, on Thursday, April 15,the Department of Homeland Security carried out multiple massive raids in Arizona, terrorizing hundreds of workers, families, and children. Over 800 ICE agents were joined by U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement, causing fear and panic across several Arizona communities while the state legislature passed SB 1070, which permanently criminalizes the immigrant community.

With one click, help our sister communities in Arizona to stop DHS attacks on our rights and the new Arizona law. Click here to tell Gov. Brewer to veto SB 1070, the anti-immigrant racial profiling law.
If signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer, SB 1070 would:

• Criminalize all undocumented immigrants as “trespassers” in the state of Arizona. SB 1070 would subject all undocumented workers and their families to arrest and conviction for misdemeanors, and in some cases felony charges for the new crime of “trespass” (reminiscent of HR 4437, the 2005 ‘Sensenbrenner bill’).
• Legalize unchecked racial profiling by police of anyone they “suspect” is undocumented.
• Give police the authority to enforce federal immigration law and arrest people who cannot produce identification proving their legal residency in the U.S.
• Give police the power to investigate and entrap employers for hiring undocumented workers.
• Make seeking work illegal for day laborers and force all individuals, regardless of immigration status or citizenship, to carry identification papers or be subjected to detention and even deportation. Public agencies and service providers would have authority to demand identification documents from any person

We are ALL Arizona
The repercussions of such a law will be devastating for immigrants and all communities of color in Arizona.  Moreover, SB 1070 will have dangerous consequences, setting a national precedent for states and federal law, permanently criminalizing immigrants.

The DHS raid and SB 1070 law in Arizona are a turning point in our fight for socially just immigration reforms. The “immigration blueprint” announced by Senators Schumer and Graham last month is a proposal that allows such criminalization of immigrants. It promises to “fill gaps in apprehension capabilities” that will likely lead to the use of local police nationally to terrorize immigrant communities.

The VETO of SB 1070 will send a historic signal to Congress, the Obama Administration and the country that the further criminalization of immigrant workers, families and communities will not solve the problem.

Tell Gov. Brewer to VETO SB 1070 and raise your voice for socially just immigration reforms that uplift human rights and dignity.

Thanks to folks at presente.org for their support of the petition process.

---

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

310 8th St. Ste. 303 | Oakland, CA 94607 l tel: 510.465.1984 | fax: 510.465.1885
http://www.nnirr.org

CUSLAR Brunch Huge Success!

Sunday, March 14, 2010
Moosewood Restaurant
This March, CUSLAR held a benefit brunch at Moosewood, featuring great vegetarian cuisine and a live music performance by Doug and Sally. The Ithaca community came out to show their support and we even sold out the event! CUSLAR would like to thank everyone who joined us and Moosewood for volunteering their space and staff.

Haiti Solidarity Campaign

CUSLAR is currently working with the Palante on their Haiti Solidarity Campaign.

The campaign focuses on donating medical supplies, canned goods, and other necessary products to a group of Cuban medical doctors. These doctors have had a sustained presence in Haiti before the earthquake and continue to offer their medical assistance.

CUSLAR has set up a box in the entrance to Anabel Taylor Hall in Cornell where you can drop off your supplies. We have already filled up the box once and sent everything from medical supplies to shampoo to baby food off to Haiti!

If you are interested in setting up your own donation box, you can submit a volunteer form to Palante

ChevronToxico Campaign

CUSLAR supports the ChevronToxico campaign and encourages all interested individuals and groups to do the same!

From the campaign’s website: “While drilling in the Ecuadorian Amazon from 1964 to 1990, Texaco – which merged with Chevron in 2001 – deliberately dumped more than 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater, spilled roughly 17 million gallons of crude oil, and left hazardous waste in hundreds of open pits dug out of the forest floorContamination of soil, groundwater, and surface streams has caused local indigenous and campesino people to suffer a wave of mouth, stomach and uterine cancer, birth defects, and spontaneous miscarriages. Chevron has never cleaned up the mess it inherited, and its oil wastes continue to poison the rainforest ecosystem. Today, 30,000 Ecuadorians are demanding justice in a landmark class action lawsuit. Despite Chevron’s repeated efforts to sabotage the trial, an independent court-appointed expert recently deemed Chevron responsible for up to $27 billion in damage.”

How to help:
1. Sign up to host a CRUDE Screening Party or find one to attend near you.
2. Sign the petition to Chevron’s new CEO John Watson
3. Donate to the Clean Up Ecuador Campaign
4. Join the CUSLAR supports ChevronToxico Facebook group page.