10/04/02: Post by Bob
Posted by: BLOWBACK
The Columbia 3 need your help.... Fundraiser at Arise! Bookstore *Sunday, October 6* 7-9 pm *2441 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis Irish Music, Dance, and Speakers Irishmen Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley, and Jim Monaghan were arrested on August 11, 2001 atthe Bogota airport after returning from a visit to an area in Columbia under control of FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia). The men had travelled there to study and assist in the peace process. They were held without charge by the Columbian government for six months. Then in January 2002 they were charged with travelling under falseidentication documents, and training members of the FARC. They are currently being held in a Bogota prison. The Columbian gov't is one of the most brutal and repressive in the world. The country is in the throes of a bloody civil war. Right- wing paramilitary death squads aligned with the government threaten, torture and murder human rights workers, lawyers, journalists, union leaders and woman activists. Negotiations aimed at bringing about a peaceful settlement to this conflict have broken down. *These men cannot get a fair trial given the political and military interests involved. Prejudicial media coverage has violated their right to a fair trial. *Their lives are in constant danger. The men have had repeated threats made against their lives.Attempts have been made to poison them in jail. A gun was found in a nearby cell. *Their Human Rights Have Been Violated. The men have been held in unconstitutional detention. Their access to lawyers has been serverly resticted. Their lawyers have been threatened. http://www.bringthemhome.ie/ Your Contribution is Appreciated! Sponsored by Minnesotans for a United Ireland FFI or to make a Contribution, Please contact Arise! Bookstore tel. (612) 871-7110