Globalization in Honduras: The Honduran Struggle Against Privatization, Environmental Destruction, and Human Rights Abuses in the Context of an Unjust Global Economic Order

This event is co-sponsored by Rights Action and the Resource Center for Nonviolence.

SANTA CRUZ, CA - Honduran community activist Gilberto Flores and Jenni Petullo of Rights Action will speak about the history and current political situation in Honduras on Tuesday, April 13 from 7-9 pm at the Resource Center for Nonviolence at 515 Broadway in Santa Cruz.

Privatization of public services, the building of mega-dams, deforestation, and harmful mining practices, as well as human rights abuses are among the challenges facing Honduran communities. Flores and Petullo will discuss how these problems fit within the context of corporate globalization, international financial institutions, and multilateral trade agreements.

There is a suggested donation of $5-15 to support the Honduran struggle. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

For more information, contact

Ingrid Bauer
ingrid (at) coincidence.net
831-818-3054

or
Sharon Delgado at the
Resource Center for Nonviolence
831-423-1626 ex.103

Corporate globalization and global justice are important issues for Santa Cruzians, many of whom have mobilized against the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) in the past year.

Santa Cruz also has a history of supporting community struggles in Latin American from Chiapas to Nicaragua. This event will provide an in-depth perspective on Honduras, and will present ways North Americans can support struggles for global justice.

Gilberto Flores is a community activist from the municipality of Gualaco in Olancho, Honduras. He is a member of the Environmentalist Movement of Olancho (MAO), which fights against deforestation, repression and impunity, and of the regional Pastoral Social of the Catholic Church, which has been involved with on-going struggles against poverty and in favor of community controlled development. Gilberto is also a member of CEPAVEG, a community-based organization in Gualaco and La Venta, which was created to oppose the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Babilonia River in the region. As a result of his outspoken activism, Gilberto, along with many others, has been harassed and intimidated by local authorities and other individuals suspected to be linked to the logging industry. Gilberto's name was circulated on a `death list` which included an activist assassinated in 2001.

Jenni Petullo is an anti-corporate globalization activist and popular educator living in Arcata, CA. She recently returned from a 6-month trip to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua where she researched and documented the affects of neoliberal policies in collaboration with Rights Action.