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Faces
of the Fallen
Vigil
June 24, 2004
US Poor Make Plea to International Community for
Human Rights Observers during Republican National Convention
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Members of the Poor People’s
Economic Human Rights Campaign spoke outside of the United Nations
yesterday to highlight the needs the human rights community has
for international support and protection as the Republican National
Convention approaches. Outside international intervention is needed
to make visible the fact that human rights violations are happening
here in the United States.
This is the second
in a series of Vigils leading up to the "March For Our Lives"
on August 30th 2004.
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are determined to give names and faces to
the human beings who are suffering and dying in this war, and to document
and to show to the world the deadly human rights violations that are
occurring in the United States under the current administration. |
Please join
this effort by sending in your stories
and photos about the fight for basic human rights in this country.
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The first
speaker was Michelle Campbell who shared the stories of Leathian
Trivonovich, Sarah Messina, and John
and Barbara Stradler. All of whom are members of the Deaf and
Deafblind committee on Human Rights. |
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Next, our brothers and
sisters of ARISE in Springfield, Mass. shared about their fight
for housing and the tent
city that they have errected and are currently living in on
Bishop's Lawn.
Christina Densmore, also
of ARISE shared her story about her discovery of Bliss St. and the
fight for housing that we must all be a part of.
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The
Vigil continued as members of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights
Campaign shared more stories of fallen fighters.
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| Ethel
Long-Scott spoke on behalf of the Poor People's Economic Human
Rights Campaign about organizing in California for the March and the
fight for Just HealthCare in this country |
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Ron Cassanova, of the
NYC chapter of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
shared a spoken word piece
on why we should be marching.
Galen Tyler, Director
of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union then spoke about the need
for Human Rights Monitors.
We call on the international
media, human rights defenders and organizations, student organizations
and all people concerned about human rights to come to the U.S.
to be observers in our March for Our Lives, to see first-hand what
poverty in America looks like, and to prepare reports for your home
countries. Our lives and our children's futures are depending on
this.
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We then recited the Human
Rights Pledge, led by Shula Koenig of the People's Decade For Human
Rights:
We will accept nothing
less then human rights
We will know them and claim them
For all women, men youth and children
From those who speak human rights
But deny them to their own people.
And closed with a prayer
led by Leslie Wood from the School
of Theology
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Join us at the next Faces
of the Fallen Vigil on July 15
Faces
of the Fallen Vigils
Thursday, 4pm
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
46th Street and 1st Ave
New York City
July 15, August 19
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