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Hi,

I thought you might be interested in this important campaign to support indigenous rights. The Colombian military opened fire against indigenous groups who were claiming their land rights. All the groups wanted was a meeting with Presidente Uribe, but in his place he sent the army, police, helicopters and armed vehicles, opening fire with live ammunition.

The indigenous communities are the poorest part of Colombian society. They rarely have a chance to speak and are usually ignored by the Colombian government. If we act together we can show President Uribe that all of Latin America is standing by the indigenous people of Colombia. He won't be able to ignore or shut down our voices.

Click on the link below to send a message to President Uribe urging him to stop the violence and meet with the indigenous groups:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/derechos_indigenas_colombia/tf.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

See the full alert below and help us spread the word by forwarding it to your friends.

With hope and determination,

The Avaaz Team

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Over the last 10 days, indigenous people have gathered in the Cauca province in Colombia to demand their land rights and protest againts the killings of indigenous leaders. Instead of entering into dialogue, Colombia's President Uribe sent the army and police with helicopters and armed vehicles, who, according to protesters, opened fire with live ammunition.

The violent crackdown raised outrage among other indigenous communities and support is growing throughout the country. 200,000 indigenous people from 16 provinces in Colombia have already joined the peaceful movement. Tomorrow they will be marching to Cali to show the Colombian government that they will keep on until the issues are resolved. This massive uprising might generate an even stronger and more brutal military reaction. We can't let that happen, send a message to Colombian President Álvaro Uribe asking him to stop the military violence and to accept the invitation to meet with indigenous leaders. Uribe cares about his international reputation, by sending him thousands of messages, we will show him that we have our eyes on Colombia, send a message now:

www.avaaz.org/en/derechos_indigenas_colombia

The indigenous people of Colombia have every right to protest -- according to the National Colombian Indigenous Organization more than 1,253 indigenous people have been killed and 54,000 have been expelled from their ancestral land since Uribe took office. They have been promised ownership of their own land, but President Uribe has not kept his word. With the price of land rising due to profitability of palm plantations, it appears that Uribe is no longer willing to buy these lands for the indigenous communities.

The indigenous organizations are asking for a meeting with the President, where they can present demands for their land and other rights. He hasn't even signed the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which states that "Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned" and that "States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources". If we come together and flood President Uribe's inbox with messages, these indigenous groups may get a real chance to finally have their voices heard. Click below to send your message:

www.avaaz.org/en/derechos_indigenas_colombia

The indigenous people in Colombia, and everywhere, deserve respect and their legitimate right for land. For too long Latin American has been guided by the interest of the wealthy, the politicians and the landowners. It is time we stand up for the people, the culture, and the environment of Latin America.

With hope,

Ricken, Graziela, Paula, Pascal, Alice, Paul, Iain, and the whole Avaaz team.

http://colombiareports.com/colombian-news/news/1686-indigenous-clash-with-riot-police-in-cauca.html

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44307

http://www.survival-international.org/news/3825

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={55E17DAD-6989-49D6-9C18-1B3A644E1E70})&language=EN

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Uribe: Dialogue, not Violence!

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