All are invited to hear Dr. Phil Gates tell about his experiences as an "accompanier" with the Presbyterian Church of Columbia (IPC).
The situation in Colombia is grim. The country has lived through forty years of war. Today there are "armed actors" everywhere one looks: guerilla forces, paramilitary troops, police and soldiers and a government committed to "controlling the violence" through overwhelming military response. According to the U.S. Dept. of State, serious violations of human rights are commonplace. The IPC has courageously spoken out against the violence that is endemic in Colombia today. For this stand its members have endured arbitrary arrest and death threats.
The Presbyterian Church of Columbia has asked PC(USA) to serve as international "accompaniers" providing a measure of safety — international eyes for their work.
As a direct result of his exposure to wide- spread human rights abuse in Columbia, Bill Gates felt called to join with 15 others to engage in an act of civil disobedience by trespassing onto the Ft. Benning, Columbus, GA military base November 2006. This was in protest of the existence of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Economic Security (WHINSEC), better known by its former name, The School of the Americas (SOA), where the military personnel of Central America are trained. The General Assembly of the PC(USA) has called for the closure of this school. We will have the opportunity to view the 20 minute film,"Prisoners of Conscience."
Mark your calendars! Sunday, May 4, 5:30 pm
"The accompanier program provides an umbrella of safety which extends far beyond the Presbyterian Church...It helps all of us who seek to improve the lives of the poor and oppressed."
What is an "Accompanier" Program? - Sunday, May 4
