LAWG Blog - Latin America Working Group

Guerrero, Mexico: Human Rights Defenders Need Protection Now!

by Jenny Johnson on July 07, 2009

Deeply concerned after learning of an assassination attempt against human rights defenders in Guerrero, including Margarita Martín de las Nieves, the Latin America Working Group, Human Rights Watch, the Washington Office on Latin America and Due Process of Law Foundation issued a letter to Ambassador Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo, the Mexican Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, urging state and federal authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Margarita Martín de las Nieves and fully implement security measures necessary to make certain that human rights defenders in Guerrero can safely carry out their work without fear of reprisals. These protective measures include those agreed to by the Mexican government within the context of proceedings before the Inter-American system of human rights.

:2009, Blog Posts, Jennifer Johnson, Mexico

We Need Your Voice in the Mexico Debate

by Christa Schelter and Jenny Johnson on May 19, 2009

You and I know that military hardware isn't the solution to Mexico's challenges--and it sure isn't the way to acknowledge the United States' "shared responsibility" for spiraling drug violence. We need to act today.

:, 2009, Action Alerts, Jennifer Johnson, Mexico

Border Legislation Introduced by Rep. Grijalva - Call Your Rep and Tell Them to Co-Sponsor HR 2076

by Christa Schelter and Jenny Johnson on April 27, 2009

Last week Representative Raul Grijalva (AZ-7) introduced HR 2076, The Border Security and Responsibility Act of 2009. The purpose of this bill is to restore the rule of law to the borderlands, protect communities, federal lands, and wildlife habitat from the destructive impacts of the border wall.

:, 2009, Action Alerts, Jennifer Johnson, Resources for Activists

President Obama's Visit to Mexico: What the LAWG Hopes to See

by Jenny Johnson on April 14, 2009

In just two days, President Obama will embark on his first official trip to Latin America as he travels to Mexico following a string of visits from high-level U.S. officials in recent weeks. Comments made by visiting U.S. officials mark a shift in the U.S. stance towards Mexico’s challenges with drug cartels - a shift that indicates the Obama Administration’s willingness to recognize U.S. responsibility for spiraling violence in Mexico. This sentiment was clearly expressed by Secretary of State Clinton when she said, “Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade…Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the deaths of police officers, soldiers and civilians.”

:2009, Blog Posts, Jennifer Johnson

Join Faith and Community Leaders Across the Country in Calling for Immigration Reform Feb 13-22

by Jenny Johnson on February 13, 2009

In the coming week, over 100 prayer vigils will be taking place in towns across the country – all calling for the new Administration and members of Congress to show moral courage and leadership in enacting humane immigration reform.

:Blog Posts, Jennifer Johnson, Mexico, U.S.-Mexico Border