PAN Y PAZ --over all Colombia

by Janna Bowman

Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Bread and Peace are possible reads the catch-line on page one of Sunday`s edition of El Tiempo, Colombia`s national daily newspaper.

Amidst news

of decrees tightly restricting activities of expatriates and travel of everyone,
"temporary" prohibition of public marches and public demonstrations,
debate about a network of armed government informants and
reports on increased violence,

a voice cries out for Christian faithfulness: obedience to Jesus Christ and active non-violence.

Thanks to a quick response and financial support from the Northern faith community, the PAN Y PAZ declaration was published on Sunday, September 15th in the four major daily papers around the country. We plan to place several more reminders during the week of Saturday`s event to break the day´s fast.

If you have not already, we encourage you to send a letter to your Congress people explaining why you

1) SUPPORT the declaration, public vigil and the peace church in Colombia and

2) OPPOSE current U.S. foreign policy in Colombia. (See sample letter in PAN Y PAZ materials packet and the Justapaz/MCC Arauca report.)

If you wish, send your greetings and letters of support for Saturday, September 21st`s, public vigil and breaking of bread to Justapaz at or by Thursday (9/19/2002) mid-day.

For peace,

Janna

-for Justapaz, the Mennonite Church and others who signed the declaration