This just in, from supporters of the MST in Brazil, following up on the news that Syngenta had hired men to kill the poor.

Dear friends,

We are writing to you with an urgent request to support the Landless Worker’s Movement (MST in Portuguese), Via Campesina and Terra de Direitos in Brazil.

As reported by Terra de Direitos, MST and Via Campesina on October 21, 2007 Mr. Mota de Oliveira of the MST was shot dead at point-blank range two times in the chest by armed men while joining a protest against the operations of Syngenta Seeds, subsidiary of the Swiss biotech firm Syngenta AG and their illegal experimentation with generically-modified organisms (GMOs). According to reports, several other protesters were severely injured. The attack reportedly occurred during lunch hour, under strong rain, which made it completely impossible for the workers to defend themselves. We also understand that the situation at the site remains extremely tense. The landless workers camped in the region­especially some MST leaders who were chased by the gunmen during the attack­remain in danger and are in need of immediate protection. ... read more »

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Posted on 8 November, 2007 - 06:36

I've been very distressed to hear about how the war on terror has been extended to cover pretty much any dissent at all. The latest instance is in Aotearoa/New Zealand. You can find out the latest by visiting Indymedia Aotearoa. Below is an urgent appeal for support.

Maori plea for support

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Family,
It is in great distress that I am urged to write this appeal and to inform our international community of the recent events that are happening within Aotearoa (New Zealand) social justice, environmental justice and indigenous movements. ... read more »

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Posted on 18 October, 2007 - 04:15

In case you hadn't heard (and I just found out), it's Debt Week from October 14-21. The call to action, posted below, is available in altogether more pleasing PDF format here. ... read more »

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Posted on 16 October, 2007 - 18:09

This notice just came my way, and I thought I'd share. If you're in Washington DC next week, do consider dropping in... ... read more »

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Posted on 11 October, 2007 - 16:48

Syngenta Threatens to Violently Expel the Family Farmers of the Via Campesina from the Free Land encampment: Act Now!

The multinational Syngenta Seeds is pressuring the Governor of the State of Paraná to expel the family farmers of the Via Campesina currently residing on the Free Land encampment with police force.

The 120 families occupied the area more than a year ago, in protest to the environmental crime committed by Syngenta. The multinational illegally cultivated genetically-modified soy and corn at the site, within the protective zoner of the Iguaçu National Park. The family farmers demanded that Syngenta pay the fine of US$ 465,000, imposed on the corporation by the IBAMA, the federal environmental agency. In November of 2006, the Governor of Paraná expropriated Syngenta´s site, and planned to turn the area into an agroecological research center. ... read more »

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Posted on 31 May, 2007 - 16:51

From Food First comes an urgent action in defence of farmer leaders in Chihuahua. Send it to the Mexican embassy in the US, UK , Canada, or your own home country today.

Update
Here's an Update from Food First:

Chihuahua, Mexico-- Jesús Emiliano García, a Director of the Frente Democrático Campesino de Chihuahua (Peasants Democratic Front of Chihuahua--FDC), was released from prison Thursday morning after being held for six days on charges of “sabotage.” The arrest, which came after Jesús Emiliano helped organize protests over tortilla price increases, drew large crowds of protesters demanding his release. On the night of March 14th a judge dropped all charges on Jesús Emiliano and he was free to leave the following morning. He went directly to the Secretary of Agriculture office in Chihuahua, which has been occupied by more than 800 campesinos since Monday, where he was received with cheers and celebration. ... read more »

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Posted on 14 March, 2007 - 09:46

This just in from Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy.

PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE'S AND BOTH SENATORS’ OFFICES IMMEDIATELY!!

On February 14, the Senate passed the "Continuing Resolution," which makes permanent funding decisions for the fiscal year already underway (Fiscal Year 2007), which wasn’t completed before the last Congress ended. Distressingly, this resolution would IMMEDIATELY eliminate funding for a program crucial to sustainable agriculture! The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) program is a highly rated national information service that answers practical questions from farmers and others across the US who call its 1-800 telephone number, print publications from its website, or attend its workshops. ... read more »

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Posted on 23 February, 2007 - 00:55

[ACT NOW] Two MST Human Rights defenders detained since Feb. 1st **DRAFT LETTER INCLUDED**
MST Brazil - 15 February, 2007 - 15:13

Dear Friends of the MST,

We write to let you know that Almir Silva Xavier and Everaldo Miguel Oliveira, MST rural workers and human rights defenders, have been jailed in the town of Águas Belas, state of Pernambuco, since February the 1st.

Please join others in sending letters of support to the judge and prosecutor's office in question.

More here.

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Posted on 20 February, 2007 - 01:19

Jubilee USA Network * American Friends Service Committee * 50 Years is Enough Network * TransAfrica Forum

Action Alert - Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Call-In Today: Stop the Debt Vultures!

Call on Donegal International to Stop Taking Millions from Zambia’s Debt Relief

See www.jubileeusa.org

The vultures are circling! Right now, a private company is trying to scavenge a huge profit from Zambia, one of the world's poorest countries which has just benefited from debt relief. Please take action to prevent this.

** On Tuesday, February 20, call Debt Advisory International (DAI)’s Washington, DC office at 202-463-2188 and tell Michael Sheehan, the owner of DAI and Donegal International, not to take up to $20 million from Zambia! ** ... read more »

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Posted on 20 February, 2007 - 00:26

The Global Campaign for Agrarian Reform and Via Campesina sent out this alert today:

32 members of the “Vallecito Peasant Movement”, situated in Sinaloa, Tocoa municipality, Department of Colón, Honduras, became victims of severe violence on October 6, 2006. Two peasants were wounded by bullets, and the others were beaten up by police agents. The victims belong to 88 peasant families of the Movement who were settled by INA (the National Agrarian Institute) on land in this region. At this moment the peasant families live in precarious conditions in a refugee camp of INA without adequate food or housing. ... read more »

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Posted on 21 December, 2006 - 16:43