Honduras resists and US activists stand in solidarity

The Honduras Resistance Front is a popular, creative, resilient resistance that is constantly growing in strength and with international solidarity. On June 28, 2009, President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a military coup d'etat, flown to Costa Rica after refuelling at a military base staffed with hundred of US army personnel. The coup government held a proven-to-be-fraudulent election in November in which President Pepe Lobo was elected (with Honduran soldiers guarding the election booths) and still serves as President.

For 144 days after the coup, the massive Honduras Resistance Front (which constitutes about 65% of the population of Honduras) marched in the streets in opposition to the coup and the new heavily corrupt officials. The sort of repression that is occurring now in Honduras is not unlike that which occurred during the contra wars of the 80s: the resistance front is under full assault by the oligarchy, backed by the US. The main difference is that today, the brightest lights in organizing communities are being targeted for harassment, illegal detention, torture, and assassination; in the 80s, the violence was less discriminatory. At least 11 Honduran radio, and television journalists have been killed since the coup for their political stance.

This is a nonviolent resistance to intense violent repression. Over 200 people have been killed in protests since the coup. Not a single military or police officer has been harmed by protesters. This resistance is highly organized -- in every single municipality, there is a chapter of the resistance that has meetings and demonstrates frequently to fight the oppression.

The Honduras Resistance Front is a popular, creative, resilient resistance that is constantly growing in strength and with international solidarity. On June 28, 2009, President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a military coup d'etat, flown to Costa Rica after refuelling at a military base staffed with hundred of US army personnel. The coup government held a proven-to-be-fraudulent election in November in which President Pepe Lobo was... elected (with Honduran soldiers guarding the election booths) and still serves as President.

For 144 days after the coup, the massive Honduras Resistance Front (which constitutes about 65% of the population of Honduras) marched in the streets in opposition to the coup and the new heavily corrupt officials. The sort of repression that is occurring now in Honduras is not unlike that which occurred during the contra wars of the 80s: the resistance front is under full assault by the oligarchy, backed by the US. The main difference is that today, the brightest lights in organizing communities are being targeted for harassment, illegal detention, torture, and assassination; in the 80s, the violence was less discriminatory. At least 11 Honduran radio, and television journalists have been killed since the coup for their political stance.

This is a nonviolent resistance to intense violent repression. Over 200 people have been killed in protests since the coup. Not a single military or police officer has been harmed by protesters. This resistance is highly organized -- in every single municipality, there is a chapter of the resistance that has meetings and demonstrates frequently to fight the oppression.

On Friday, May 6 at Autonomia Social Center, we will screen a full-length documentary by Honduran film maker Katia Lara called Quien Dijo Miedo (We Are Not Afraid). The film chronicles the coup, from sentiments before the event to the popular uprise that follows.

An excerpt from an FNRP (Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular) article about the 2010 world tour of the doc:

"The main fact is that grassroots are organizing worldwide to show the truth of what happened during the coup and to talk about what is happening now and what to do as a response, how to organize and help Hondurans fight against Pepe Lobo's military regime and imperialism. All thanks to the documentary."

The resistance in the US with labor uprising and student protests is fighting against the same multinational corporations and entities that kill innocent people (whether slowly, with cancer from poisoned water, or immediate death upon dissent) in most countries across the world. We are joining forces with the FNRP to create a hemisphere free from oppression.

We will have a potluck and discussion followed by the film. Bring what you are able! We will have a meeting with the Seattle-Honduras Solidarity Committee about how to support Seattle activists while they are on the ground in Honduras in coming months. One example of a project proposal is to create an audio documentary about community radio in resistance.

As American citizens, we have the power to pressure our government to cut military funding to Honduras. Without that funding, the Honduran military's ability to continue its attack on the FNRP would be dissolute. We will talk about how to most effectively support Seattle activists (including myself) as they work on the ground in Central America. Media, legislative, and communications support will be vital for people to be effective activists in Honduras.

Join us on May 6, 2011 from 6:30-9:30 at Autonomia Social Center (600 24th Ave, Seattle, WA) for a film screening, potluck, and discussion.

Facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128168803926731