Human rights activist talks at Bethel Church

The U.S. government is providing Colombia with $1.5 million per day in military aid -- some of which is being used to protect Occidental Petroleum's operations in Sanabria's state of Arauca.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly documented the human rights abuses committed by the Colombian military.

Come hear Sanabria describe how women are resisting the war and waging peace, and how you can support them in their struggle!

Sanabria was elected to the Arauquita municipal council as a representative of the Alternative Democratic Pole opposition party in October 2007. As she was traveling with the mayor and other council members on January 26, their caravan was attacked by the guerrillas and four police escorts were killed.

In addition to the threats from the guerrillas, Sanabria has also been threatened by the government security forces. Her first husband was assassinated because of his involvement with the Patriotic Union party -- which posed a strong challenge to the Colombian government.

"Arauca is a very beautiful and fertile state that is being destroyed by the war and the oil corporations," says Sanabria. "I want my children to be able to live in peace and to enjoy the rivers, estuaries and grasslands of Arauca. Instead of sending more weapons, we ask that the U.S. government use your tax dollars to provide support for schools, health care and decent housing -- in Arauca, as well as Oregon and Washington."

She is a founding member of the Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Arauca and is the Committee's representative in Arauquita. She is also the president of the municipal human rights commission.

Sanabria is being accompanied by Scott Nicholson who has been in Arauca since July 2006 documenting the human rights situation in the region. The presentation will include some of his photos of Arauca.

Sanabria's presentation is sponsored by United Bethel Church of Christ, Montana Human Rights Network, Lutheran World Federation, and Community Action for Justice in the Americas.

Childcare will be provided.