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Community Report-Back : CISPES Elections-Observing Delegation

Community Report-Back : CISPES Elections-Observing Delegation. Monday, March 30th, 2009. Historical context. The first time since colonization that the people have governed themselves. Colonization civil war peace agreements in ‘92

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Community Report-Back : CISPES Elections-Observing Delegation

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  1. Community Report-Back: CISPES Elections-Observing Delegation Monday, March 30th, 2009

  2. Historical context • The first time since colonization that the people have governed themselves. • Colonization • civil war • peace agreements in ‘92 • right-wing held power through fear tactics and fraud. • Has worked hand-in-hand with US right-wing • “The realization of the democratic revolution.”

  3. What was this delegation?

  4. Objectives of Delegation • Bear witness to the triumph of democracy in El Salvador as the culmination of our work to defend free and fair elections • Meet with social movement groups and learn their perspectives about why these elections are so important • Train ourselves in Salvadoran electoral law and the role of observers in order to effectively observe the 2009 presidential elections • Prepare people to mobilize in the US through CISPES chapters to challenge fraud or defend victory

  5. What did we do while we were there? • Meet with allies • Unions • Activists • Young people • Elections-observing • As a tool to support our allies • Organize!! • Press conferences, interviews, articles • Mobilize efforts to confront US intervention

  6. Walking on Two legs • The history of FMLN is the history of the popular struggle • The FMLN sees the social movement as the backbone for change, and • the social movement sees the party as the instrument to bring change. • it is going to be hard to make structural changes in the face of US influence, but they have the support of the people and the social movements

  7. Victory despite structural fraud • Who controlled the TSE? • ARENA bussing in foreigners • pressuring workers to vote for ARENA • Dirty campaigning • ARENA • Fuerza Solidaria • US congress people • Popular defense of the vote! • stopping busses of foreigners • closing state buildings where foreigners were being housed • massive voter turn-out: 60%!

  8. “Don’t worry! I’ll help you Tony!”

  9. Thwarting U.S. Intervention • 2004 Presidential elections: • left had a chance to win – • dirty campaigning • heavy U.S. intervention • 2009: CISPES was prepared! • Dear Colleague letter (33 signers) • people’s pledge • March: • interventionist statements from congress people • mobilized U.S. solidarity base! • Success! • State Department’s and Embassy’s statements • Salvadoran Press

  10. What lies ahead!

  11. U.S. Policy • Despite U.S. focus in middle-east, the State Department is worried about leftward shift across Latin America • Obama: winds of change • public statements of “mutual respect” • Why? • Wants the FMLN to be part of the “good” left (aka centrist) rather “bad” left (aka left) • Keep ES cooperating with CAFTA, Merida Initiative • FMLN response • will do what needs to be done for Salvadoran people

  12. CISPES work • Defend the victory from US intervention and economic interests • Organize committees • Lots of new energy • DC local!!! Who’s ready?? • Support the new administration • MATERIAL AID DONATIONS!!

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