AUSTIN
TAN CERCA DE LA FRONTERA (ATCF)
(a project of the
American Friends Service Committee)
Statement of Purpose
The
purpose of Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera is to establish
and maintain relationships of mutual solidarity, guided by
a conscious and growing understanding of the conditions of
each other's lives, between the people of
Central Texas and the border region. While we work to educate
ourselves and others regarding the complex structures and
belief systems that lead to the particular forms of repression
and exploitation in the maquiladora industries, we will always
emphasize the empowerment derived from the imagination, the
indomitable spirit and the collective will of working people
and their representatives. Within these solidarity relationships,
informed and empowered by an imaginative and engaged process
of education, we will confront the dominant powers and insist
on social and economic change.
Delegations
to the Border by ATCF (click
for information on these delegations).
Schedule
of Quarterly Visits to the Border
January 5-7,
2007 (Piedras Negras)
March
16-18, 2007 (Reynosa and Rio Bravo)
May 18-20, 2007 (Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña)
October 12-14,
2007 (Nuevo Laredo) For
more information you can e-mail Judy
Rosenberg or call 512-494-8377. Further
information on the delegation calendar and destinations
can be obtained through the Austin chapter of American
Friends Service Committee, 512-474-2399.
Contact
Info
Tom West
512-762-7952
ATCF
home page: Austin
Tan Cerca de la Frontera, a Project of the American Friends
Service Committee
**********
American
Friends Service Committee
American
Friends: Central Region: ( AFSC/TAO)
(Texas,
Arkansas, Oklahoma Office)
1304
E. Sixth Street, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: 512-474-2399
AFSC has conducted public education
and solidarity programs on various peace issues in the Texas,
Arkansas, Oklahoma area for over 50 years.
CJM
- The Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras
“The
CJM is a tri-national,
non-profit, non-governmental Coalition committed to democratic
processes and unity of action.
CJM is composed of organizations, groups, and individuals
from religious, labor, the environmental, community and
women’s groups in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Our goal is to work together on actions and initiatives
to guarantee equality of opportunity for all, while being
sensitive to pluralist representation and respectful towards
the diverse cultures concerned.”
www.coalitionforjustice.net
Executive
Director: Martha
Ojeda
COALITION
FOR JUSTICE IN THE MAQUILADORAS
4207
Willow Brook Road
San Antonio, TX 78228
210-732-8957
Email:
cjm_mojeda@igc.org
La
Fuerza Unida
http://www.lafuerzaunida.org
| Fuerza Unida's
most exciting project is the Cooperativa Hilo de la
Justica, which offers sewing and alterations at reasonable
prices, sewing classes, accessories for the kitchen,
handbags and fine cloths.
|
Fuerza Unida was formed in February of 1990 out of the Live
Strauss and Company plant closure on South Zarzamora Street
in San Antonio, TX. When Levi Strauss and Company announced
that it was moving its business to Costa Rica, 1,115 workers
were left unemployed, most of whom were Mexican American women.
The events that followed devastated the workers left behind
in San Antonio, who were left without severance pay, pensions,
medical support or retraining programs. The impact of
Levi's action left the workers facing the trauma of unemployment,
family insecurity
and the inability to support themselves
and their families. Many were left permanently injured
due to the work that Levi subjected them to, making it virtually
impossible for many of the older workers with educational
and language barriers to gain decent employment.
In
response to this, a determined group of employees attended
an initial meeting at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church
located in the working class barrio in the southwest side
of San Antonio. It is here where many of the displaced
workers banned together and created Fuerza Unida.
The majority of the displaced workers are Mexican American
women who at the time of the plant closures had an average
of a sixth grade education. The majority of these
workers live in the southwest side of San Antonio where
the unemployment rate is 12% in a city that is considered
one of the ten poorest cities in the nation. Fuerza
Unida gave the workers support and guidance through a difficult
time in their lives.
Despues De
Quince (15) Años, La Lucha Continúa.
Fuerza
Unida provides important educational services for immigrant
workers and can always use financial assistance. For
further information contact them at
FUERZA
UNIDA
710
NEW LAREDO HWY
SAN
ANTONIO, TX 78211
Phone:
210-927-2294
Fax: 210-927-0500
Email:
admin@lafuerzaunida.org
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