(note, our posting of this message does not mean we take a position on the freedom of Ricardo Palmera)
In a speaking tour organized by the National Committee to Free
Ricardo Palmera, Professor Daza-Cotes will travel to the U.S. to talk
about fellow professor and political prisoner Ricardo Palmera. She
will speak about U.S. intervention in Colombia and her own journey,
as Colombian military death squads tortured and murdered those around
her, from liberal politics to more radical views. Ms. Daza-Cotes was
forced into exile in Sweden around the same time Ricardo Palmera
decided to join the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). As
the peaceful path to social justice in Colombia was blocked, the
choices were limited.
Imelda Daza-Cotes was called to testify in Washington D.C. at the
first trial of Ricardo Palmera. Judge Hogan ruled that she and a U.N.
official, the only witnesses for the defense, would not be allowed.
The prosecution was allowed 21 witnesses. The prosecution lost the
case when the jury, believing Ricardo Palmera's testimony, deadlocked
and Judge Hogan declared a mistrial.
President Bush extradited, imprisoned and put on trial both Ricardo
Palmera and Anayibe Rojas Valderrama, known as Sonia. These Colombian
revolutionaries have done nothing wrong; they only served the people
of Colombia and rebelled against a murderous, undemocratic government
backed by the White House. Ricardo Palmera is held in solitary
confinement, allowed no visits from family, friends, supporters or
his Colombian lawyer. No reporters are allowed to interview him or
his lawyers. It is a political trial and Ricardo Palmera is a
political hostage.
The following speaking days are scheduled:
New York City and New Haven, Connecticut - Feb. 9-10
Asheville, North Carolina - Feb. 11
Raleigh, North Carolina - Feb. 12
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Feb. 13-14
San Francisco, California - Feb. 15
Chicago, Illinois - Feb. 16-17
For more information contact http://www.freericardopalmera.org