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According to event coordinator, Carol Johnson, the caravan
will be passing through Fayetteville on its way to Chiapas
Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua to deliver aid
and supplies.
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The
Rev. Lucius Walker walks with the peoples of
Chiapas in a previous Pastors for Peace visit.
(Photo:
Courtesy )
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"The
purpose of the caravan is to raise awareness of the effects
US government policies are having on the people of Mexico
and Central America," Johnson said. "Pastors for
Peace will be visiting Latin America in direct opposition
to the policies of the US, International Monetary Fund and
the World Bank, which actively suppress grassroots movements
seeking progressive social change," she added.
Pastors for Peace is a program of the Interreligious Foundation
for Community Organization (IFCO). According to their executive
director, Rev. Lucius Walker, the IFCO is a group of progressive
church leaders and activists dedicated to advancing the struggles
of oppressed people for justice and self-determination.
"The
IFCO was organized in response to requests from communities
and non-governmental organizations in Latin America seeking
support for their struggles for justice and peace," Walker
said. "Leaders and spokespersons from indigenous and
campesino communities welcome the material aid and, more importantly,
the support and presence of our caravans," he added.
The group's Fayetteville stop is one of several in the US
and Canada as they wind their way to the Mexican boarder.
According to Julie Rogers, a past coordinator of the event,
Fayetteville is a frequent stopping point for the caravan,
which has traveled to Latin America 36 times since 1967.
The April fifth event, which will include a reception for
the travelers and an information session, is sponsored locally
by RICA and the Campus Democracy Collective. The event is
open to the public. Coordinators encourage those interested
in learning more about Latin America or the peace and justice
movement to attend. 
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