DEMILITARIZATION DAY FOR LATIN AMERICA

Dear Fellow Peace Worker:

We met at the Peace Summit in Costa Rica recently and I mentioned to you our project to declare a Demilitarization Day for Latin America.

Since then, The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom of Costa Rica, Heredia Chapter, met and decided on December 1, 2010 as the DIA PRO DESMILITARIZACION DE AMERICA LATINA, December 1 being the day that Costa Rica decided to abolish its army in 1948.

As you know, we will need your help to make this a reality. As you also know, Latin America has increased its budget for military build-up in the last couple of years by

25%. With the increasing number of poor and starving men, women and children in our countries, it seems unthinkable that governments would assign so much money for arms. Who are we afraid of? What neighbor country is going to attack us?

Of course, we also know that the arms producing countries push arms sales on developing countries. Sometimes, aid is contingent upon these purchases. Therefore, it is our intention to raise consciousness amongst the population and within the governments that Latin America needs to eliminate its poverty first, and not waste its money on arms it does not need. Just imagine what $50,000 million spent on arms would have meant in food and shelter for the poor of Latin America!

Are you willing to help us? Can you help us spread the word in your country? How many and which organizations in your country can you contact to get them on the bandwagon?

PLEASE, let me hear from you at estilita8@gmail.com Saludos from peace-loving Costa Rica.


Estilita Grimaldo and the women of...

             Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom of Costa Rica,


              Heredia Chapter.