For more info contact:
Andres Thomas Conteris, FOR (202) 387-2785
Joan Heckscher, Global Exchange (202) 547-2640
John Lindsay-Poland, FOR (415) 864-7242
Manuel Saca of Ecuador has been denied a non-immigrant visa to
the United States. Manuel, a primary school teacher, and member
of The National Confederation of Indigenaous People of Ecuador
(CONAIE), is scheduled to participate in the Exchange Residency
Progam of the Fellowship of Reconciliation from March 7 to May 2.
Mr. Rafael Pandam, also of CONAIE, has been granted a visa for
the two-month tour. The program is designed to give faith based,
indigenous, academic and environmental communites in the US a
chance to learn about the lives of the indigenous people of
Ecuador. This is the first time Manuel has applied for a visa to
come to the U.S. No reason was given for the visa denial.
URGENT ACTION:
CALL OR FAX THE US CONSULATE IN QUITO, ECUADOR
to urge them to issue a visa for Manuel Saca. The US Counsel
General is: Gwen C. Clair.
phone: 011-593-2-652-890
fax: 011-593-2-502-052
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE. Urge them to call or fax
the US Consulate in Quito directly at the number listed above, or
to call the Ecuador Desk of the State Department at (202)
647-3338. Phone (U.S. Capitol Switchboard): (202) 224-3121
CALL THE ECUADOR DESK OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT. Urge that they
assist in the IMMEDIATE granting of a visa to Manuel Saca.
phone: (202) 647-3338
SHARE THIS INFO with your networks, urge them to take action
SUGGESTED TEXT FOR FAXES TO ECUADOR
I write to urgently request that Manuel Saca be issued a visa for
his visit to the US. Mr. Saca is schedlued to participate in the
Fellowship of Reconciliation's National Exchange Residency March
7 to May 2, 1992.
It is important to contact the U.S. Embassy in Quito and/or State
Department promptly since the Exchange Residency is scheduled to
begin this Saturday, March 7. Manuel's schedule is San
Francisco, Oregon, Alaska, Georgia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, South Dakota, New York, and Washington, DC. Please
fax copies of letters to Andres Thomas Conteris (202) 546-1962 or
John Lindsay-Poland (415) 558-7027. Thank you for your help.