Argentina: anti-sweatshop activists attacked by owners

I'm a member of an anti-sweatshop movement in Buenos Aires. I'm writing to you because we are having serious problems with the sweatshops' owners and the Police, and we are seeking urgent international support.

We are a popular assembly struggling against more than 20,000 sweatshops in which Bolivian migrant laborers live and work for up to 18 hours a day, for a pittance. As in the US or in the EU, they are trafficked from their home country. Since 2005 we have been denouncing sweatshops and branded manufacturers and retailers, taking 85 brands to the courts.

Last week we were attacked by a hundred sweatshops owners even in the presence of the chief of the neighbourhood's police station. The Police forces have a long story of protecting sweatshops, and this makes us even more vulnerable. One of our leaders, Gustavo, is now seriously injured. He is a public school teacher who lives in a rented tiny apartment in a working class neighbourhood. As we all do, he gives away his live for the cause. In front of this attack, the issue reached unprecedented public awareness; the mass media and more than a thousand organisations are now supporting us. However, the sweatshop mafia is threatening us constantly.

Naturally, you know how much international support is needed to drive the authorities to, at least, provide us with proper custody. If you are willing to do so, please send a statement of support to defensoria@defensoria.org.ar (People's Defender, City of Buenos Aires) copying us to asambleaparqueavellaneda@hotmail.com . We have prepared the statement you may find below to make it easier for you. A further level of support would be for you to present a letter of support to the authorities of an Argentinian Consulate. Recently, a union from Hong Kong did this and it has been specially important. In case you agree, feel free to get back to us so we can provide you with more information for the preparation of the letter.

I hope you can help, you know that we desperately need your support. We keep in touch.

With best regards,

Jerónimo

http://laalameda.wordpress.com