> Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 15:10:49 +0000 > Reply-To: Forum on Labor in the Global Economy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > From: Jordi Martorell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Steel workers leader on trial in Argentina > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Dear comrades: > > This is a solidarity appeal we have received from Taller de Estudios > Laborales (Labour Studies Workshop-TEL)) in Argentina. A full report of > the situation of the trial and background to this situation can be found > at Labournet's web site (www.labournet.org.uk) or obtained from TEL > ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). > > In solidarity, > > La Red Obrera/Labournet > www.labournet.org.uk > > ------------------------ > > Dear Friends: > > We ask you to join and support the campaign for the acquittal of Oscar > Martinez and dozens of working class leaders who are persecuted in > Argentina. > > The trial of Oscar Martinez in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, is scheduled > to begin September 8. Martinez is the organization secretary of the Rio > Grande, Tierra del Fuego steelworkers union and one of the most respected > workers leaders in the province. That is why he is being > persecuted by the government and its servile justice system. > > > Martinez has been accused "aiding and abetting criminal acts" because he > participated in an April 12, 1995 march against the brutal repression of > workers who were occupying the Continental Fueguina plant. Police > attacked the marchers, killing Victor Choque and injuring > dozens of workers. > > We call on political parties, human rights advocacy groups, trade unions, > student unions and all advocates of democratic liberties throughout the > world to help get out the truth about Martinez and join the campaign for > his acquittal. As part of the campaign, we propose to gather signatures > for the following text to be sent to the court and the governor of Tierra > del Fuego: > > Governor of Tierra del Fuego, Jose Estabillo > Members of the Tierra del Fuego Criminal Court, > Judges Novarino, Pagano and Zabalia Ramos > > We the undersigned demand the immediate acquittal of Oscar Martinez, > organization secretary of the Rio Grande Steelworkers Union, on trial for > the April 12, 1995 events outside the Tierra del Fuego government > building and the police headquarters, where brutal police repression > caused the death of Victor Choque. We hold that by trying Martinez, Luis > Bazan of Cordoba or the pickets of Cutral-Co in Neuquen province the > government seeks to smother > workers struggles against economic plans that cause hunger and > unemployment. > Meanwhile, crimes committed by "trigger-happy" cops, such as the deaths > of Victor Choque, Teresa Rodriguez and Jose Luis Cabezas go unpunished. > We demand that those responsible for the violent repression that injured > dozens of workers be tried and punished. > > Please send messages of support to > Calle Chile 1362 - > (1098) Buenos Aires - > Argentina. > Phone/Fax + (541) 381-2976. > E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
