Speakers to discuss El Salvador’s upcoming Presidential Election and the impact of “Free Trade” on Central American Migration

MEDIA ADVISORY

October 1, 2008

Contact

Francisco López: (503) 269-5694

Erik Sorensen: (503) 488-0263

CAUSA to host speakers on El Salvador’s upcoming Presidential Election and the impact of “Free Trade” on Central American Migration
Next week, CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition, will host two guest speakers in Salem on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Bishop Medardo E. Gómez-Soto of the Resurrection Lutheran Church of the Salvadoran Synod and Carrie Tracy of the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations will discuss the influence that the U.S.’s “Free Trade” Agreements have had on the northern migration of Central Americans into the United States and the upcoming Presidential Elections in El Salvador.

Bishop Gómez-Soto has a long and extensive history of working for human rights, defending victims of economic hardship and social violence and lobbying in Washington D.C. against the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). In 1990, Bishop Gomez-Soto was a recipient of the Rothko Chapel's Oscar Romero Award, which is presented to persons or organizations who distinguish themselves by their courage and integrity in defense of human rights.

Carrie Tracy is an attorney and the director of the Immigration Project for the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO). NWFCO provides training, technical assistance, and policy support for grassroots organizations in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana that represent low income communities, immigrants, urban Native Americans, and people with disabilities.

The Impact of U.S. Free Trade Agreements on Central American Migration Into the United States
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 1:30 p.m
Location: Chemeketa Community College Salem Campus, Building 2, Salem, OR 97301

Defend Salvadorans' Right to Democracy: El Salvador March 2009 Presidential Election - Become an Election Observer
Date & Time: Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: La Margarita Express at 515 Chemeketa Street NE, Salem, OR 97301

Drinks and appetizers will be available for purchase. For more information or to RSVP please call Francisco López at (503) 269-5694

CAUSA is Oregon's statewide, grassroots immigrant rights coalition. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information about CAUSA, please visit www.causaoregon.org

Posted in: Bishop Medardo E. Gómez-Soto,Carrie Tracy,CAUSA,Central America Free Trade Agreement,El Salvador,Events