February 26, 2008

 Evo Morales to visit Boston!

Statement
from the
Bolivian Embassy
(in Spanish)

Sponsoring Organizations

• Alliance for Democracy - Cambridge and Northbridge
• American Friends Service Committee
• Arise for Social Justice
• Bikes Not Bombs
• Bolivian Association of Massachusetts
• Boston Bolivarianos
• Boston May Day Coalition
• Centro Presente
• Chelsea Collaborative
• Colombia Vive
• Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador
• Grassroots International
• Harvard College Student Advocates for Human Rights
• Latina/os for Social Change
• Jobs with Justice
• Massachusetts Global Action
• Queer Today
• Santuario P@ra Todos - Arlington Street Church
• Stop the Wars Coalition
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
• Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Boston

On February 26, 2008, Boston will welcome President Evo Morales of Bolivia. At the cutting edge of an Andean movement of social change from below, Evo came to power in 2006 following an innovative combination of protest, mass actions, people power and consistent electoral activity. His ascent marks the first time that a leader representing the indigenous majority is at the head of government since the advent of colonialism.

More than a new leadership, Evo Morales is leading a major social transformation of Bolivia and Latin America. His government has reworked the constitution to bring ordinary people into the democratic process; it has restored sovereignty over natural resources; it has placed human rights at the center of development, recognizing for example, the human right to water. It has restored dignity to peasants by legalizing traditional crops, including the coca plant.

Above all else, economic development strategy and social welfare are now part of the same process and not incidental to each other. Social security protections have been extended to the aged and to children. Rejecting self-defeating ideological prescriptions, Evo has welcomed medical and development assistance from Cuba and Venezuela.

Bolivia's future development and sovereignty is by no means guaranteed. It is subject to a host of challenges ranging from resource constraints to a global economic environment that is hostile to developing economies. Nonetheless, the revolution signaled by Evo's election, means that for the first time serious efforts are being made to develop all of Bolivia and create conditions that will keep Bolivians from having to cross borders in search of livelihoods.

Evo's trip to Boston is being organized by a growing coalition of grassroots organizations and advocacy groups. The evening's events begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.

Exact location and admission information about the event will be made available as soon as the security and logistical details have been made available to the event organizers.

In the meantime, if you'd like to attend the event, please fill out this form.

If you represent a community-based organization and would like members of your community to attend the event, please send an e-mail to info < @ >evoinboston <dot> org or call 617-482-6300. Community-based organizations are encouraged to endorse the event and to work with the organizers to enable the community to attend.

TICKET FORM
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