FREE RODOLFO MONTIEL AND TEODORO CABRERA

EARTH DEFENDERS, NOT CRIMINALS

“We want them out.” -- Mexico's President Vicente Fox to Amnesty International's Secretary General Pierre Sané, referring to his support for releasing environmental defenders Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera from

prison, March 13, 2001.

“We want them out.” Seems straight forward enough. So, why are Rodolfo and Teodoro still in jail four months later? And why won't President Fox make a

public statement in support of Mr. Montiel and Mr. Cabrera?

Join Sierra Club and Amnesty International in urging President Fox to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Montiel and Mr. Cabrera and to

issue a public statement on their behalf. His views and public support could make a world of difference for these two Prisoners of Conscience. Mr. Montiel

and Mr. Cabrera are earth defenders, not criminals. They should be celebrated for their work, not imprisoned.

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Join the Sierra Club and Amnesty International at a press conference in front of the Mexican Consulate to express support for Mr. Montiel and Mr. Cabrera.

When: Friday, July 20, 10:30am - 11:30am

Where: Mexican Consulate, 2401 W 6th St., Los Angeles

Who to contact: Mercedes Chavez, Sierra Club, (310) 765-3537

Mario Tafur, Amnesty International, (310) 815-0450



[More background and a "Take Action" on the other side]



As Mexico's court system considers the latest appeal of the case of the two wrongly imprisoned environmental defenders, Rodolfo and Teodoro have now

spent nearly 27 months of their lives in prison, separated from family and friends. Their "crime?" Standing up and speaking out on behalf of the forests

of the Sierra de Petatlan, which were being excessively and possibly illegally logged.

For defending the forests, Rodolfo and Teodoro were taken into custody by members of Mexico's 40th Infantry Battalion, who were reportedly given

instructions to target these earth defenders by wealthy local land owners who were profiting from the timber sales. For the next several days, both men

were held incommunicado during which time they were tortured until they signed blank pieces of paper later filled in with false confessions.

This case has become a high profile test case for the new government of President Fox, which has pledged to review allegations of human rights abuses

committed during previous administrations. While members of his administration have publicly supported the earth defenders and while President Fox has made his support for them known in private meetings, he has

not yet issued a public statement of support for Rodolfo and Teodoro.

Now is the time for President Fox to publicly express his support for the environmentalists and to do everything within his power to see that these

earth defenders are immediately and unconditionally released.

Public support has never been more critical than it is now. Should President Fox come out in support of Mr. Montiel and Mr. Cabrera, this will go a long

way in ensuring that justice is served and the men are released. The impact of this could indeed establish a new era of freedom and hope among many

grassroots, human rights, labor, and environmental activists throughout Mexico. President Fox has the chance to really bring a new day to Mexico.

Please call the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles at (213) 351-6800 or (213) 651-6825. Let them know that you support Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera,

and that you will stand by President Fox if he decides to publicly support the earth defenders by immediately and unconditionally releasing them.