The Phony Group

Latino Activist from Across U.S. to Protest Carlos Slim

Added by santiago on May 17, 2012.
Saved under Latinoamérica y Mundo

Nearly 1,000 Latino leaders, students, community activists and concerned citizens from across the United States will descend on the National Mall in Washington D.C. on Sunday, May 20^th, 2012 to protest the presentation of Carlos Slim – the richest man in the world – with an honorary degree from George Washington University during its graduation ceremony.  The coalition, Two Countries One Voice, is committed to exposing Slim’s monopolistic practices with which he has amassed his fortune.

The coalition sent a letter to George Washington University officials requesting that it sever all ties with Slim and refrain from honoring a man who made his billions on the backs of the Mexican poor. The University declined the request.

This action is just the first of many actions planned to bring attention to Slim’s predatory monopolistic actions and to call on American institutions and corporations to sever ties with Slim.

DATE:             Sunday, May 20, 2012

TIME:              9:00 am

WHERE:         15th Street Knoll (15th and Madison)

National Mall, Washington DC
WHO:              Juan Jose Gutiérrez – Vamos Unidos USA

Andres Ramirez – The Ramirez Group

1,000 Latino leaders, students, and community activists protesting Carlos Slim

BACKGROUND: Carlos Slim’s power and fortune is made up primarily from his monopoly on the Mexican telecommunications system.  According to the independent and highly respected Organization for Cooperation and Development (OECD), Slim’s company, America Movil, which controls nearly 80% of the total Mexican telecom, cell and internet industries, charges exorbitant prices and provides inadequate services. Their report also shows that Slim has price-gouged Mexican customers billions of dollars for basic telephone and Internet service.  They point out that those specifically and most profoundly affected by these business practices are rural and poor communities.

The impact of Carlos Slim’s monopoly has resulted in Mexico ranking LAST in public investment in telecommunications compared with the 33 other OECD countries while Slim’s company Telemex had a profit margin of 47% - one of the highest of the OECD countries.

The Coalition has 40 more leaders and organizations, and includes a mix of American and Latino community-based organizations. All groups are banding together to give a voice to all those who cannot speak out, and are working to defend them from the tactics being used to make the richest man in the world richer.

“We are honored to have received such solidarity from leaders across the country,” said Andres Ramirez, one of the coalition leaders. “The action taken by these organizations is a signal to Carlos Slim, and any others that may be prospering from the unfair treatment to Mexican citizens, that our communities will not stand by idle.”

Last week, Two Countries One Voice submitted a letter to Steven Knapp, president of George Washington University, requesting a meeting to discuss severing all ties with Slim. Specifically, the Coalition is asking that the University disinvite him from the graduation commencement ceremonies on the National Mall and revoke his honorary degree.

Coalition members include the following leaders who are affiliated with leading organizations:

Javier Trujillo

Chair, Latin Chamber of Commerce (Nevada)

Mario Cardenas
President, COFEM

MiguelBarrientos(NV)
Radio Host, Asi se Habla Radio

Vicenta Montoya (NV)
Founder, Si Se Puede Democratic Caucus

Edgar Flores
Familias de Juarez Project

Marco AntonioPacheco
President, Casa de la Cultura Maya

Adelita Grijalva (AZ)

Board Member, Tucson University School District

Juan Ortega
President, Dream Big Vegas

Art Terrazas
New Mexico State University / Hispano Chamber of Commerce

Lorenzo Castillo
Dominicanos Unidos

Antonio Garcia
Organizacion Duranguense

Francisco Morales
Hispanic Student Union – UNLV

Cynthia Vazquez
MeCHA – UNLV

Luz Mosquera
Executive Director, Hermandad Mexicana

StavanCorbett
President of the Board, Luz Coalition

Margarita Rebollal
Executive Director, Community Services of Nevada

Jose Melendrez
Co-Founder, Nevada Alliance for Latino Education and Justice

Leo Murietta
President and Co-Founder,Nevada Youth Alliance

Fernando Romero
President, Hispanics in Politics

Michael Flores
Southern Nevada Director,Nevada Reform Immigration for America

Francisco Pacheco
Day Labor program (East coast coordinator)

Bessy Blanco
President, Association ofSalvadoran Attorney from DC.

Camilo J. Quila
Legal Aid Justice Center

Rafael Herrera
Community activist, Washington D.C.

Jose Artiga
Director, SHARE EL SALVADOR

Reveriano Sanchez
Las Americas News

Gil Lopez
SOL – UNLV

Loamy Diaz
MeCHA – CSN

Carmen Martinez
Hispanic Student Union – CSN

Juan Jose Gutierrez
President, Vamos Unidos USA

Roberto Bravo
Director, CBO Comunitarias (Asociacion de Puebla)

Rosa Posadas
Director, Union de Emigrantes Guatemaltecos (UGE)

Francisco Rivera
President, Mesa Redonda Centroamericana

Leoncio Velasquez
President Hondurenos Unidos (HULA)

Daniel Morales
Director, Collective Space

Josefina Herrera
President, Club Juarez, Chihuaha

Baldomero Capiz
President, Asociacion deex-braceros de Los Angeles

Sonia Zaldivar
Treasurer, Salvadoran Corridor

Ricardo Amado Castillo
GeorgeWashington University Student Alumni Association

Juan Garcia – California

Sandra Ramos — Texas

Ramona Houston — Texas

Alejandra Lopez
Federacion Jalisciense DeNevada

Source: Two Countries One Voice

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