A group of in-process families, led by some from Semillas de Amor, have orgaanized a march and candlelihgt vigil in Wahington DC on june 17th as part of the the "Guatemala 900" initiative. I am told that they have obtained all necessary permits required to do this. You can find the information by clicking on "more". Speaking from experience, a day of social activism in our nation's capital is always a memorable one. So why not come out if you can. I'm going to try to be there if I can...
On January 1, 2008 adoptions in Guatemala abruptly changed from a privately run system to government run entity. The 5000 adoptions that were “in process” at the time were “grandfathered” to finish under the laws in which they began. Although the Guatemalan government promised to expeditiously process all of these grandfathered, pre-Hague adoption cases in a timely and reasonable manner, now almost a year and a half later approximately 900 children are still waiting to join their families.
The Guatemala 900 campaign is being launched as a voice for these 900 children and asks the governments of the United States and Guatemala to work together to ensure speedy due process for the remaining grandfathered cases.
The Guatemala 900 campaign will begin with the “Guatemala 900 March” on June 17, 2009 in Washington, DC. This event kicks off a SERIES OF ACTIONS to call attention to the stagnation of the remaining 900 grandfathered adoptions, and demand steps by the US and Guatemalan governments to deliver timely due process and transparency. We can no longer let these cases languish as political hot potatoes while children wait in limbo.
June 17 - The Day’s Events:
10am-noon: march from the White house to the Capitol. We will close with two great speakers.
5pm: Vigil at the Guatemalan Embassy, with 900 candles as a tribute to the children we represent.
All marchers are strongly encouraged to personally meet with their Members of Congress. Guatemala900 can help you with your approach and requests.
The website will be up and running within days, with loads of info: www.guatemala900.org
We need help to make the biggest impact possible! If you have a special skill or interest, please contact us by email.
For travelers:
The discounted hotel rate of $189 expires on Tuesday June 2, so reserve now.
Room Block for reservations is under Guatemala900
Courtyard Embassy Row, 1600 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington DC
Tel: 202.293.8000
We will Meet & Greet at the hotel on June 16 for banner & sign making.
The Guatemala900 was founded by Semillas de Amor adoptive families, some whose children are already home and others who still wait. OUR CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR RESOLUTION ON ALL GUATEMALA900 CASES.
Posted by Kevin at June 3, 2009 07:48 PMThank you Kevin for posting this. I will be there on June 17, 2009 and I look forward to spending the day reminding our government about the 900 "not-forgotten". Due Process is way overdue and is DUE NOW!! Hope to see everyone in DC!
Posted by: tracey at June 4, 2009 11:19 AMThanks Kevin!
The march will begin at 10am at 15th/New York – in front of Dept of Treasury. It will end at the Taft Memorial, north of the Capitol, on Constitution Avenue between New Jersey Avenue and First Street, N.W. We’ll have speakers at Taft Memorial around noon.
The candle light vigil at the embassy will take place in the late afternoon.
Our website (www.guatemala900.org) currently has the basic info. We’ll be posting additional details within days. If you want to snag the guideline for how to approach your Member of Congress sooner than that, just request it via the email on the website.
Looking forward to seeing you there! Stay committed and stay strong!
Is there any way for those of us who cannot attend make our support known?? I wish I could be there...
Posted by: Sara M at June 4, 2009 06:33 PMAnyone going from Texas??? Even though we have our son, and have had him for 4 years now. I'm going to go and show my support. Lets Caravan to D.C. and show our support.
Posted by: Sandy Harboe at June 7, 2009 10:05 AMOur website is now up and running, with a lot of info about the march and about the request we'd like you to take to your congressional reps.
Check us out at: http://guatemala900.org/
Posted by: colleen at June 8, 2009 04:59 PMSome of us that live in the DC area and have adopted from Guatemala will be attending the march (with our kids) to show our support.
Posted by: Mary at June 9, 2009 08:57 PMGreetings,
As a adoptive parent that received our child one year ago, but know we could just as easy be one of those that are still waiting, I encourage all people who have adopted a child from Guatemala in the past to try to make this event not only for those who have not received their child, but for our child that we have received.
If others did not stand up and continue the fight years ago then we would not have received our child as we did, and now all of us must take a stand to help every child still in Guatamala orphanages and need their families.
In a march like this numbers mean everything. If very few people come our elected leaders will do nothing, but if enough people show up they will have to act.
Let's do it for our child, yesterday, today and forever.
Don