More Making a Difference Activities

In addition to making a difference by letting the governments know how you feel about the wrongful imprisonment of political prisoners, make a difference in one lonely woman's life. Lori would love to hear from you, to know that she has not been forgotten in her solitary cement cell in the Andes. It would raise her spirits to receive letters, postcards, and photos from supporters, BUT please remember to follow these certain rules and restrictions on letters or the prison authorities won't let her see them: All writing must be in Spanish, so that the prison guards can read it. All letters are read by censors before Lori receives them. You should not discuss her case, anything political, or any recent news item. These are some Spanish phrases you may find useful in you letter to Lori. Querida Lori Valor - Bravery Esperanza - Hope Buena suerte - Good luck Salud - Health Mis mejores deseos para ti - Best wishes Espero que estes gozando de buena salud - Wishing you good health Animo y buena suerte - Keep your spirits up Recibe mi sincera solidaridad - My sincere solidarity Te envio mis mas sinceros abrazos - I send you my warmest feelings Espero poder saludarte personalmente muy pronto - I very much hope to say hello to you personally Vaya con Dios - Go with God Me despido por el momento - Goodbye for now Atentamente - Sincerely yours If trying to write a letter in Spanish is a bit daunting, you can use a free translation service available over the Internet! Here's how: 1.Remember you can't write about her case or politics or the news! 2.Go to http://babelfish.altavista.digital.com, and type your note to Lori in the space provided. Or, you can write your letter in your word processor, and then cut-and-paste the text directly into the area in your browser. 3.Select the appropriate translation (English to Spanish) 4.Press the Translate button. 5.Your message is automatically translated! 6.Cut-and-paste the translated text into your word processor (or Notepad, etc). To do this, highlight the text, then select Copy from your browser's Edit menu. Switch to your word processor, then select Paste from its Edit menu. 7.Print your letter. 8.Send it directly to Lori's parents. Since there is no way of knowing how long Lori will be held in her current prison, the best way for her to receive mail is through her parents. To have them deliver correspondence to Lori on their next visit, please send mail to: The Committee to Free Lori Berenson 320 E. 25 Street, #2AA New York, NY 10010 TEACHERS: A card, consisting of a folded sheet of paper with the signatures of all the students would be appreciated, and indicate to Lori how many people are thinking about her and are aware of her plight.

There are several things you can do to help political prisoners in Peru. These include Lori Berenson and Baruch Ivcher, who Kavitha wrote about in her dispatches this update, Get Political, Go to Jail! and An American in the Alcatraz of Peru.

Anyone can write to the President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, and other officials in Peru. Anyone can also write to the President of the United States, though it might be more effective if you are American. Finally, if you are American you can write to your Senator or Representative. When you write, it is best if you think for yourself about a few of the things that you care most about. Maybe you think the conditions these people are living in are too harsh, maybe you think the judicial process was flawed, etc. You should be specific about the people you know about, especially Lori and Baruch, who Kavitha wrote about.

These are some examples of specific things you can focus on:

• Demand that the Peruvian government cease its persecution of Baruch Ivcher, dismiss all charges against him and members of his family, and return to him the properties that the Peruvian government has unlawfully confiscated.
• Demand that Peru comply with the recommendations of the UN Committee for Human Rights and international bodies by releasing all innocent prisoners immediately and providing new trials for all those who were convicted by military tribunals of treason and terrorism charges.