Soon after a panel of representatives from Homeland Security, the Border Patrol, and other US officials was introduced at today's Congressional hearing on Plan Mexico, a member of Friends of Brad Will stood up to challenge this plan to send weapons, counter-insurgency training, and other resources to the Mexican government. After a representative demanded that he be silent, he was carried by Capitol Police out of the crowded hearing room and arrested.

Friends of murdered U.S journalist and activist, Brad Will are working to expose the Bush administration’s plan to get Congress to approve a 1.5 billion dollar military aid package to Mexico under the pretext of fighting the widely criticized “war on drugs.” The “Merida Initiative” or Plan Mexico is a secret
“security pact” to expand the
‘drug war’ in Mexico and would provide weapons - including helicopters, (previously used by Mexican police forces to shoot civilians at protests) and surveillance equipment, and lethal “counter-insurgency” training to brutal
Mexican security forces and corrupt
government institutions that have been widely condemned for human rights abuses. Much more
information is available
at friendsofbradwill.org

Today, at 10:00 a.m, a congressional subcommittee in D.C convene to discuss “U.S. Obligations under the Merida Initiative.” Americans are not aware of Plan Mexico, which must be made fully public. Friends of Brad Will demands fair Congressional hearings that actually provide opportunities for serious public concerns about the dangers of Plan Mexico to inform Congressional inquiry. Serious reforms of the Mexican judiciary and police forces must precede any military aid being given to Mexican government institutions.

How you can help stop Plan Mexico- Call relevant U.S. committee chairs to demand accountability for the murder of Brad Will and the murders of many Mexican teachers and civilians. Accountability must precede any U.S. taxpayer-funded lethal aid to Mexican security forces that have enjoyed impunity for murders of leftists, and numerous other human rights abuses.

Contact:

★Congress member Elliot Engel
Chair of Western Hemispheric Affairs Subcommittee: 202-225-2464


★Congress member Tom Lantos
Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee: 202-225-3531


★Congress member Nita Lowey
Chair of Foreign Operations Subcommittee:202-225-6506