‘They have taken
land and displaced
people from their
traditional lands.
The communities
can’t get to the
garden parcels
where they are
farming to plant
their seeds. When
settlers are
encountering the
indigenous people
on the way to their
parcels, there are
assassinations,
they are kidnapping
them, and sexually
abusing women.’
— D E LV I N R O S A L I O
ment is going to set up a concrete proposal to stop the
conflict and comply with their responsibilities.”
A BREAK IN EUGENE
Bilbano also says she hopes indigenous cultural
groups in the U.S. will mobilize in support of their
cause, and she wants to spread awareness to Americans
about the conflict.
Right now, Rosalio and Bilbano are staying in Eu-
gene, a trip their sponsors — ELAW and the Ireland-
based Front Line Defenders — describe as one of “rest
and respite.” One reason the two indigenous activists
are in Eugene is to “provide a physical and psychologi-
cal break for defenders from the extreme stress of the
dangerous work they do,” according to an email from
Erin Kilbride, a media coordinator with Front Line De-
fenders, a group founded to help human rights defend-
ers who are at risk.
But soon Rosalio and Bilbano will return to their col-
leagues. Rosalio says their organization previously had
18 members, but has since reduced to seven. He says
members left the group out of fear from the constant
threats they have received during the conflict.
Rosalio points to an anonymous Facebook post,
which conveys the reality of his work back home. The
post shows photos of Rosalio and other members of
his organization, describing him and his colleagues as
“spreading garbage” and appears to express outrage
over media organizations’ quoting them over the issue.
“I recommend that you return to your roots, which
is the dump. Because that is the place where you come
from,” it says. The user’s profile picture bears the logo of
the country’s ruling party, the Frente Sandinista de Liber-
ación Nacional. ■
Visit the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide homepage at elaw.
org to learn about Centro por la Justicia y Derechos Humanos de la
Costa Atlántica de Nicaragua’s work at cejudhcan.org. ELAW’s execu-
tive director is the son of EW owner Anita Johnson.
Bold Ideas for our Communities
• INCREASE PATROLS on our highways and in our neighborhoods.
• HIRE WATERSHED COORDINATORS to improve services and ensure
rural voices are heard with new local positions funded with Tim’s pay.
• A FAIR SHARE FROM CORPORATIONS - Fees and taxes for our
seniors and families have increased while out of state corporations
have gotten millions in tax cuts. It’s time everyone pays their fair share.
25 Years of Public Service
• ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Fire redeployment: new facilities
for a new century; Police Commission and Civilian Review Board;
a new Eugene Library; improved parks and open spaces;
and Tim helped sustain Public Safety, Public Health and Youth
and Mental Health Services during deep cuts.
• EXPERIENCE: CASA advocate; Public Safety Coordinating
Council; Civilian Review Board; Sustainability, Police and
Human Services Commissions; Eugene City Council;
Neighborhood leader and community volunteer.
TimLaue.com · 541-600-9722
VoteTim@TimLaue.com
Paid for and Authorized by Tim Laue for Commissioner, Lee Gire, Treasurer
JUANA BILBANO
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– let us reinvest in you.
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P H O T O BY T O D D C O O P E R
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