Dear John,
I would like to start by extending a heartfelt thanks to our community who have tirelessly supported WOLA throughout the years and continue to show up for us, rain or shine. Last week was an extremely busy and emotional week at WOLA as we kicked off our 50th anniversary through a series of events and it was wonderful to reconnect with so many familiar faces.
The highlight of the week was the public address by President Boric of Chile at a ceremony in Washington D.C co-sponsored by WOLA, where the president paid tribute to the victims of the Pinochet dictatorship, among them Orlando Letelier and Ronni Moffitt.
That same day, President Boric welcomed us to the residence of Juan Gabriel Valdés, the Ambassador of Chile, where he awarded WOLA a medal in recognition of our human rights work since the coup in 1973.
We are extremely humbled by this gesture from the government of Chile, which is of course a recognition of the years that many of you have dedicated to fighting for human rights in the Americas. But it is also especially a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Joe Eldridge, the founder, or co-founder of WOLA, as he likes to be called.
That is why we chose to honor Joe at our 50th anniversary reception held last week at the Mexican Cultural Institute. Thanks to so many of you for joining us in celebrating the decades of struggle he has spearheaded with passion.
And last but not least, we want to thank the office of Senator Tim Kaine for sponsoring our roundtable discussion in the Senate last week on how civil society successfully pressured the US Congress to cut financial and military aid to the Pinochet dictatorship.The panel featured Senator Tom Harkin, Ambassador Juan Gabriel Valdés and Professor of History Emeritus, Steven Volk. Congressman Joaquin Castro gave opening remarks.
A very warm thank you for your attendance and active participation in all these events. We hope you enjoy the little summary we have put together below.
Best wishes to you all,
