Speakers On U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

Speakers from U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities will discuss the situation in El Salvador and the Salvadoran social movement as part of the October Speaking Tour with community leader Esmeralda Villalta. On  Thursday October 10 from  7 p.m. in Room  B-166, they will discuss community organizing strategies and how to show your solidarity with the Salvadoran people as they defend their human and environmental rights.

Libby Pappalardo* started the Crystal Lake Sister City 11 years ago and some of their projects include an ongoing healthcare project, women's sewing cooperative, Youth theater and arts program, children's art class, environment education classes, and road project. In addition, they support the grass roots organization of Cripdes Sur that works directly with communities in the region.

*Esmeralda Villalta* has been working with The Association for the Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES), a grassroots organization made up of over 300 rural communities for the past13 years. Esmeralda is the coordinator of the Cripdes regional team in the department of San Vicente and a member of the CRIPDES national board whose work has focused on training community leaders, natural disaster preparedness and women and youth organizing.

Alexandra Early, Estela Garcia and Tanya Cole are the translators of the  tour and coordinators for the Sister Cities network, which links 17 cities across the U.S. with organized communities in El Salvador as part of a movement of solidarity.