Housing and Land Rights: Lessons Learned and Next StepsThe workshop will link international movements for land and housing with efforts within the United States. Hear what has been happening in Miami, New Orleans, Argentina, South Africa and beyond. We'll provide space for a discussion of what type of support is needed in these struggles and what roles those attending the workshop may be able to play. Additionally, we'll discuss the need for horizontal, transnational relationships between grassroots organizations and movement support organizations.
Also, we'll show a clip regarding the current land struggle in South Africa with words from Wendy Pekeur of Sikule Sonke in the Western Cape.
Panelists:
Cesare Ottolini, Coordinator, International Alliance of Inhabitants
Cacha Cena, land rights activist from Tandil, Argentina
Andrea Oliva, activist and ally from Tandil, Argentina
Max Rameau, Take Back the Land, Miami
Moderator: Anjana Samant, Center for Constitutional Rights
La Vivienda y los Derechos a la Tierra: Lecciones Aprendidas y los Próximos PasosHousing is an essential human right that is often seen by the government as just another commodity. Fortunately, this issue has mobilized many struggles around the world that are fighting for justice and equality on the land issue and beyond. The intent of this workshop is to link international movements for land and housing with domestic efforts within the United States. Also, we hope to explore different models for “movement support.” This panel will feature brief presentations and break out sessions to discuss areas such as 1) direct action in the US 2) legal support and 3) international solidarity work regarding housing and land rights.
Featured panelists: Wendy Pekeur and Sarah Claasen, President and Secretary General of Sikhula Sonke (South Africa), Max Rameau, Take Back the Land (Miami), Meetali Jain (American University) and we are still attempting to identify someone from the MST in Brazil who will be visiting the United States in June.
The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Founded in 1966 by attorneys who represented civil rights movements in the South, CCR is a non-profit legal and educational organization committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.
CCR uses litigation proactively to advance the law in a positive direction, to empower poor communities and communities of color, to guarantee the rights of those with the fewest protections and least access to legal resources, to train the next generation of constitutional and human rights attorneys, and to strengthen the broader movement for constitutional and human rights. Our work began on behalf of civil rights activists, and over the last four decades CCR has lent its expertise and support to virtually every popular movement for social justice.