PHA-Exchange> KWRU of USA at World Social Forum

[SAULELYDIS at aol.com]

Vea www.kwru para actualizaciones en espanol y fotos.

See www.kwru.org for photographs and full report of the Kensington Welfare 
Rights Union at the International Health Forum and World Social Forum last month 
in India.

After participating in the International Forum for the Defense of People's 
Health, organized by the People's Health Movement 
(http://www.kwru.org/updates/01-15-04a.htm), the KWRU attended the 4th annual World Social Forum in Mumbai, 
India from January 16th - 21st.  Representing the poor of the US, KWRU leaders 
provided testimony throughout the week at various different panels, 
tribunals, and workshops.

At the World Court of Women on US War Crimes, we provided testimony on the
criminalization of those who are poor and of those who fight for the poor here
in the US, the belly of the beast.  Inspired by the World Court testimonies on
US war crimes at home, the KWRU participated in a strategy session later in 
the
week to create a committee to protect democracy in the US.  This international
committee which will include former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, is
proposing to send international delegations to the US to document human rights
violations and monitor our election process.

The KWRU also participated in the Women in Black demonstration while in 
Mumbai. 
Cheri Honkala, spokesperson for the Poor People's Economic Human Rights
Campaign, spoke about the fight against war and for peace both at home and
abroad.

Our stories were shared and strategies exchanged at a housing forum on global
urban poverty early in the week, sponsored by the International Alliance of
Inhabitants and at a session sponsored by the International Network for 
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights as well. We made connections with social 
movement leaders throughout the world, and with figures such as Winnie Mandela, 
Ramsey Clark, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, and former UN General 
Secretary Denis Halliday.

Check www.kwru.org for more details and pictures from the week.