Dr. Juan Almendares – January 28, 2010 Meeting

[Downwinder]

Dr. Almendares has been a figure in the Honduran social movements since the 1970’s. He told us that he currently has three projects: One is the resistance; second, the environmental struggle against mining companies and multinationals; and the third is the CPTRT, a center for prevention of torture, and denouncing military and police brutality. He also continues to run a medical clinic for the poor.

http://hondurasoye.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/dr-juan-almendares-january-28-2010-meeting/

[Judi Lynn]

1. So good to learn about his background. Glad he is still living up to this point.

They still have death squads operating, I learned last week. He needs to keep a low profile, as he mentioned. The people of Honduras also need him.

His idea of rotating resistance leaders is exceptional. Stupid right-wingers always assume if they can murder the leader, they win control of the people. No reason to sacrifice superior human beings to these sub-human monsters.

Thank you for these comments from Dr. Almendares. Hoping for his well being, and protection from the criminal overlords.

[Peace Patriot]

2. A very interesting and courageous man!

“I am part of the resistance. I trained as medical doctor in Honduras, then went to California in the 1960’s and was inspired by the political thinking that was growing there, including the movement against the war in Viet Nam, Angela Davis, Mario Savio. I then was at the University of Pennsylvania. I returned to Honduras and eventually became the Dean of the Medical School and then Rector of the National University. In the 1980s, many friends and students were killed in repression. While I was at the University, John Negroponte was the U.S ambassador. He decided that I needed to be discharged from the university and I decided to join popular movement. I was condemned to death by the death squads in the 1980’s and I was captured, interrogated and subjected to psychological torture. For four years, I couldn’t practice medicine because I was prohibited by military. So I began to link with communities.” --Dr. Juan Almendares

http://hondurasoye.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/dr-juan-almendares-january-28-2010-meeting/

In addition to praising the courage of the Honduran people, he reminds us of something that not many north Americans know--the prominence of gays and lesbians in the Resistance:

“'I have never seen the courage of my people like this, and the creativity. Women have become very active. In 1980 we were trying to unite artists and intellectuals, it was impossible. Now we have a different consciousness, now they have to recognize strength of struggle is in poor barrios, and with the campesinos. We have to develop consciousness of people and leadership. Society is macho but now we have a gay, lesbian movement; they are being killed because they are very powerful (in the movement).”