Russian activists and journalists have survived beatings, arrests and intimidation during our campaign to save one of Moscow’s last old-growth forests from destruction. Our movement to reroute the toll highway that would cut through Khimki Forest has become Russia’s most inspiring and largest activist movements in a long time.

It is about more than just a forest.

We are fighting a legacy of corruption and bribery among government officials, law enforcement and industry that has allowed this project to move forward. Last year, after thousands of citizens protested in Moscow’s center, we won a huge victory when President Dmitry Medvedev temporarily halted construction. One of our lead organizers, Yevgenia Chirikova, is a mother of two who lives in Khimki and who has bravely spearheaded this campaign since 2007 at direct risk to her family’s safety.

Now construction is set to begin again.

As soon as this month, the French multinational construction company Vinci is authorized to begin the first phase of the highway.

This is the best chance for us to stop the project before construction crews arrive. We are turning to you to increase our international support.

Since the Russian government has failed us, we are targeting Vinci, which could make a huge profit from this project. It is the only Western company involved in the construction.

We are asking Vinci to end its involvement in the Moscow to St. Petersburg highway until an alternative route that spares Khimki Forest is selected.

We are also organizing an international week of action from April 24th to April 30th. We hope cities around the world will participate in demonstrations in solidarity. One action you can take to stand up for the environment and human rights in Russia is to support this petition. 

Please sign now. You may also leave a personal message when you sign: http://www.change.org/petitions/save-khimki-forest-stand-with-russias-human-rights-and-environmental-activists

Read this article on high remittance prices on the Business Daily:

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Kenyans+pay+steep+price+to+send+money+home/-/539550/1138266/-/vi99fi/-/

Read the article in Spanish on:

http://www.elcorreo.ca/elcorreo/story.php?story_id=16654

by Kate Ayalogu

Pascal Vuvu is a Nairobi, Kenyan citizen who migrated to Canada on June 12^th, 2006. He has been using remittance services ever since he moved to Canada, taking care of his loved ones back home and sending funds to his Orphaned cousins in Uganda. On average Depending on how much Pascal saves from working, he sends approximately $100.00 CD abroad using services such as Western Union and Money Mart through Canada Post. He is charged $16.00 by Western Union for every $50.00 to $100.00 he sends, not including exchange rates. The cheaper alternative is to use Money Mart, which charges him $10.00 to send $50.00 to $100.00 abroad; however since banks are only found in Urban areas, Pascal must factor in travel expenses (transportation costs) in order for his family to attain the accesses they need to receive the funds.

 According to Pascal, “it’s too expensive for me to send money to my mum because that will mean I have to send money to one of the relatives in Nairobi who will have to travel about 400 kilometers home.” He continues saying that his cousin will have to spend more than what he has spent sending money home.

 “Fare from Nairobi to my rural home area is Kshs. 3000.00 two ways, and sending $50.00 dollars is equivalent to Kshs. 3000.00. For someone to travel or take money to my mum I have to pay for their fare as well which makes it more expensive” He adds that relying on another to pass on these funds to his mother is risky due to theft.

 Pascal could be saving anywhere from $11.00 to $20.00 from remittances were the fees cheaper. This could mean a savings of up to $100.00 a year, if not more, which would contribute to his mother’s, orphaned cousins’, and his safety and security.

 Money regulation is very important for us since we assist in stimulating the economy back home. The money we send assist with either medical services or temporary employment – Pascal Vuvu

This powerful Remittance Justice graphic was done by Uriel Brodsky. 

En Lima, Perú estamos siguiendo la Campaña de Remesas con acciones abiertas a la población en general, para insertar miembros a la organización de diferentes ámbitos y localidades, ya que en las Comunidades donde trabajamos actualmente difícilmente podemos encontrar miembros que reciban envíos de remesas del extranjero. Las familias que la componen, por su bajo nivel de ingresos, no pueden acceder o aspirar a salir fuera del país y menos a trabajar fuera de él, por no contar con visas y recursos para poder pagar sus boletos al extranjero.

Es por eso que Nuestras Acciones consisten en salir a las calles y volantear para invitar a las personas a ser parte de ACORN Peru y unirnos para conseguir el objetivo Principal: 

CONCIENTIZAR A INSTITUCIONES FINANCIERAS EN EL COBRO JUSTO DE REMESAS.

Las Actividades realizadas,

Entrega de Cartas a las entidades Bancarias; de las que estamos esperando respuestas

Volanteo alrededor de los bancos para identificar y motivar a aquellas personas que se identifiquen con la Campaña, para que se afilien a ACORN Peru.

(En los volantes, están los números telefónicos de ACORN. Próximamente esperamos contar con una cuenta electrónica exclusiva para la afiliación de estos miembros, a su vez que podríamos contar que ellos debiten. Según mi apreciación estas personas si contarían con una cuenta o tarjeta bancaria para sostener esta Campaña, a diferencia del miembro Común de ACORN en Perú.

Adjunto,

Fotos para que se hagan una idea de cómo estamos desarrollando esta Campaña.

In Lima, Peru. We are following the campaign of remittances, with actions open to the general population, to insert members into the organization of different areas and localities, as in the communities where we currently can hardly find members receiving shipments and remittances from abroad. Since the families that make up for its low income level does not aspire to reach or leave the country and less to work out of it, for not having visas and resources to pay for their tickets abroad.  That is why our actions are to take to the streets and leaflets to invite people to be part of ACORN and unite to achieve the main objective. Sensitize FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE COLLECTION OF REMITTANCES FAIR.
Based Activities,  Delivery of letters to banks, of which we are waiting for answers Leafleting around the bank to identify and motivate those who identify with the campaign, to join ACORN.
(In the leaflets, are the phone numbers of ACORN, Soon we hope to have an exclusive email account for the affiliation of these members, in turn we could count them and debited), According to my assessment of these people if they would have a account or credit card to support this campaign, unlike the common member of ACORN in Peru.

Deputy photos to give you an idea of how we are developing this
Campaign.

Support letter from CUPW- the Canadian Union of Postal Workers- and it’s President joining our call for remittance regulation at the Provincial and Federal level in Canada.