Editorials in the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times last week called on the Obama Administration to do more to support the return of President Manuel Zelaya.  A resolution opposing the coup in Honduras has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and needs your support.  Take action today to oppose the coup in Honduras and support Honduran unions who are fighting back.

Currently, opponents of the coup in the U.S. should support the Delahunt-McGovern resolution (H.R. 630), which calls for the reinstatement of Manuel Zelaya as President of Honduras and suspension of nonhumanitarian assistance. Take action today to help ensure that the White House uses every means at its disposal to ensure the reinstatement of President Zelaya and the restoration of democracy in Honduras. Urge your representative to condemn the military coup, which has resulted in the reported killing of five people (including a journalist and a trade unionist) and oppression of thousands of peaceful protesters, of whom 180 have been detained and 18 accused of sedition.

Take Action!

One of the biggest backers of the coup has been the Honduran Maquila Association. In the U.S., the American Apparel & Footwear Association joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other industry groups in a July 11 statement opposing efforts to bring U.S. economic pressure to bear on the coup leaders, a position that effectively supports the coup. Leading U.S. apparel firms have so far kept silent on the coup as well as the pro-coup support of the Honduran maquila business sector that produces apparel for brand-name U.S. firms.

The Organization of American States and governments around the world, including the United States, have openly condemned the coup. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the AFL-CIO, SEIU, and U.S. NGOs and faith-based groups, including USLEAP, have respectively issued statements also denouncing the coup. The Obama administration has firmly stated support for democracy in Honduras and the reinstatement of President Zelaya. Both the OAS and the U.S. have put a halt on tens of millions of dollars in aid; the U.S. has primarily suspended military assistance.