Feature RECORD COURAGE Continued from Page B1 Although help is needed, Simp- son opposes giving Canadian goy- emment aid to Central American governments suspected of human rights abuses. Money from the Canadian government just legitim- izes the abuses, Simpson sug- gested. Human rights abuses also create wealth for army leaders, Simpson said. A military campaign to clear out a supposed guerrilla-infested area often ends with the villagers displaced and government officials seizing the land. In the early 1980s, campaigns against guerrillas in Guatemala killed 85,000 people and wiped out over 300 villages. “It was a genocidal policy that worked,” Simpson said, adding that there is little guerrilla activity in Guatemala. In Guatemala, two per cent of the population now own 67 per cent of the country’s land, Simp- son said. The displaced villages go into the mountains or come to the city, Many survive as scavengers in the city dump. “People have to live like dogs. If they do try to change things, they get shot. The average North Amer- ican cat eats more meat per year than the average Central Ameri- can,” Simpson said. On video tape, Simpson and Smith capture the stories: a man who has lived in the city garbage dump for 23 years; a teenager threatened by death squads after Jeading a demonstration at his school; a villager in an army re-education camp, captured as a guerrilla after she fled to the mountains when her home was destroyed by the army; a man whose mother was killed by a death squad for protesting against the civil patrols. The legality of the civil patrols and the increasing civil rights abuses in Guatemala brought Simpson and Smith to Guatemala as part of a international delega- tion in April. The delegation found human rights abuses were increasing and men coerced to join the sup- posedly voluntary civil patrols. The army controlled patrols require a 24-hour shift from every man aged 16 to 65 as often as twice a month, depending on the local population. Although the patrols are ostensi- bly organized to guard against guerrilla attacks, Simpson said the system also allows the army to control the movement of people within the country since people do not dare leave the area and miss their patrol assignments. The patrols also interfere with the subsistence farming done in the villages. “It’s a very big deal to a peasant farmer who is barely surviving and then has to work a 24-hour shift,’ Simpson said. The commission also investi- gated the deteriorating standard of living for most Guatemalan resi- dents. “People’s standard of living is dropping to a sub-human level.” By contrast, Simpson and Smith also filmed the mansions in the wealthy district, known locally as the Zona Viva or Zone of Life. Swimming pools and satellite dishes are common as is a second home on a nearby lake and a yacht. Simpson describes the military dictatorship as an oligarchy, with the few rich controlling the army and the army controlling the gov- ernment. Increased poverty for the major- ity of Guatemalans has led to increased agitation for change resulting in increased repression, Simpson said. Relatively new to Guatemala are the death squads, operating out of unmarked vans and ostensibly not connected to the government, who atlack those agitating for change. Yellow ribbons scattered throughout Guatemala City mark the places where death squad vic- tims were abducted. People risk their lives engaging in such pro- - tests and in talking to the commis- sion, Simpson said. ‘People’s standard of living is dropping to a sub-human level’ Although the right to strike is enshrined in the Guatemalan con- Stitution, efforts to organize wor- kers or demonstrations have been broken up by troops carrying machine guns. “The elections are a joke,” Simpson observed. Although the people he inter- views Often fear reprisals, Simpson does not see himself as a potential target. “T have a white skin and I live in Canada and I have a Canadian passport,” he said. Simpson and Smith first went to Guatemala on a visit in 1986. They visited again in 1989 and returned in January 1990 to film a documentary on the environmen- tal degradation of the country: Entitled Burning Rivers, the documentary is typical of the environmental, sustainable devel- opment and human rights issues tackled by their three-year-old video production company, Varia- tions on a Wave. After filming Burning Rivers, they visited Canadian lawyer Gra- ham Russell, a CUSO volunteer, in Costa Rica and were invited to retum to Guatemala as part of the human rights delegation. The delegation was sponsored by the Central American human rights commission. Simpson hopes the videotapes will reveal the human rights and don't know which way to turn, call the LTD You'll be glad you aid. |) hostesses at: 4 (Sidney & North Saanich) Theresa Thom 656-7746 Claudia Parfitt 656-7898 (Brentwood & Central Saanich) Bev Bigam 652-5452 ) ~Wélome gone Vickey Jackson 652-5689 [§ (Baby Welcome) Fern Gifford 656-8932 Welcome Wagon Answering Service 479-3385 living in Guatemala to other Cana- TheReview Wednesday, July 4,1990 — Eg a aesescnescnnsunnnsnnsaasenssesnecoe ems > FOR SURVIVAL in wit ta SCAVENGING dump is a way of life for Guatemala’s poor, abuses and the low standard of dians. FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH 7820 Central Saanich Rd. GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH © Rev. Stephen Swit a garbage “Canadians don’t realize were involved,” Simpson said. Aid from the Canadian government to the existing regime, he added. many of whom fled to the city fo escape military attacks against guerrillas in the COUNTIYSIOA‘G. MERRAN SMITH photo. the Guatemalan government and corporate investment perpetuate (Reformed Church in Canada) Sunday Worship & Sunday School 10:00 a.m. at Keating Elem. School; 6843 Central Saanich Rd. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” - Jos. 24:15 652-9635] 9:45 @.M......---00-0- Sunday School 11:00 a.m......... Morning Worship 6:30 p.m............ Evening Worship MID WEEK BIBLE STUDIES Pastors Ernie Kratofil and Rob Parker SAANICH PENINSULA - CHRISTADELPHIANS Moose Hall 7925 E. Saanich Rd. Memorial Meeting Church Services ST. MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH SAANICHTON Sunday, July 8th 8:15 A.M. «nce... Holy Communion 10:00 a.m. ............ Morning Prayer Wed. 10:00 a.m. ......Holy Communion Rev. Murray Ames 652-3822 Church 652-1611 Anglican - Espiscopal => Victoria, B.C. V8Y 1S9 ST. ANDREW’S ANGLICAN CHURCH 9686-3rd Street, Sidney WORSHIP AT 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Services (Child Care and Nursery 10 a.m.) 2:00 p.m. TRUTH’ TABERNACLE Pentecostal Church 10345 Bowerbank, Sidney Sundays Where Bible salvation is preached Invites you to be in service with us Call Pastor Gabor Czinger 655-7029 CHURCH 652-2723 11315 a.m. Shake 5 HOME _ 652-4837 479-8643 652-3606 ook of Common Prayer : z ST. STEPHEN’S A Warm Welcome Awaits You At the ANGLICAN CHURCH Py The Elk Lake Baptist Church Mt. Newton X & St. Stephen's Rd. wis _} AGL SOLIS uh UIT ee M bead ae hi July & Eee Seine Eucharist SA 5363 Patricia Bay Highway lake Scene fSoroin no cutee eae ie Rev. Canon Richard Spencer 652-4311 | PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 2295 WEILER AVENUE .@ Sunday School............ 9:15 a.m: Rev. David A. Carnahan Rev. Lorenzo Harrison 656-5322 HOLY TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH W. Saanich and Mills Rd. Sunday Services 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Call for free home Bible studies 656-2721 655-4773 Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever Morning Worship..... ...-. 10:30 a.m. WZ Children's Church............csss00-cssc0;eecseveseeseese 11:00 a.m Sunday Evening SeImvice...........---.:-e1:c-c---0++- 6:30 p.m. NEW 7; PASTORLARRY GESSNER 474-2520 FELLOWSHIP 9925 51H ST. 656-3544 THE REV. D.L. MALINS - 656-3223 BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 2269 Mills Road Morning Worship..........-s2ssesss-sse00+0 K Sunday Evening Services. peel Vacation Bible School.......:.-......... | Ron & Eunice Freeman welcome you to PENINSULA ALLIANCE CHURCH 4th & Mt. Baker, Sidney 656-9957 10:00am Family Worship & A Caring Fellowship for the Whole Family SUNDAY Children’s Church . Pastor: Gerald W. Meller Business 656-5012 Residence 652-4065 Sluggett Memorial FELLOWSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH 7008 W. Saanich Rd. WELCOME TO ST. JOHN’S UNITED CHURCH 9:30 a.m. — Sunday Services 10990 West Saanich, Deep Cove REV. HORI PRATT SAANICHTON BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 2159 Mt. Newton Cross Rd. Communion Service....9:30 a.m. Family Service............. 11:00 a.m. Nursery, Sunday School Youth Groups, Bible Studies Pasior: Rick Stinton 652-6311 656-4730 SUMMER SCHEDULE 9:45 As ercesrctsecsseerterress Family Bible Hour 10:30 a.m. Coffee Hour DO250 ANN eeerevctcsscceseseneees Morning Worship 6:30 P.M. cneceesscssessesnrenes Evening Fellowship SAANICH PENINSULA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Meeting at 9:30 a.m. , Sidney Elementary School _ ST. ELIZABETH’S Roman Catholic Church 40030 Third St., Sidney Shady Creek Brentwood UNITED CHURCH SUMMER SERVICES During July SHADY CREEK UNITED CHURCH 7180 E. Saanich Rd. 10:00 a.m. During August & September 2 BRENTWOOD BAY UNITED CHURCH 7162 W. Saanich Rd. 10:00 a.m. Rev. Don Browne 652-2713 office PLEASE JOIN US IN WORSHIPPING THE LORD! 10:30 a.m. EVERY SUNDAY Full Nursery, Christian Education & Youth 2281 HENRY AVENUE 652-1909 For Worship & Sunday! School Saturday Mass..........--- 5:00 p.m. COME JOIN OUR GROWING FELLOWSHIP é REV. PETER COUTTS 655-3548 Sunday Mass............. 10:30a.m. BRENTWOOD ANGLICAN CHAPEL CEL On 792 Sea Drive, Brentwood Bay Telephone: 652-3860 Roman Gatholic Church 7726 W. Saanich Road Includes “SUPER - CHURCH” for children ages 2 - 11 years! 6:00 p.m, Evening Service Ministries available: os EVERNGHE 652-1909 WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO EVE! 4 F Restor: The Rev. Alistair P Patrie (652-5025) Sunday Mass. ............... be a.m. Youth Pastor: Capt. Stephen Pessah (652-7779) Sunday Mass. ............. 12:30 p.m. SIDNEY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH - ST: PAULS 40364 McDonald Park Rd. Sidney BC. UNITED CHURCH V8L 329 Pastor: David Hauser OF CANADA 10:30 A.M... eee Sunday Moming Service 2410 Malaview Family Worship & Sunday School10:00 a.m. REV. DALE PERKINS $ 656-3213 Home 592-5454 For mid-week services call 656-3712