Save the Daechuri Farmers

To:  World Leaders, Korea & US military leaders

Please Stop The Planned Expansion of Camp Humphreys (K-6)!
Don't steal this land from the farmers of Daechuri!

Due to a United States plan to realign its military bases in Asia, the Daechuri villagers, along with other farming communities near Pyeongtaek, in South Korea, are being forcibly evicted from their land. After a long struggle against the Korean government's attempts to take their homes, the villagers declared Daechuri autonamous and renounced their Korean citizenship in early February.

What follows is some testimony from the people of Daechuri. By reading their own words, I hope you will be moved to learn more about their hardship and struggle. You can find out more about the history of this land, the recent struggle to save it, and this month's violent attacks against the village that have prompted Amnesty International to become involved in our struggle at www.antigizi.or.kr/english and at www.saveptfarmers.org.

"The land is like my child. How can I take money for the land? But they try to take our land. In this struggle, either I'll die or they'll die. I'll fight to the death to protect the land. It's better to die in this stuggle than let them take our land." - a Daechuri mother

"We were kicked out in 1952. The Americans forces forced us to leave so they could expand their base.
Because we weren't leaving, they ripped down the fence. Our outhouses were also destroyed by bulldozers. How could we survive? They threatened our lives. We had no choice but to take down our homes and move to this place." - Villager Kim Suk-Kyung (77) (In 1952, the villagers of Daechuri left their homes empty-handed, save for the rice and flour handed out by the Americans. The base runway at Camp Humphreys, which used to be part of the village, is still referred to by Daechuri villagers as "old Daechuri".)
"We can't leave. We really can't leave. (I remember when) we were starving to death. Our oldest son died at 10. He died without even seeing his father's face (who left to find work). We didn't even have enough money to visit a hospital...it brings me agony (when I think about it). After living on this land (like this), they now tell us to give up our land. If it were you, would you give up this land?" - Villager Won Jung-Ok (61)
"The American base prevented us from using our roads, so we put great effort into making new roads. We also build schools and warehouses (without any help from the government), that's how we lived back then." - Daechuri Villager

Today, all of Daechuri and the surrounding land has been declared government property. According to the National Property Act: [Article 58] "Illegal use of government property will result in 2 years imprisonment and hard labor, or a fine of at least $7,000." For the residents, simply living in their homes, farming their lands, is a crime. "Of course, next years crops are ready. Pepper and rice seed are all prepared. Everything is ready... Even with the decision made [by the government, to declare living on the land illegal], we have struggled and protested up to now. We cannot leave this place.We built a new house thinking we'd live here until we died. We're not afraid." - Villager Bang Seung-Ryul (70)
"We're going to lose, because it's the government. But me, why am I holding on to my stuff like a fool? No matter how weak, I have to do my best to live... I'm just holding on and fighting. I'm holding onto this precious land and I'm not going to say "yes" if (someone) powerful presses down on me." - Villager Lee Sung-Lye (44)
Please, don't let this land become part of a United States military base. Join us in the struggle against the US plan and against the Korean government's actions against its own people.

Thank you,
The Daechuri International Solidarity Collective

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save the Daechuri Farmers Petition to World Leaders, Korea & US military leaders was created by and written by Unity Ilshim (ptfarmerspetition@yahoo.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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