2008 Woodie Awards
Honduras Trip Cancelled Due to Terrorist Actions
Martin Walker
Issue date: 1/26/05 Section: News
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This year's first Campus Ministry/Social Action (CMSA) service learning trip, which was headed to Chamelecon, Honduras, has been postponed due to a shooting which took place on Friday
December 24th at 7:30 pm local time. Twenty-eight people, mostly women and children, were
killed in the attack, and another 21 people were wounded.
A bus was delivering people to their homes when a number of cars surrounded it, and forced it to a stop. Men from the cars exited and opened fire on the bus with AK-47 and M-16 assault rifles. The gunmen left a note behind stating that they were protesting the upcoming elections, and the possibility of the death penalty being imposed. The note also stated that they were members of the Cinchonero People's Liberation Movement, a rebel group which most thought to be long disbanded.
This latest act of violence in Honduras was more than enough to have the trip, which was going to leave on January 5th, postponed. "It was decided that we should not travel to Chamelecon at this time due to the social injustices that are taking place." said Michael Brady, the student leader of the trip. "I cannot express my sadness at this decision, but realize that it is the best course of action at this time."
The shooting took place within a few blocks from where the Manhattan College students were supposed to be working. This knowledge and the possible threat of another attack lead the trip leaders to make their decision. "This trip is postponed, not cancelled." stated Kinah Ventura, CMSA advisor to the trip, "We are aiming for going there at the end of the spring semester, I feel this trip is too important to cancel, but not at the risk of the students' safety."
A few of the students, who were looking forward to going to Honduras and helping the people there, were understandably upset. One of the students, Matt Kehoe, said, "Personally, this decision very much upsets me. I am still willing to go to Honduras. We were all aware of the dangers when we signed up." This sentiment was echoed by a few of the others who were also upset with the decision of postponing the trip.
In order to discuss these issues and the future of the trip, a meeting was held on January 5th for all of those involved. "Our Service work for Honduras has only just begun, we will start on an ambitious campaign whereby we will be of constant aid to those who cannot help themselves," said Michael Brady after the meeting.