Resolution recognizing Cambridge-El Salvador Sister City and the work of San José Las Flores

RES 2026-64 FIRST IN COUNCIL April 13, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER MAYOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR NOLAN VICE MAYOR AZEEM COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR ZUSY WHEREAS: The Cambridge-El Salvador Sister City relationship with San José Las Flores was formalized in March of 1987 to offer protection, material aid and solidarity amidst a US-funded violent war; and WHEREAS: The people of Cambridge have continued the sistering relationship during and after the war through on-going support and communication with the people and elected leaders of Las Flores; and WHEREAS: Cambridge has sustained its sistering solidarity in these 40 years by organizing delegations, welcoming Salvadoran community leaders, and joining Salvadoran activists over the years in campaigns against foreign mining companies and repression of the social movements; and WHEREAS: San José Las Flores has achieved many successes including developing a system of collective ownership of farm land and housing, the creation of cooperatives (cattle, weaving, sewing, dairy, baking. tourism, agriculture) that employ the residents, a health clinic which provides prevention and interventive care to every member of the community, an educational system K-12 with fully accredited teachers, an environmental plan for the full reforestation and protection of natural resources, a thriving church community with a convent and lay leadership and the continued commitment to a consciousness of communal well-being for all peoples and the absence of the gang violence present throughout El Salvador; and WHEREAS: Now is a critical time for a Sister City visit as this thriving community is experiencing several crises including a serious water shortage following many years of draught and government policies that have eliminated municipality governance, removed key financial resources from the rural communities, put in place Draconian surveillance mechanisms and threatened the social stability of the community; and WHEREAS: The popular movements and Salvadoran social organizations supporting the rural communities and human rights and democracy are facing threats to their safety including imprisonment by the government and new monitoring regulations affecting their oversight; and

WHEREAS: In April 2026 an intergenerational bi-lingual Sister City delegation led by Cambridge sister City member Sarah Davila will travel to El Salvador to meet with community and movement leaders in the capitol and spend four days in Las Flores participating in workshops, dialogues and celebrations; and WHEREAS: The delegates have been working with a broad variety of community groups, educators, immigrant rights projects, and neighborhood and municipal organizers in both Cambridge and Somerville to raise funds and awareness of the situation in El Salvador and our local areas; now therefore be it RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council sends a strong message of solidarity to the Community Council of San José Las Flores in recognition for the successes and persistence of the community as well as to the Sister City staff and CRIPDES organizing support; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council particularly recognizes the work of San José Las Flores in creative programming caring for elders as well as promoting health, education and housing for all members of the community, the environmental innovations and work to memorialize the history; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council supports the mission of the April delegation to strengthen the contact between Cambridge and El Salvador and to foster ties between the communities as well as the community-building in our home communities; and be it further RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council welcomes a report back from the delegates upon their return. In City Council April 13, 2026. Adopted as Amended by Affirmative Vote of Nine Members:- Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk