International Day Of Mine Awareness And Assistance In Mine Action (VIDEO)

The United Nations declared April 4th as the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

The video above is part of a campaign called, "Lend Your Leg" ("Remángate" in Spanish) which calls for civilians to roll up their pant leg in a symbolic act to support victims of anti-personnel mines and in protest against these undercover mines.

Anti-personnel landmines are victim-activated explosives. Completely indiscriminate, they lie dormant for years and even decades under, on or near the ground until a person or animal triggers them.

The campaign was originally created by the Colombian non-profit Arcángeles. The UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon, Colombian rockstar Juanes and other international leaders and celebrities have joined forces on this campaign.

Juanes has been at the forefront in the battle against anti-personnel mines. He established "Fundacion Mi Sangre" ("Mi Sangre Foundation") to assist victims.

Colombia is the second country in the world with the most anti-personnel mines. There were 9,704 landmine victims in Colombia from 1990 to 2012. In 2012 alone, approximately 40 people have been victims of landminnes.

Worldwide, there are 79 countries with landmine problems and unexploited ordinance.

So, roll up your pants y Remángate!

Other Latino Celebrity Activists:

Loading Slideshow

• Juanes

  Since starting his solo career in 2000, Juanes has been active in humanitarian causes in his native Colombia. He founded the organization, <a href="http://www.fundacionmisangre.org/" target="_hplink">Fundacion Mi Sangre</a>, which works with underprivileged Colombian children through the Educacion Para La Paz (Education For Peace Program). But he has said his most passionate cause is his work with <a href="http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1572-juanes" target="_hplink"> victims of anti-personnel mines. </a> <a href="http://fundacionmisangre.org/el-impacto.html" target="_hplink">By 2010, Juanes' foundation had helped more than 1,500 victims of anti-personnel mines. In addition, more than 46,000 children received assistance from the Education For Peace Program. </a> This picture was taken at <a href="http://insightcrime.org/investigations/insight-exclusives/item/906-medellins-turbulent-comuna-13" target="_hplink">Comuna 13 </a> a shantytown in Medellin, Colombia, during a concert for International Peace Day in September 2010.

• Eva Longoria

  As Gabrielle Solis in ABC's Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria plays a shallow, money-driven housewife with little time for anyone but herself and her friends on Wisteria Lane. But that portrayal is far removed from the real-life Longoria, <a href="http://www.almaawards.com/" target="_hplink">the ALMA award</a> producer who has dedicated a big part of her time to charitable causes. A recent project, "Padres Contra El Cancer" ("Parents Against Cancer"), is a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life of Latino children with cancer and their families. <a href="http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/64-eva-longoria" target="_hplink"> Longoria was awarded the "Latina Visionary and Community Empowerment Award" for her contributions at the 21st National Hispanic Women's Conference, the Hispanic Women's Corporation.</a> In 2011, Longoria <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/17/eva-longoria-on-producing-new-documentary-the-harvest-la-cosecha_n_1016377.html" target="_hplink">co-produced The Harvest / La Cosecha</a>, a documentary which shines a light on the terrible conditions facing migrant worker children and hopes to encourage passage of <a href="http://www.hrw.org/support-care" target="_hplink">The Children's Act for Responsible Employment (CARE Act)</a>. This picture was taken at the Padres Contra El Cancer annual gala at The Hollywood Palladium in 2010.

• Rosario Dawson

  Rosario Dawson is co-founder of Voto Latino,<a href="http://www.votolatino.org/about/" target="_hplink"> a dynamic and growing non-partisan organization with civic engagement campaigns that have reached 55 million Latino households nationwide. Voto Latino is dedicated to bringing new and diverse voices into the political process by engaging youth, media, technology and celebrities to promote positive change. </a> But Dawson's philanthropic work extends beyond Latinos. The actress has taken part in<a href="http://www.stayclose.org/" target="_hplink">"Stay Close," </a>a campaign to encourage parents, families, and friends to remain close to lesbians, gays and bisexual people in their lives. Dawson also did a reading at the 2011 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K77tim5VsJY" target="_hplink">"Any One of Us: Words From Prison"</a> event, <a href="http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/500-rosario-dawson" target="_hplink">where performers used words and song to highlight the connection between violence against women and incarceration.</a> The picture above was taken during Dawson's runway walk at Fashion For Relief on May 2011. All proceeds went to victims of the earthquake that struck Japan on March 2011.

• George Lopez

  George Lopez is best known for comedy, but when it comes to philanthropic causes the Mexican-American TV host is extremely serious. Lopez was one of the first celebrities to lend a hand after a massive earthquake struck Haiti in 2010. He threw a benefit concert <a href="http://mylatinovoice.com/music-and-arts/46-tv/1525-george-lopez-helping-haiti-watch-live.html" target="_hplink">"Help Haiti With George Lopez" </a> with various musicians and comedians. All the proceeds from the event went to the earthquake victims. Lopez also founded <a href="http://thelopezfoundation.org/" target="_hplink">The Lopez Foundation</a>, which seeks to "create positive change" for underprivileged children and families facing health and educational challenges. <a href="http://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/newsitemArchive.cfm?id=270" target="_hplink">In addition, Lopez has been a spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation</a> since his wife donated a kidney after Lopez required a transplant in 2005. This picture was taken at the 2011 ALMA award ceremony hosted by Lopez.

• Shakira

  Known mainly for dancing and musical talent, the Colombian singer Shakira was recently honored as <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/10/shakira-person-of-the-year_n_1085914.html" target="_hplink">2011 Person Of The Year by the Latin Recording Academy. </a> The award took into account not only her musical accomplishment but also her worldwide humanitarian efforts, including her leadership of the <a href="http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/" target="_hplink">Pies Descalzos Foundation, </a>which opens educational opportunities to underprivileged children in Colombia. <a href="http://www.fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/en/who-we-are.html" target="_hplink">The foundation opened five schools in different regions of the country, serving more than 4,000 children with educational, nutritional and psychological support. </a> <a href="http://www.unicef.org/people/people_58988.html" target="_hplink">Shakira also has worked as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador</a>. In this picture, she sits with a woman to learn how women process rice grains in Modhu Shudanpur village of the Rajshahi district in Bangladesh. As a UNICEF ambassador, Shakira toured coastal villages of the South Asian nation that were affected by the November 2007 cyclone.

• Enrique Iglesias

  The Spanish pop music singer is an impassioned advocate of environmental causes. He was part of the 2007 Live Earth concert to raise awareness about environmental issues. Iglesias has said that he participated in Live Earth after watching <a href="http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/567-enrique-iglesias" target="_hplink">"the documentary [An Inconvenient Truth] and wanted to get involved, so I had my manager make some calls". </a> Iglesias has also supported <a href="http://www.habitat.org/default.aspx?tgs=MTEvMTUvMjAxMSAzOjE4OjAwIFBN" target="_hplink">Habitat For Humanity</a>,<a href="http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/" target="_hplink"> Help for Heroes</a> and the <a href="http://www.mda.org/" target="_hplink">Muscular Dystrophy Association</a>. This picture was taken at the Latin GRAMMY Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Nov. 11.

• Jennifer Lopez

  The New York native of Puerto Rican descent is an avid supporter of charitable causes, especially helping sick children. In 2009 she received the "Mother's Who Make A Difference" award from Love Our Children USA, <a href="http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/" target="_hplink"> a national nonprofit group.</a> In 2010, JLo helped raise $6.7 million for AIDS Research at a gala she co-hosted in France during the Cannes Film Festival. This picture was taken at the "Noche de Ninos Gala" benefiting Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Lopez was invited after her launch of <a href="http://www.looktothestars.org/news/4606-jennifer-lopez-launches-new-charity" target="_hplink">The Maribel Foundation, a charity named after Marc Anthony's sister, who died of a brain tumor. The charity allows specialists in LA hospitals to treat children around the world using telecommunication technology.</a>

• Adriana Lima

  The Victoria's Secret Angel and world-renowned super model, Adriana Lima, dedicates her time to helping the needy in Brazil. In her native city of Salvador, Bahia, <a href="http://www.superiorpics.com/adriana_lima/interview.html" target="_hplink">she helped construct and expand the city's orphanage Caminhos da Luz (Ways of Light.) </a> She also helps buy clothes for impoverished children in Bahia.

• Calle 13

  Calle 13 has created a partnership with UNICEF, MTV Latin America and Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas to launch the global campaign <a href="http://www.mtvexit.org/?lang=en_us" target="_hplink">"MTV EXIT"</a> in Latin America and spanish-speaking communities in the US. "MTX Exit" aims to raise awareness and prevention on exploitation and human trafficking. Frontman Rene Perez directed the documentary <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs2qblN76HA" target="_hplink">"Invisible Slaves"</a> ("Esclavo Invisibles") which follows the story of four victims of human trafficking and exploitation. The subjects talk about how they were first deceived, then abused and how they finally gained freedom. It was shot in Tapachula, Mexico. The documentary was produced by UNICEF.

• Rico Rodriguez

  Rico Rodriguez who plays Manny Delgado, Sofia Vergara's son in Modern Family, recently joined the <a href="http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=6f2c4fc0c19cd210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&vgnextchannel=80b94fc0c19cd210VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD" target="_hplink">"Thanks and Giving"</a> Campaign at the Los Angeles St. Jude Children's Hospital. He raided Kmart's toy department where he stocked up on Christmas gifts for children at the hospital fighting cancer and other deadly diseases.

• Marc Anthony

  Puerto Rican salsa superstar Marc Anthony co-founded The Maestro Cares Foundation with Colombian-born entrepreneur Henry Cárdenas in January 2012. The non-profit foundation aims to help organizations in Latin America that work with disadvantaged children. In August 2012, the singer-songwriter and his foundation, Maestro Cares, hosted a <a href="http://www.maestrocares.org/maestro-cares-raises-over-100000-at-chicago-fundraiser-in-support-of-orphaned-children-in-latin-america" target="_hplink">fundraiser at Chicago's Sofitel Water Tower that raised over $100,000</a> to complete a residence hall and learning facility for over 200 children at Orfanato Niños de Cristo (Children of Christ Orphanage) in the Dominican Republic, according to a communiqué by the foundation.

CHECK OUT OUR SLIDESHOW ON LATINO ACTIVISTS

Loading Slideshow

• Cesar Chavez

  Cesar Chavez, a first generation American of Mexican descent, is remembered as a pivotal figure in the arenas of labor and civil rights. Chavez came from a family of migrant farmers who labored in the fields of California. After experiencing first-hand the hardships of farm workers in the U.S., Chavez took his savings -- <a href="http://www.chavezfoundation.org/_page.php?code=001001000000000" target="_hplink">a total of $1,200</a> -- and founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Under the direction of Chavez, the UFW was able to <a href="http://www.chavezfoundation.org/_page.php?code=001001000000000" target="_hplink">achieve many advancements for farm workers</a>, including negotiating the first union contracts requiring rest periods, toilets in the fields, clean drinking water, hand washing facilities. It won medical benefits for farm workers and the first pension plan for retired farm workers. Amid his concerns for the health of farm workers because of all of the pesticides in use at the time, Chavez went on hunger strikes to protest the use of these chemicals. In 1968, a 25-day hunger strike helped earn <a href="http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=1025" target="_hplink"> better pay and medical benefits for farmers</a>. Chavez's legacy lives through his hard work and example. His rallying cry, "Si Se Puede" ("It Can Be Done"), is still heard at political events around the nation and was <a href="http://swampland.time.com/2008/01/15/obamas_si_se_puede/" target="_hplink">the source of President Obama's 2008 'Yes We Can' motto</a>. Chavez believed that change was possible through hard work, commitment and personal sacrifice. Senator Robert F. Kennedy described Cesar Chavez as <a href="http://www.chavezfoundation.org/_page.php?code=001001000000000" target="_hplink">"one of the heroic figures of our time."</a> Cesar Chavez passed away in 1993.

• Dolores Huerta

  Dolores Huerta, who's originally from New Mexico, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, and then served as the first vice president the United Farm Workers. Raised by her mother in the San Joaquin Valley in California, she helped the family manage a restaurant and hotel which <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolores_Huerta" target="_hplink">sometimes took in migrant farm workers at no charge.</a> Huerta's role as an activist cannot be underestimated. She not only headed negotiations with corporations and landowners which led to improved conditions for farm workers, she also was instrumental in the passage of various laws which directly improved the lives of Latinos in California and across the country. As a fearless advocate for civil rights, Huerta has been <a href="http://www.lasculturas.com/aa/bio/bioDoloresHuerta.htm" target="_hplink">arrested twenty-two times</a>, and was severley beaten by police during a 1988 protest against George H.W. Bush's candidacy for U.S. President. The dozens of prizes Huerta received included the <a href="http://www.nationinstitute.org/puffinnation/index.html" target="_hplink">2002 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship</a>, which recognizes those who've "challenged the status quo through distinctive, courageous, imaginative and socially responsible work of significance."

• Joan Baez

  Joan Baez, the American singer/songwriter and '60's counter-culture leader is of Mexican descent. Her father was born in Puebla, Mexico. Baez is considered an icon of the human rights movements and 1960's activism. She was an active participant in the the civil rights struggle, raised her voice in opposition to the Vietnam War and the death penalty, and has been a passionate supporter of gay rights. She's protested against the war in Iraq and has rallied in favor of environmental causes. Her music has always been charged with social and political messages. Baez was close to other Latino activists. <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/joan-baez/fifty-years-of-joan-baez/1190/" target="_hplink">In 1966, she stood in the fields alongside Cesar Chavez</a> and migrant farm workers striking for fair wages. <a href="http://www.joanbaez.com/chronology.html" target="_hplink">In 1981, Baez did a five-week concert tour in Latin America,</a> where she aimed to collect facts and raise awareness about human rights abuses in the region. Baez has recently spoken out against anti-immigrant rhetoric prevalent in political arena and against the spread of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/03/harsh-immigration-laws_n_1073576.html" target="_hplink">harsh anti-immigration laws</a> in the U.S. She says that "<a href="http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1103/baez_at_70_ever_the_activist_.html" target="_hplink">to be a non-welcoming society just seems bizarre to me</a>." That most Americans citizens wouldn't do the jobs or work under the conditions that immigrant farm laborers are forced to endure.

• Bert Corona

  Humberto Noe "Bert" Corona was an American civil rights leader who's views on politics were shaped from a very young age: his father was a commander during the Mexican Revolution. Corona died at the age of 82 in 2001 and is remembered as a significant figure in civil rights and labor circles; his accomplishments have been <a href="http://www.aztlan.net/bacaccr.htm" target="_hplink">compared with those of Cesar Chavez</a>. In 1938, he joined the charismatic labor organizer Luisa Moreno in the League of Spanish-Speaking People, one of the first national organizations for Mexican Americans, arguing that undocumented workers should be organized rather than deported. "That stance led him to the last great organizing effort of his life, the establishment in 1951 of Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, or National Mexican Brotherhood," <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2001/jan/17/local/me-13397" target="_hplink">according to the LA Times. </a> "Bert saw <em>Mexicanos</em> in the United States, not just as a people suffering racial and national discrimination, but as a working-class community, exploited for their labor," <a href="http://dbacon.igc.org/Portrait/07Corona.htm" target="_hplink">said Nativo Lopez</a>, who helped Corona organize the Hermandad Mexicana. He also helped form the Mexican American Political Association, one of the California's oldest and most influential Latino political organizations. Corona's biggest accomplishment was found in his unparalleled courage, when he stood up to defend the rights of undocumented immigrants <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2001/jan/17/local/me-13397" target="_hplink">at a time few people would talk about them</a>.

• Ruben Salazar

  Rubén Salazar was a journalist of Mexican descent; born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, he later moved to El Paso, Texas. Salazar was one of the best known Latino journalists of his time, influencing the careers and perspectives of many who followed him. "Rubén Salazar really had no equal in American journalism in that he was a Latino working in general circulation media, general audience newspapers, at a time when very few of us were found there", Felix Gutierrez, a journalism professor in Southern California, <a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/31/slain_latino_journalist_ruben_salazar_killed" target="_hplink"> told democracynow.org</a>. Salazar became an important figure in the Chicano Movement in the 60s, chronicling the <a href="http://www.texascivilrightsproject.org/blog/archives/96" target="_hplink">unjust treatment of Chicano activists</a>. As a journalist he was also vocal about other controversial topics of the time, including <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oew-rubenremembered22apr22,0,1707774,full.story#february06" target="_hplink">the Vietnam War, police brutality and corruption</a>. Salazar dies in 1970 while covering the National Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War, a massive antiwar march that drew some 30,000 people to East Los Angeles. He was struck in the head by a tear gas projectile fired by a sheriff's deputy. Such was the stature and influence of Salazar, that despite evidence that his death was caused by "<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/23/local/la-me-ruben-salazar-20110223" target="_hplink">tactical blunders</a>," for over 40 years many have questioned whether it was in fact a conspiracy to silence his inquisitive mind and powerful pen. This is a photograph of "Death of Rubén Salazar," an oil canvas by Frank Romero honoring the journalist's life and condemning his accidental death. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/" target="_hplink">Flickr photo by cliff1066</a>

• Harry Pachon

  Harry Pachon, who died on Nov. 4, 2011, was the son of Colombian immigrants and a scholar-activist who helped advance the cause of Latino immigrants in the United States. Since 1993, Pachon served as President of the <a href="http://www.trpi.org/" target="_hplink">Tomas Rivera Policy Institute</a>, a Latino think tank based at the University of Southern California. As head of the Institute, he drew national attention to Latinos issues, particularly in the areas of bilingual education, immigration and political engagement. "The entire nation -- and especially the 50 million Latinos in the United States -- has lost a true giant in civil rights advocacy," said Thomas A. Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-harry-pachon-20111109,0,2144395.story" target="_hplink">in a statement following the Pachon's passing</a>. Pachon's work was important in highlighting the differences among Latinos and bringing forth the idea that Latinos have diverse and evolving political stances. "Hispanics are up for grabs; they cannot be pigeonholed," he told <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/09/local/la-me-harry-pachon-20111109" target="_hplink">United Press International in 2003, </a> after the Institute published a survey which showed the diversity of Latino voting patterns.

• Raul Yzaguirre

  Raul Yzaguirre was born in the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas to Mexican-American parents at a time of clear prejudice against Latinos, who lived under a curfew and were subjected to lynchings and other violence. A long-time leader in the Hispanic community, Yzaguirre served as President and CEO of the <a href="http://www.nclr.org/index.php/about_us/history/" target="_hplink">National Council of La Raza for 30 years</a>, until 2004. During that time the group grew into the largest Latino advocacy organization in the country, with over 35,000 members and 300 affiliates in over 40 states. Yzaguirre used his national profile to directly engage and challenge the highest reaches of power to advocate for improved conditions and opportunities for Latinos. He <a href="http://www.allgov.com/Official/Yzaguirre_Raul" target="_hplink">took issue with President Carter's immigration proposals</a>, President George H.W. Bush's affirmative action position, and President Clinton's welfare reform law. Yzaguirre is also known for his opposition to groups that called for English to be the official language of the United States. He famously said in 1990, "<a href="http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=2281" target="_hplink">U.S. English is to Hispanics as the Ku Klux Klan is to blacks</a>." In September 2010, Yzaguirre was confirmed as United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. He is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

• Maria Elena Durazo

  Maria Elena Durazo the daughter of Mexican immigrants, graduated from St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, and earned a law degree from the People's College of Law in 1985. For years she worked in the hotel workers union, starting at UNITE -HERE Local 11 in Los Angeles -- leading it to becoming an active and influential political player in southern California -- and culminating as Executive Vice President of UNITE-HERE International. In 2006, she was elected executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. The Federation represents workers in every key industry, including transportation/goods movement, entertainment/media, janitorial and hospitality services, education and construction as well as public sectors and retail. In 2010, she was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mar" target="_hplink">elected as Executive Vice President of the national AFL-CIO Executive Council</a>. During demonstrations in 2011 as part of Occupy LA, Durazo spoke about the importance of labor unions and for workers to be treated with respect. "Men and women have a right to retire with dignity and not have their pensions stolen from them," she said, <a href="http://www.laactivist.com/2011/10/16/%E2%80%98occupiers%E2%80%99-march-through-financial-district/" target="_hplink">according to LA Activist</a>. "Everybody has a right to a good paying job, because we work hard for that job."

Comments

[RayHorsleyConsu]

03:01 PM on 04/04/2012

Removal of these mines was a favorite project of Princess Diana. It has been a problem in many countries for a very long time. It seems to have lost interest since her death. Good to see it being brought back to the consciousness of the public and hopefully will gain world wide support once again.