Nicaragua Network

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012

On the 25th Anniversary of the Death of Ben Linder

By Bryan Moore, Senior Spanish Instructor, University of Oregon

April 28, 2012, marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Ben Linder, a mechanical engineer from Portland, Oregon. In 1983 Ben went to Nicaragua to develop hydroelectric projects that today provide energy to communities, schools, clinics, and farms of campesinos. While working on a small dam in the remote northern region of San José de Bocay, performing the miracle of transforming "water into light", Ben and two other Nicaraguan co-workers, Pablo Rosales and Sergio Hernandez, were killed by Contra forces armed and paid for by the US government. In the midst of the Iran-Contra scandal, the murder of a US citizen made headline news and deepened opposition to US intervention in Nicaragua and other Central American countries.

In 1984, I had the opportunity to meet Ben Linder in Nicaragua while I was at the National University. Like me, Ben was from Oregon. Also like me, he was one of many thousands of young volunteers from the United States and other parts of the world who wanted to witness and contribute to the rebuilding process in Nicaragua following the triumph of the Sandinista Revolution over the repressive Somoza dictatorship. It was a time of amazing hope, dream and struggle; it was a time of unnecessary war, pain and suffering. I firmly believe that along with united world opposition to US intervention, it was our own solidarity movement here, including the Interfaith Sanctuary Movement, the Pledge of Resistance, Witness for Peace, Nicaragua Network, Sister Cities, government and community leaders, unions, students, and many other sectors of American society, that helped stop further escalation of US directed war in Central America.

The Reagan administration ushered in a new Cold War era of "anti-communism" pouring hundreds of millions of dollars and carrying out direct military intervention in Central America. During the first years of the Reagan administration, close to fifty thousand Guatemalan Mayan Indians fell victim to genocide carried out by figures such as Gen. Efrain Rios Montt who today stands trial for crimes against humanity. In El Salvador, the US military directed carpet bombing campaigns against rural civilian populations, including the use of chemical bombs. These campaigns resulted in the death of over 70,000 people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands. In the capital city of San Salvador, the Salvadoran army destroyed the National University and then occupied it from 1980-1985. In Nicaragua, Contra forces organized in US military bases in Honduras and parts of Costa Rica by figures such as John Negroponte and Oliver North carried out acts of terror targeting schools, hospitals, bridges, rural populations, development projects, and development workers. Ben Linder was one of those development workers.

When I met Ben, I was moved, in fact a little jealous, by his enthusiasm as he described the work he was doing and how truly happy he was in Nicaragua. I was intrigued by the simplicity and perfection of his work and the difference it could make in the lives of poor farmers who were trapped in the war zone. Ben and I were both deeply opposed to US policy, yet Ben had a unique ability to rise above hopelessness and dedicate himself to improving the lives of the poor. Ben was not trying to be a hero. He sincerely wanted to make a difference in making the world a better place. If we were to visit Nicaragua today and see the work that Ben started, we would see beautiful results in the form of people working and producing for their families and communities with a great sense of pride, dignity and optimism for the future. Ben would be happy.

This past December, I had the unique privilege to lead a delegation with Chilean artist Ivo Vergara, to paint commemorative murals on the hydroelectric plant in San José de Bocay that was built by Ben's family along with international solidarity support. I was able to see the development and progress that is taking place in the region in large part due to efforts of people like Ben's mother, Elisabeth Linder, who recently established a new technical computing school there. The strength and courage of people like Elisabeth is an inspiration and a great reminder of the power of "solidarity". Similar to "la planta hidroeléctrica" that was built in Ben's name which today provides work and opportunity, efforts such as those by Elisabeth Linder convert negative and violent energy into peaceful and long lasting prosperity. Ben would be proud.

Ben was also a very talented clown, juggler and unicyclist bringing joy to many. Just as he used laughter to mobilize families in children's vaccination campaigns; just as he offered his intellect as an engineer to bring development to remote areas; just as he accompanied the most vulnerable during times of suffering; just as Ben gave his knowledge, energy, humor and love to Nicaragua and the world -- let us follow his example and join together and celebrate the life and mission of Ben Linder.