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In the latest episode of a lengthy saga of repression and resistance, Maya communities demanding to be consulted about a foreign-owned nickel mine in their territories now live under dangerous conditions
Mining activity of the Felix Mine in El Estor, located on Lake Izabal on Guatemala’s Caribbean Coast, continues to make a detrimental impact on the surrounding communities and ecosystems. But when they speak up and mobilize, Maya Q’eqchi members of the community of El Estor face intimidation and surveillance for their work in defense of their ancestral territory against extractivism.
The state has many tools to protect environmental transgressors — including the power to criminalize resistance. Authorities are charging people with “incitement to commit a crime ” allegedly in connection with his participation in a protest that was violently repressed on October 21, 2021. Twelve other arrest warrants related to the rally were issued to members of the Fishermen’s Guild who were involved in the protest last year.
We live in a historical moment marked by grave uncertainty about the fate of our environment and livelihoods. Unfortunately, environmental activists and land defenders on the frontlines like those in El Estor, have been persecuted. In September 2021, Global Witness reported that 227 activists working to protect the environment and the land around the world were killed. In Guatemala, the movement in El Estor reveals that Indigenous peoples are being targeted, arrested, and criminalized for defending our waters, lands, and communities, which is as accurate today as it has been throughout the nation’s violent history.
This is where you can help! Maya Q’eqchi residents in El Estor now face the enormous costs of fighting for their freedom in court. The community of El Estor are in need of support to cover costs related to their movements, such as transportation, food, and other daily living expenses; this support is crucial as their daily livelihoods have been interrupted by the ongoing struggles involved in the defense of their territory.
Thank you for your support,
Mining activity of the Felix Mine in El Estor, located on Lake Izabal on Guatemala’s Caribbean Coast, continues to make a detrimental impact on the surrounding communities and ecosystems. But when they speak up and mobilize, Maya Q’eqchi members of the community of El Estor face intimidation and surveillance for their work in defense of their ancestral territory against extractivism.
The state has many tools to protect environmental transgressors — including the power to criminalize resistance. Authorities are charging people with “incitement to commit a crime ” allegedly in connection with his participation in a protest that was violently repressed on October 21, 2021. Twelve other arrest warrants related to the rally were issued to members of the Fishermen’s Guild who were involved in the protest last year.
We live in a historical moment marked by grave uncertainty about the fate of our environment and livelihoods. Unfortunately, environmental activists and land defenders on the frontlines like those in El Estor, have been persecuted. In September 2021, Global Witness reported that 227 activists working to protect the environment and the land around the world were killed. In Guatemala, the movement in El Estor reveals that Indigenous peoples are being targeted, arrested, and criminalized for defending our waters, lands, and communities, which is as accurate today as it has been throughout the nation’s violent history.
This is where you can help! Maya Q’eqchi residents in El Estor now face the enormous costs of fighting for their freedom in court. The community of El Estor are in need of support to cover costs related to their movements, such as transportation, food, and other daily living expenses; this support is crucial as their daily livelihoods have been interrupted by the ongoing struggles involved in the defense of their territory.
Thank you for your support,
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Español
En el último episodio de una larga saga de represión y resistencia, las comunidades mayas que exigen ser consultadas sobre una mina de níquel en sus territorios ahora viven bajo condiciones peligrosas.
Ubicada en el lago Izabal de la costa caribeña de Guatemala, el proyecto minero Fénix en El Estor continúa teniendo un impacto perjudicial en las comunidades y ecosistemas circundantes. Pero cuando alzan la voz y se movilizan, los miembros Maya q’eqchi de El Estor enfrentan intimidación y vigilancia por su trabajo en defensa de su territorio ancestral contra el extractivismo.
El estado tiene muchas herramientas para proteger a los transgresores ambientales, incluido el poder de criminalizar la resistencia. Las autoridades están acusando a las personas de "incitación a delinquir", presuntamente en relación con su participación en una protesta que fue reprimida violentamente el 21 de octubre de 2021. Se emitieron otras doce órdenes de arresto relacionadas con la manifestación contra miembros del Gremio de Pescadores que estaban involucrados en la protesta del año pasado.
Vivimos en un momento histórico marcado por una gran incertidumbre sobre el destino de nuestro medio ambiente y nuestros medios de vida. A medida que se desarrolla la batalla por nuestro planeta, esta ventana a la resistencia también envía un mensaje sobre quién lidera el movimiento global por la justicia ambiental. En septiembre de 2021, Global Witness informó que 227 activistas que trabajaban para proteger el medio ambiente y la tierra fueron asesinados alrededor del mundo. En Guatemala, el incidente en El Estor revela que los pueblos indígenas están siendo atacados, arrestados y criminalizados por defender nuestras aguas, tierras y comunidades, lo cual es tan cierto hoy como lo ha sido a lo largo de la historia violenta del país.
¡Aquí es donde tu ayuda importa! Los residentes Q'eqchi en El Estor ahora enfrentan los enormes costos de luchar por su libertad en los tribunales. Si bien están recibiendo un importante apoyo legal pro bono, un caso de este tipo genera gastos considerables, incluidos gastos de viaje; seguridad para el abogado local; traducción jurídica; impresión, fotocopias y correos apostillados. Los fondos recaudados serán enviados en su totalidad a la Defensoría Q'eqchi.
¡Gracias por tu apoyo!
Organizer
Vaclav Masek
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
