From GatewaySucks.org:

People’s Assembly and Mass Direct Action! Help Build the Movement for
Climate Justice: Tue. Dec. 7 & Sat. Dec. 11

The World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of
Mother Earth in Cochabamba, Bolivia in April 2010 brought together social movements from all over the world to forge a powerful new movement for Climate Justice.

Heads of government will meet in Cancun November 29 to December 10 for talks about the climate crisis. At the same time, people all over the world will take action against climate crimes like freeway building and to support the “People’s Agreement” created at Cochabamba. It’s time for the people to lead – and to make the leaders follow!

People’s Assembly on Climate Justice
Tuesday December 7, 2010 at 7 pm
SFU Segal Centre (Rooms 1400-1410)
555 W. Hastings St. Vancouver

Mass Direct Action for Climate Justice
Saturday December 11, 2010 at 12 noon
Starting at Waterfront Skytrain Station (Howe Street exit)

Ashanika warriors occupy oil boat May 2009

A documentary is in production tracing the struggle by indigenous Amazonians in Peru to defend their land against infrastructure and other industrial megaprojects, told through the lens of indigenous leader Alberto Pizango:

“Against the backdrop of global recession and climate crisis, When Two Worlds Collide traces the heroic journey of a young indigenous leader. Forced into exile for resisting the sale and commercial exploitation of Amazonian lands, Alberto Pizango’s efforts shed new light on the ferocious battle for the world’s most precious natural resources. Falsely accused of insurrection and sedition by the Peruvian Government, he faces 20-years in prison. After almost a year in exile, Pizango returns to Peru to face trial and discovers himself nominated for presidential candidacy. In the April 2011 elections, he will run as the first Amazonian candidate in history. This feature-length documentary follows the Amazonians in their quest against all odds to save the rainforest and campaign to elect their leader as president of Peru. This extraordinary story reveals the human side of an apocalyptic battle of conflicting visions and political wills working to shape the future of the Amazon’s ecosystem and our world.”

To learn more about the documentary, watch the trailer, or donate to help cover production costs, click here. You can also visit the web site of the film company, Yachaywasi Films.

For more background on the indigenous struggle, see below.

Previous Articles on the Peruvian Amazon:

Peru Update: Continuing Infrastructure Threat to Amazonian Indigenous Nations (July 8, 2010)

Temporary Resolution in Peru Conflict Following Government Reversal (June 19, 2009)

Week of Action in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples in Peru (June 12, 2009)

Upcoming Peru Solidarity Protests (June 10, 2009)

Peru Update: Take Action! (June 7, 2009)

Action Alert: Stop Peruvian Infrastructure Push! (June 5, 2009)

Peruvian Police Murder Indigenous Protesters: Take Action! (June 5, 2009)

Peru Indigenous Holding Strong in Standoff (June 3, 2009)

Peru Indigenous In Standoff With Government (May 22, 2009)

Perenco to Drill for Oil in Territory of Uncontacted Indigenous (January 7, 2009)

Peru Indigenous Issue Oil Ultimatum (October 22, 2008)

Indigenous Victory in Peru! (August 24, 2008)

Temporary Truce in Indigenous Peru Standoff (August 21, 2008)

Peru Declares Martial Law Over Indigenous Protests (August 18, 2008)

Oil Pipeline Shut Down by Ongoing Peru Protests (August 17, 2008)

Indigenous Peruvians Seize Energy Infrastructure (August 12, 2008)

Mesoamerica Resiste Bee

The Beehive Collective has released its long-anticipated poster “The True Cost of Coal,” about mountaintop removal coal mining:

Experience the full poster and read the narrative here, and find behind-the-scenes studio shots in the collective’s Sketchbook and coal campaign blog.

The collective will soon be touring the country to display and distribute the poster and related materials as part of the struggle against mountaintop removal. To book the Beehive on the topic of Mountaintop Removal, Dismantling Monoculture, or Mesoamerica Resiste, visit their tour page.

The Appalachia Rising anti–mountaintop removal convergence will take place in Washington, DC between September 25 and 27. It follows a long history of social action for a just and sustainable Appalachia, coming directly out of the work of organizations in coalfield states. It unites coalfield residents and organizations with national allies from all walks of life.

The first two days will consist of a conference called Voices from the Mountains, and Monday will be a day of action “calling for an end to mountaintop removal strip mining in Appalachia though a vibrant march, rally, and dignified non-violent civil disobedience for those who choose.”

Papagayo River, Mexico

From International Rivers:

“Hundreds of representatives from dam-affected communities, NGOs and other groups across the globe will gather to share experiences, develop collective strategies, create new alliances and strengthen the international movement to protect rivers and human rights.

“This meeting will take place in Temacapulin, a small village in the highlands of Jalisco state threatened by the Zapotillo Dam. We hope organizing this meeting in a dam-affected village will help strengthen relationships amongst dam-affected people and their allies and strengthen the movement to stop the dam.”

Only 300 participants will be accepted, so apply now. Learn more about the meeting and register online here.

Labrador, Canada: Inuu elder and activist Elizabeth Penashue launched a week-long walk along the Mitsa-Shipu (Churchill River) from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Gull Island, in opposition to the proposed Lower Churchill Hydro Project. If built, the two dams would  cause vast environmental devastation and irreparable loss of Innu land, history and culture.

USA: The Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) is holding a weeklong mobilization against the North American and Central American Free Trade Agreements (NAFTA/CAFTA) and against gold mining in El Salvador. Events are planned for Seattle, Olympia, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Washington (DC), Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Find out more information here.

On October 16, the Durango, Colorado chapters of Earth First! and Root Force are presenting the Beehive Design Collective on their True Cost of Coal graphic tour.

London, England: Protests were held at the Colombian, Peruvian and Spanish embassies, the UK Foreign Office and the Department for Energy and Climate change, demanding and end to EU-Latin America free trade agreements and an end to UK agrofuel subsidies.

Melbourne, Australia:  A Latin American Solidarity Network space was launched at Trades Hall. A documentary film night will be held October 15.

Guatemala: Social movements marked the Minga with a nonviolent demonstration. An assassin dressed in  black fired on the crowd, killing a 19-year-old and seriously injuring a 16- and a 65-year-old.

Colombia: More than 25,000 indigenous People have begun to March to the city of Cali to protest for respect for their territory and against the harmful social policies maintained by the Uribe government. The protesters are expecting to arrive on October 16. 115 indigenous councils have ceased ongoing dialogues with the government for the occasion. (For updates, keep an eye on: www.cric-colombia.org, www.onic.org.co). Approximately 2000 Uwa have also begun an “armed strike” in opposition to Ecopetrol, who has been exploiting natural resources from their ancestral sanctuary for the past 13 years.

Paris, France: Social groups have organized a week of solidarity actions for the Minga, including public debates, forums, a one-day festival, and protest rallies in support of Indigenous Peoples.

Argentina: A Global Week of Action against Debt and International Finance Institutions (IFI’s) is running in conjunction with the Minga. Opposing the new agreement between the Government and the International Monetary Fund, participants will be rallying for climate justice (October 13), rural women and the repudiation of debt (15 October), food sovereignty (16 October) and the eradication of poverty (October 17). A memorial was also held on October 11, honoring the martyrs of resistance.

Cuba: A one day event commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Cry of the Excluded was held in Havana.

Bolivia: The First hearing of the International Court of Climate Justice will be running at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba, from October 13 to 17. The event will be transmitted LIVE on the internet. An Assembly of Social Movements will also be held in Cochabamba on the 15th, immediately followed by a Regional Meeting Against Climate Change.

Peru: Delegations from around the country marched to the headquarters of the UN in Lima on October 12, to present a series of demands and proposals by indigenous peoples to stop global warming. This will be followed by 3 days of workshops led by indigenous communities.

Other events, including festivals, workshops, protests, Ceremonies and other actions are taking place in Spain, Ecuador, Uruguay, Brazil, and elsewhere.

Via Campesina has also called for an International Day of Action Against Multinational Corporations for the final day of the Minga: October 16, 2009.

Defenders of the Land, a cross-Canada network of First Nations in land struggle, is also putting together a week of educational events on Indigenous Rights and struggles, from October 25-31, 2009.

More information and reports are available (in Spanish) here.

Got any more action reports or upcoming events? Let us know!

And remember, the mobilization goes through Friday, so there’s still time to plan an action.

The week of action will culminate with a civil disobedience action featuring leading climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, actress Daryl Hannah, Rainforest Action Network Executive Direction Michael Brune and former Representative Ken Hechler.

The week of action was initiated only days after President Obama announced his plans to reform, rather than abolish, mountaintop removal coal mining. The Obama administration approved environmental permits for 42 of the 48 proposed new mountaintop removal mines it has considered so far.

For more information, to get involved or to make donations for bail, visit www.mountainaction.org.

WV dragline banner june 17

For a list of protests outside the American continent, see here. Remember that June 11 is the national strike in Peru. June 16 may be called as a day of action by solidarity activists outside of Peru.

Background on the issue: Peru Update: Take Action! (June 7, 2009)

Thursday, June 11

Miami, FL

MIAMI EMERGENCY PROTEST: END THE KILLING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN PERU!
Not Just a Protest…A Call for South American Solidarity in Miami!

Thursday, June 11
11:00am – 2:00pm
Peruvian Consulate
444 Brickell Ave

Visit their Facebook group.

MIAMI EMERGENCY PROTEST: 3 STEPS

1) PROTEST at the Peruvian Consulate in Miami

2) LETTER endorsed by local activists & organizations will be given to the Consulate General, addressed to Mr. Felipe Ortiz de Zevallos (Peruvian ambassador to the US), criticizing not only the military’s treatment of
indigenous people but also addressing economic root causes and demands related to address those.

3) ORGANIZE & BUILD A POPULAR SOUTH AMERICAN DIASPORA SOLIDARITY by talking to people living in areas heavily populated with South Americans; aim: build new bonds and encourage South Americans who are not typically found in existing activists circles to join a struggle for liberation and justice not only in solidarity on issues in South America but also in solidarity with local housing rights, immigrants rights, and workers rights group here in Miami. After the protest a group will discuss & organize.

The killing of indigenous people in Peru is just one example of the thousands of injustices that have happened in South America. It is time for progressive South Americans to have a more organized voice in Miami to challenge governments funded with U.S. tax dollars that further neoliberalism, state crackdowns, & attacks on marginalized communities. We are not in our countries but we can support our people from here! Let’s do what we can! This may be the beginning of the unity of all progressive & radical South American people. We all share similar injustices, we all suffer from corrupt politicians that continue to feed us bullshit dreams about a better future, and our land has be stolen by transnational corporations and the forces of capitalism with the help of our own governments (and often times with U.S. support!). Let’s stand in solidarity
with the people being killed in Peru but at the same time work together to build a form of progressive solidarity that combats neoliberalism, state crackdowns, & targeting of the indigenous!

Ottawa, ON

OTTAWA SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS IN PERU!
Demonstration and information picket in front of the Peruvian Embassy

Thursday, June 11
11:30am -1:30pm
Peruvian Embassy
130 Albert, between O’Connor and Metcalfe

Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement –Ottawa
ipsmoriseup (dot) net

RSVP to this event on Facebook, and invite your friends.

Washington, DC

Protest in Solidarity with Peru’s Indigenous Peoples

Thursday June 11, 2009
3:30 PM EST
In front of the Peruvian Embassy
1700 Massachusetts Ave., N.W

Join us to show your support for human rights and help us demand an end to U.S. free trade policies that are destroying the livelihood of millions in Peru. Learn more about the event on Facebook.

Friday, June 12

Montréal, QC

Demonstration for Life in Bagua

Friday, June 12
12:00 Noon / à midi
Peruvian Consulate
550 Sherbrooke West,
Metro McGill

Manifestation pour la vie à Bagua

Le vendredi 12 juin 2009 à midi
En face du Consulat du Pérou à Montréal
550 Sherbrooke Ouest, métro McGill

Calling all men and women who believe in life, human rights and the rights of nature. We send a strong message to the world from Montreal to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples in Peru are respected and guaranteed, so that crimes do not remain unpunished. The presence of all is essential. Indigenous peoples have the right to defend life and Mother Earth. The forest is not for sale!

Organized by: Action Créative, Société Bolivarienne du Québec, Hands Off Venezuela et Mohawk Traditional Council of Kahnawake

Appel à tous les hommes et toutes les femmes qui croient en la vie, les droits de l’homme et les droits de la nature. Nous envoyons un message foro au monde de Montréal pour que les droits des peuples autochtones au Pérou soient respectés et garantis, afin que les crimes ne restent pas impunis. La présence de tous est essentielle. Les peuples autochtones ont le droit de défendre la vie et la Mére Terre. La forêt ne se vend pas!

Organisée par: Action Créative, Société Bolivarienne du Québec, Hands Off Venezuela et Le Conseil Traditionnel Mohawk de Kahnawake.

Healing the Earth

Rabble.ca

We talked about the Root Force analysis and strategy, how infrastructure projects are interconnected, how to oppose infrastruture in the climate of  “economic stimulus,” and more. Check it out!

The database currently contains information on companies involved in the expansion of I-69, I-10 and I-95, and we’re told that more information will be added in the coming weeks. There are a few glitches that still need to be ironed out, but the site is fully useable as-is.

To use the site, just enter your zip code to see if there’s a company or institution in your area that is involved in one of the included projects. You can also browse by specific company.

If you have information that you think should be added to the site, send it to rftargetshushmail (dot) com.

Note that there is no secure connection available to this site; if you want to browse anonymously, use a proxy server such as Tor (if you have your own computer) or Anonymouse (for public computers). For more information about Internet security, see here.