October 12 (the 517th anniversary of Columbus’ landing in the Western Hemisphere) marked the first day of the Global “Minga”/Mobilization in Defense of Mother Earth and the Peoples, called by the IV Continental Summit of Indigenous Peoples Abya Yala. Rallies, protests and other actions are being carried out around the world in response to the [...]

International Rivers reports that blasting has begun on the first of five several dams slated for Chilean Patagonia:
“The Chilean energy company Colbún, controlled by the Matte Group and partner with Endesa in the HidroAysén mega-project, has initiated blasting at the site on the San Pedro River where they intend to build a 144 MW dam. [...]

A couple of articles reminding us how our struggles can make a real difference for the big picture:
1. Check out this article analyzing some of the connections between the push for expanded liquefied natural gas infrastructure in the United States and the recent massacre of indigenous protesters in Peru. The writer points out how increased [...]

Between 40 and 50 protesters from Earth First! and Cascadia Rising Tide descended on an Oregon Home Depot recently demanding that the company take action to protect Patagonia’s Wild Rivers. The protesters moved around store displays around and hoisted a banner reading, “Dam the Home Depot, Save Chile’s Rivers.”
Home Depot is under pressure from International [...]

Mexican media have reported that plans for La Parota Dam have been placed on hold until 2018. The communities resisting the dam have responded that they will maintain their struggle until the dam is canceled outright.

International Rivers has just published two good articles analyzing the recent massive push for new dams coming out of Chile and the Amazon. They make good reading for anyone wanting to follow these issues.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (a division of the Organization of American States) has ordered Panama to immediately halt all action on three dams planned for the Changuinola River. The dams have been threatening indigenous Ngobe and Naso communities, as well as the World Heritage Site of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve.
The Chan-75 Dam was [...]

Protesters from London Climate Action blockaded the entrance to the Peruvian Embassy in London on June 19, demanding the right to deliver a letter of protest calling for oil and gas companies in the Amazon to suspend their operations until the government agrees to peaceful negotiations with local representatives; for an independent and impartial inquiry [...]

Giving the lie to its earlier claims that it was impossible to repeal the contested decrees that sparked 70 days of protests and blockades throughout the country’s Amazon region, the Peruvian government rescinded two of those laws on June 18th.
The protests started after President Alan Garcia passed 10 laws by presidential decree that would open [...]

June 15th-19th
Rising Tide North America is calling for a week of action starting Monday June 15th to show solidarity with the indigenous tribes resisting Peru’s attempt to open their lands to the oil, gas, and logging industries.
Last week over 85 people were killed by Peruvian police while protesting the governments plans revoke protections for traditional [...]