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 [...]
Following the success of the first two Mingas (Global Mobilizations in Defense of Mother Earth and the Peoples), American indigenous and social movements and their allies around the world have called a third mobilization for October 12, 2010.
“We the peoples and our territories are one entity,” the 2009 declaration read. “[We resolve] to reject all [...]
Police and some members of the military attempted to stage a coup in Ecuador on Thursday, September 30. Resistance by social movements and the majority of the military appears to have foiled the attempt for now, but the situation remains tense and the threat of a right-wing power grab remains.
For a good overview of a [...]
On July 29, the day that controversial Arizona anti-migrant law SB 1070 (which would require police to check the papers of anyone they “reasonably” suspect to be undocumented) was due to take effect, protesters blockaded the I-19 highway in Tucson, Arizona (more photos available here):
“A blockade of tires covered in tar and broken glass were [...]
On June 5, protesters across Peru commemorated the anniversary of the government’s massacre last year of peaceful indigenous protesters who had blockaded a road in opposition to laws opening the Amazon up for large-scale resource exploitation. The official death toll was 33 (10 indigenous people plus 23 police officers later killed in retaliation), but [...]
Posted in Actions, Globalization, Mining on Oct 19th, 2009
A few more actions from the Minga:
Another anti-mines banner, this one reading “No New Mines on Apache Land! Ya Basta!” was hung in Tucson, AZ on October 16 (this time from the “Snake Bridge” over Broadway Boulevard). It was in opposition to the proposed mine in Superior, Arizona on sacred Apache land.
Also in Tucson, activists [...]
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 [...]
Posted in Actions, Dams, Energy, Globalization, Mining on Jun 22nd, 2009
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 [...]
From Infoshop.org:
In the morning of June 17th 2009, a few people dressed in black blocked the Hanlon Highway at Paisley Road [in Guelph, Ontario] during rush hour.
Fallen trees and branches were pulled across the southbound lanes and two smoke bombs were set off to draw attention to the banner, which was dropped from the railway [...]
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 [...]