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Action in Response to the Attacks on the Peruvian Amazon and Indigenous People
A coalition of groups met up today at the Peruvian Consulate in San Francisco to voice concerns over human rights and land abuses in Peru.
Rising Tide Bay Area (http://www.risingtideba.net), this week, called for a week of actions in solidarity with Peruvian indigenous communities. They where joined today by Earth First! Roadshow, Amazon Watch, and San Francisco community members inside, and outside, the Peruvian Consulate. Over 30 people converged outside the Peruvian Consulate in San Francisco to amplify their concerns with the Peruvian and US Government’s complacency in protecting indigenous rights. Outside folks held protest and spoke with passer-bys educating them on the current situation in Peru, while inside over 15 people went into the consulate to take their concerns directly to the Consul General of Peru. A local street theater group, People of Color Action Theater, also performed a piece depicting the struggles of the Peruvian people, government corruption and the devastating massacres. There obviously were no commitments made, but in an encouraging report back it was highlighted that the government in Peru is re-engaging in dialog with indigenous communities. It has get to be seen if they will truly act upon these communities demands and whether all communities will be heard. A background of the events is below.
At approximately 5am Friday morning, the Peruvian military police staged a violent raid on a group of indigenous people at a peaceful blockade on a road outside of Bagua, in a remote area of northern Peruvian Amazon. Several thousand Awajun and Wambis indigenous peoples were forcibly dispersed by tear gas and real bullets, among them are confirmed reports of over 150 injured and at least 40 confirmed dead, although the number of dead is likely to continue to grow. Tensions remain high in the area as reports of police attempting to suppress the body count and control hospitals in order to arrest the injured.
The peaceful protests, that have spanned nearly two months with no bloodshed until Fridays aggressive raid, are in response to President Garica’s continued disregard for Indigenous rights that catalyzed with the passage of the recent free trade decrees. Garcia is using these degrees to sign deals with foreign corporations to open the forest to oil, mining, and logging operations. Garcia continues to block open and democratic debate of the decrees as requested by Peru’s congress.
Latest is that the disputed decrees have been temporarily but revoked with the potential for a permanent revocation, pending discussion with indigenous communities.
At approximately 5am Friday morning, the Peruvian military police staged a violent raid on a group of indigenous people at a peaceful blockade on a road outside of Bagua, in a remote area of northern Peruvian Amazon. Several thousand Awajun and Wambis indigenous peoples were forcibly dispersed by tear gas and real bullets, among them are confirmed reports of over 150 injured and at least 40 confirmed dead, although the number of dead is likely to continue to grow. Tensions remain high in the area as reports of police attempting to suppress the body count and control hospitals in order to arrest the injured.
The peaceful protests, that have spanned nearly two months with no bloodshed until Fridays aggressive raid, are in response to President Garica’s continued disregard for Indigenous rights that catalyzed with the passage of the recent free trade decrees. Garcia is using these degrees to sign deals with foreign corporations to open the forest to oil, mining, and logging operations. Garcia continues to block open and democratic debate of the decrees as requested by Peru’s congress.
Latest is that the disputed decrees have been temporarily but revoked with the potential for a permanent revocation, pending discussion with indigenous communities.
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"15 people went into the consulate to take their concerns directly to the Consul General of Peru"
...and? what was discussed? this might seem to be inappropriate. what legitimacy do we have to speak on behalf of the indigenous of peru? seems like a crossing of picket lines to me. what hope do you have in dialoguing with the Peruvian state?
...and? what was discussed? this might seem to be inappropriate. what legitimacy do we have to speak on behalf of the indigenous of peru? seems like a crossing of picket lines to me. what hope do you have in dialoguing with the Peruvian state?
Thanks for posing an important topic, really.
I think it is essential to question, debate and renegotiate perspective and role in activism. For me and this particular event, I believe we walked into the meeting room to show our concerns for what is taking place in Peru, not speaking for them, but showing support and solidarity, as well as to make a certain statement that people all over the world are tuned into what is happening. Just last week, 85 Peruvian protesters were killed. Now, as a resident of the Bay Area, I can bet on having my right to protest secured, so why not use it to highlight a very relevant injustice. I think it would be more alarming if we didn't use our resources to speak out. The whole idea behind international coalition building is to strengthen a voice of resistance, no matter what language.
It would be great to have you come out to an event such as this and get a face-to-face dialogue going! Thanks again!
Hilary
I think it is essential to question, debate and renegotiate perspective and role in activism. For me and this particular event, I believe we walked into the meeting room to show our concerns for what is taking place in Peru, not speaking for them, but showing support and solidarity, as well as to make a certain statement that people all over the world are tuned into what is happening. Just last week, 85 Peruvian protesters were killed. Now, as a resident of the Bay Area, I can bet on having my right to protest secured, so why not use it to highlight a very relevant injustice. I think it would be more alarming if we didn't use our resources to speak out. The whole idea behind international coalition building is to strengthen a voice of resistance, no matter what language.
It would be great to have you come out to an event such as this and get a face-to-face dialogue going! Thanks again!
Hilary
This event was badly publicized. I called AW to see if there was a protest or something planned and they said no, but that they would write to me if there was anything. I kept my ears and eyes peeled and even considered organizing my own. At the last minute, my activist friend sent me the news about this rally but I could not attend. More importantly, I really wanted to help publicize the event but since I did not know about it until the last minute, I could not do anything either.
Did the planners mean to keep this event so small for a particular reason? Many of my Peruvian and Peruvian-American friends wanted to support a protest (similar to the ones that were occurring in other cities like DC, NY, and LA) and were asking around to see if anything was going on.
Did anyone from the Peruvian/Peruvian-American community join the conversation inside the Consulate? I would have wanted to join this.
Did the planners mean to keep this event so small for a particular reason? Many of my Peruvian and Peruvian-American friends wanted to support a protest (similar to the ones that were occurring in other cities like DC, NY, and LA) and were asking around to see if anything was going on.
Did anyone from the Peruvian/Peruvian-American community join the conversation inside the Consulate? I would have wanted to join this.
WE MUST BE THE SPIRITUAL CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE IN CREATOR'S WORLD!
A Native man should always be clean and sober, for he knows there is still more work to do !
Rise with the Sun to pray. Pray alone and pray often. The Great Creator will listen, if you only speak.
From all generations of the past, here now in the present and the unborn generations of the future, the Creator from Sacred Time, Creation Time, First Man and First Woman Time, made all Native People a Holy People.
It is important that we as Native People maintain good self-esteem, self-worth and self-value.
We cannot attack ourselves, beat ourselves up and pound ourselves for crimes we have never committed.
Our Prayer to the Creator represents a different kind a power, a different kind of strength, a different kind of energy.
Stand up with pride when you pray to Creator. Stand with Honor before Creator. Be Proud to be Spiritually alive on the Earth Mother, and thankful and honored to stand before Creator, rather than bowing down like a slave.
All prophecy can be changed. There are things that may happen under the present conditions of our world, but these conditions do not have to stay the way they are, or deteriorate to a more desperate situation.
Native People offer a spiritual solution to the world's problems.
Many people are interested in the message of Native Spirituality because they are aware of the despairing circumstances of our world and the fact that we must all make changes in order to survive globally.
We offer people hope for a peaceful world by sharing our Spiritual paths with them. We are not selling our ceremonies, or our traditions; we are sharing wisdom.
With Creator's World Renewal Medicine cycle soon approaching, it is predicted that all First Nation People shall return to our traditional Native ways. Native people will spiritually transform North America back into harmony and balance.
Native and non Native People who walk in the Spiritual ways of the Ancestors will be in control of the Americas.
Native people see the Sun as our Father. The highest of the Earth Mother's energies are in the morning when Father Sun is rising in the East.
Native people know that morning is the best time to pray for as Father Sun rises, we can place all problems and issues into the past. Native people give spiritual thanks daily for the energy and power of Father Sun.
The purest Spiritual medicine in the World of humankind is of course, the Great Creator of All Things, and the blessing of Father Sun when it rises each morning in the East.
When we as Native people pray, it permits us to have the Creator's Blessings of healing and understanding, in turn creates peace and love, and brings the full effect of Creator's harmony and balance to the Earth Mother.
Wado and A-ho, Brothers and Sisters
Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
A Native man should always be clean and sober, for he knows there is still more work to do !
Rise with the Sun to pray. Pray alone and pray often. The Great Creator will listen, if you only speak.
From all generations of the past, here now in the present and the unborn generations of the future, the Creator from Sacred Time, Creation Time, First Man and First Woman Time, made all Native People a Holy People.
It is important that we as Native People maintain good self-esteem, self-worth and self-value.
We cannot attack ourselves, beat ourselves up and pound ourselves for crimes we have never committed.
Our Prayer to the Creator represents a different kind a power, a different kind of strength, a different kind of energy.
Stand up with pride when you pray to Creator. Stand with Honor before Creator. Be Proud to be Spiritually alive on the Earth Mother, and thankful and honored to stand before Creator, rather than bowing down like a slave.
All prophecy can be changed. There are things that may happen under the present conditions of our world, but these conditions do not have to stay the way they are, or deteriorate to a more desperate situation.
Native People offer a spiritual solution to the world's problems.
Many people are interested in the message of Native Spirituality because they are aware of the despairing circumstances of our world and the fact that we must all make changes in order to survive globally.
We offer people hope for a peaceful world by sharing our Spiritual paths with them. We are not selling our ceremonies, or our traditions; we are sharing wisdom.
With Creator's World Renewal Medicine cycle soon approaching, it is predicted that all First Nation People shall return to our traditional Native ways. Native people will spiritually transform North America back into harmony and balance.
Native and non Native People who walk in the Spiritual ways of the Ancestors will be in control of the Americas.
Native people see the Sun as our Father. The highest of the Earth Mother's energies are in the morning when Father Sun is rising in the East.
Native people know that morning is the best time to pray for as Father Sun rises, we can place all problems and issues into the past. Native people give spiritual thanks daily for the energy and power of Father Sun.
The purest Spiritual medicine in the World of humankind is of course, the Great Creator of All Things, and the blessing of Father Sun when it rises each morning in the East.
When we as Native people pray, it permits us to have the Creator's Blessings of healing and understanding, in turn creates peace and love, and brings the full effect of Creator's harmony and balance to the Earth Mother.
Wado and A-ho, Brothers and Sisters
Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogspot.com
For more information:
http://www.teachingthevaluesofpeace.blogsp...
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