Grabbing Power: The New Struggles for Land, Food and Democracy in Northern Honduras

Local author Tanya Kerssen, a researcher for Food First, will introduce her new book, Grabbing Power: The New Struggles for Land, Food and Democracy in Northern Honduras. The presentation will be held on Friday, February 22, 7:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 9 Ross Valley Drive (at Fourth Street), San Rafael.

The book describes the powerful Resistance Movement that has emerged in Honduras since the 2009 US-backed coup. A handful of elite businessmen have waged a war on peasants in the Aguán Valley to expand their massive oil palm plantations. Between September 2009 and August 2012, 53 peasants were murdered in the context of the Aguán agrarian conflict—with many more injured, kidnapped, illegally detained, forcibly evicted, tortured and sexually assaulted. Many Aguán peasants and activists now place the death toll at over 60. The book shows how the power of these elites is bolstered by international aid, “green” capitalism, a corrupt media, and US-funded militarization in the name of a tragic War on Drugs.

Tanya Kerssen analyzes the root causes of hunger and works to amplify the voices of social movements fighting to transform the global food system. She writes and teaches on the political economy of food, agriculture and peasant resistance, and is engaged in solidarity work in support of Honduran land and democracy movements.
. This event is sponsored by the Task Force on the Americas. A $5-10 donation is suggested. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. The venue is wheelchair accessible. For information, please call 415/924-3227 or go to http://www.mitfamericas.org.