Note: Our partner organizations, SURCO, A.C., based in Oaxaca, and Otros Mundos,
A.C. have sent out this important announcement of a great opportunity to see first-hand the impact of mining in Southern Mexico and campesino and indigenous resistance. Consider joining! This is certainly one of the most important issues facing our communities and our planet today.
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EDUCATIONAL / SOLIDARITY
DELEGATION TO CHIAPAS & OAXACA,
MEXICO November 17—November 25, 2012
DEFENSE OF INDIGENOUS TERRITORIES: COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, HUMAN RIGHTS & THE ENVIRONMENT Vs. INTERNATIONAL MINING COMPANIES IN CHIAPAS AND OAXACA
CONTEXT: SURCO
(University Services and Knowledge Networks of Oaxaca) and Otros Mundos (Other
Worlds) in Chiapas invite you to join this trip that will investigate human
rights violations and other social, environmental and economic violence caused
by large-scale megadevelopment projects - particularly gold,
silver and barite and mining in Oaxaca and Chiapas.
In
Oaxaca, two activists have been killed recently for their resistance to
Canadian mining operations (see links to more info. below).
Another
anti-mining activist was killed in 2009 in Chiapas, and repression of those
resisting mining and other large-scale "development" business in both
States is ongoing.
These and
other connected events will be explored within the context of resistance to international
and other "development" projects threatening indigenous territories,
and the related dynamics of impunity, corruption, exploitation and poverty, and
lack of justice and democracy.
DELEGATION:
Over 7
days (8 nights) delegation members will meet with indigenous, human
rights, development and environmental activists and experts. The
delegation will have opportunities to hear from people directly affected by
mining projects about the diverse, violent effects of mining in their communities.
The
delegation will also explore recent, hopeful examples of dynamics of resistance
based on ongoing popular education and activism, and forming strategic
alliances with local, national and international social movements.
Participants
will also consider options for effective activism in Canada and the U.S. to
hold international mining companies accountable, and to support Mexican
social movements to promote human rights, social and environmental justice,
cultural preservation and the maintenance of healthy communities.
DATES:
Arriving
in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas on Saturday, November 17; departing from Oaxaca,
Oaxaca on Sunday, November 25. (There are no delegation activities planned
for these dates).
The group
will travel by van and spend several nights visiting: Zapotec communities in
Oaxaca. We will meet with people from San José del Progreso, Oaxaca who have
been actively resisting the Canadian Fortuna Silver mine in their community, as
well as with community activists who have been successful in halting Canadian
mining in their town of Capulálpam de Méndez, Oaxaca and continue unifying neighboring
communities in opposition to proposed gold mining projects in their region. In Chiapas we will meet with Mayan activists
struggling against the human rights and environmental damage caused by the
Blackfire Exploration Ltd. barite mine there.
TRIP COORDINATORS:
The
delegation will be led by Jonathan Treat, SURCO in Oaxaca, and Gustavo Castro,
Otros Mundos in Chiapas. Treat is
Delegation Director for SURCO, a non-profit organization based in Oaxaca,
Mexico that works to promote human and environmental rights, social justice and
through diverse alternative education and community-based projects. In
2006 Treat founded the Oaxaca Solidarity Network (ROSOL), which partnered with
Rights Action to offer emergency human rights delegations during the 2006 conflict
and government repression in Oaxaca, México. Castro
is Director of Otros Mundos, a non-profit organization in Chiapas, Mexico that
promotes human rights and environmental rights through popular education and
national/international activism. He has worked extensively in resistance
to mega-development projects threatening indigenous and other communities in
Chiapas and throughout Mexico.
COST:
U.S. $800
This
covers: 8 nights of hotel; 3 meals a day for 7 days (a few days, there
will only be 2 meals covered); transportation in-country; trip organization,
guiding, translation; honorariums for people and communities we meet with, etc.
(Participants pay for their own travel to and from Mexico.)
FOR WHOM:
Citizens
and activists, professors and educators, and media, health, environment and
legal professionals who are concerned about issues related to: global
exploitation-poverty-"development"; defense of indigenous
territories, government repression; environmental destruction; and about
inspiring and growing community-based, popular movements for equality, justice
and locally controlled development and environmental well-being.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION:
Article,
"Blood for Silver, Blood for Gold", by delegation co-director
Jonathan Treat:http://upsidedownworld.org/main/mexico-archives-79/3545-mexico-blood-for-silver-blood-for-gold
Canada TV
piece on assassinations and Fortuna’s mine in Oaxaca;
https://vimeo.com/39967365 NOTE:
You will need to cut and paste this link into your browser.
Al
Jazeera article, "The Significance of Indigenous Mobilizations": http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/04/2012414153214644564.html
CONTACT
INFORMATION:
Jonathan
Treat: jonathantreat@surcooaxaca.org; [011] 52
951 144 7971
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