Global Voices » Citizen Media

Panama: Silvia Carrera, the Indigenous Leader Who Took on the Government

Betsy Galbreath — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:19:20 +0000

Panamá went through one of the biggest crises it has seen since democracy was restored in 1989 when the indigenous people of Gnobe-Bugle decided to take over the highway on January 31, 2012, protesting mining and construction of hydroelectric facilities in their district. They stayed there until February 5, when national police removed them by force.

The crisis has been alleviated for the moment with an agreement between the indigenous group and the government. Even so, the uncertainty of what could happen if there is hydroelectric construction or mining in these districts is still on the minds of Panamanians.

President Martinelli (@rmartinelli) [es] threatened via his Twitter account that without hydroelectric power, things would become more expensive and the country would become even more impoverished:

El problema con los indigenas es que NO quieren que haya mas hidroelectricas en Panamá. Esto encarece todo y nos emprobrece aun mas

The problem with the indigenous group is that they do NOT want any more hydroelectric plants in Panamá. This makes everything more expensive and makes us even poorer.

In the midst of all of this crisis, one name has emerged as the standard bearer for the indigenous fight. The cacique [translator's note: Taíno word meaning tribal leader or chief] Silvia Carrera who, after becoming the first woman to be elected to this position, has risen up in opposition to the current government's mining plans.

The following video by Orgun Wagua, uploaded to YouTube by laoruguitaecoloca [es] on February 4, shows the cacique spearheading attempts to start a dialog during the conflict:

UNICEF Panamá dedicated a section on its website [es] when Carrera was campaigning for the position which tells us a little about this woman:

Silvia Carrera Concepción nació, fue criada y vive en Alto Laguna, en el corregimiento Cerro Pelado, en el distrito Ñurum de la comarca Ngäbe Buglé, comarca que tiene el mayor índice de mortalidad infantil (55.4%) en el país. A los 12 años se integró al movimiento que lideraba Camilo Ortega, que luchaba porque los ngäbe y los buglé tuvieran su comarca. A sus 13 años alumbró su primer hijo, Bernardo Jiménez Carrera, y a los 18 años dio a luz a Sixto Jiménez Carrera. A los 19 años, se separó de su marido.

La resolución de Silvia Carrera fue trabajar la tierra. Sembraba yuca, ñame, otoe, arroz, frijoles, maíz, para alimentar a sus hijos. Y no dejó de militar en el grupo indígena de Ortega, a sus compromisos ella cargaba con sus hijos. Para esta madre fue prioridad enseñarle a sus muchachos que “es importante luchar por nuestros derechos, pedir que nos respeten”. En aquellas reuniones, dice, su hijo mayor aprendió a ser un joven líder. Bernardo Jiménez Carrera, de 27 años, es comisionado de derechos humanos indígenas y está en segundo año de la licenciatura en derecho y ciencias políticas.

Silvia Carrera Concepción was born, raised and lives in Alto Laguna, municipality of Cerro Pelado, Ñurum district of the Ngäbe Buglé region. This region has the highest infant mortality rate (55.4%) in the country. At the age of 12, she joined the movement led by Camilo Ortega, who was fighting for the ngabe and bugle to have their region [recognized]. At the age of 13, she gave birth to her first son, Bernardo Jiménez Carrera, and at 18 she gave birth to Sixto Jiménez Carrera. At 19, she left her husband.

Silvia Carrera's goal was to work the land. She grew yucca, yam, otoe [root vegetable], rice, beans, and corn to feed her children. And she didn't stop fighting with Ortega's indigenous group, even with the commitments she had to her children. This mother's priority was to teach her boys that “it's important to fight for our rights, insist that they respect us.” It is said that during those meetings, her older son learned to be a youth leader. Bernardo Jiménez Carrera, 27 years old, is an indigenous human rights commissioner and is in his second year working on a degree in law and political science.

The cacique recently opened a Twitter account and continues the fight begun on the highway, through social networks. [all Twitter accounts are in Spanish]. From her account (@CaciqueGeneral) she has sharply criticized Ricardo Martinelli's current leadership with messages in which she calls him a liar:

@rmartinelli es mentiroso nosotros NO queremos Minería, por favor de la cara y no se esconda del pueblo que le dio el voto.

@rmartinelli is a liar. We do NOT want mining, please face us and don't hide from the people who voted for you.

The sympathy of Panamanians seems to have turned in favor of the cacique who has shown herself to be a woman of courage. Vladimir K. Polo (@kendriv) even took an informal poll on the web, putting the cacique up against the president and one of the main presidential candidates. The cacique won:

En la encuesta de hoy ganó la Silvia Carrera Cacique General GB para presidente de la Rep. de Panamá.

In today's poll Silvia Carrera, general cacique, won for president of the Republic of Panamá.

Joel Jonas (@joeljonas16) tweets his applause for the cacique, and his appreciation for the clarity with which she expressed herself compared to Minister of Security Raul Mulino, who has been harshly criticized for his handling of the recent crisis.

APLAUDO a la cacique general #Ngöbe por sus palabras, en 3 minutos se expreso mas claro y directo de lo que lo hizo #Mulino en 3 días

I APPLAUD the general cacique for her words, in 3 minutes she was clearer and more direct than Mulino was in 3 days.

Enrique Sosa T. (@esosatribaldos) thinks, on the other hand, that the cacique is exaggerating things a little by saying that they are not taken into account, and for him the proof is that the cacique is able to get free internet access provided by the state.

En cuantos países una cacique general tiene acceso a internet gratis? Piensen 2 veces antes d decir q no son tomados n cuenta #PANAMA

In how many countries can a general cacique get free internet access? Think twice before saying we aren't taken into account.

On February 8, the cacique gave a speech to the legislative assembly where she lashed out at the president and warned them that if he didn't keep his promises, they would return to the streets. The speech, which was broadcast on the assembly's channel, was seen and admired by a large number of Panamanians.

Luis Carlos Chacon (@lcchacon) devotes a few words of praise for the leader:

Que ejemplo de dignidad, honorabilidad y valentía nos esta dando La Cacique General Silvia Carrera @CaciqueGeneral

What an example of dignity, honor, and courage General Cacique Silvia Carrera is giving us.

Along the same lines, Evelyn Castrejon (@ECastrejonC) comments that the cacique is a real leader:

La Cacique General: Verdadera Líder! Primera vez que pongo el canal de la asamblea!

The general cacique: a real leader! It's the first time I watched the assembly channel!

Paco Gómez Nadal, a Spanish journalist who was repatriated by the current government for his alleged participation in indigenous protests, comments in the blog Otramerica [es] about the importance of this woman's fight:

Carrera no se ha ocultado en ningún momento de los amargos días de represión y hostigamiento. La historia sigue y las mujeres Ngäbe han demostrado en las manifestaciones y en las protestas que han protagonizado desde hace años, en el río Tabasará, en Changuinola, en ciudad de Panamá, que la dignidad es una palabra de género femenino.

Carrera has not at any time hidden from the bitter days of repression and harassment. The story goes on and the women of Ngabe have shown in the demonstrations and protests in which they've been involved for years, at Tabasara River, at Changuinola, at Panama City, that dignity is a word of the feminine gender.

Macedonia: British MEP Tweets His Emergency Landing at Skopje Airport

Filip Stojanovski — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:03:21 +0000

A drama in the air over the Skopje airport received an immediate reflection via Twitter, after a successful emergency landing.

On the night between February 10 and 11, an airplane of the Czech airline CSA first circled for 40 minutes trying to get the dysfunctional flaps to work, and then performed an emergency landing. The pilot managed to stop the plane at the end of the recently extended runway.

Among the passengers were the British Member of the European Parliament Richard Howitt, and the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Popovski. Within the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Howitt serves as the Rapporteur on Macedonia - and he is also an avid Twitterer. He tweeted immediately after the incident:

All now fine but just had emergency landing at Skopje on aircraft whose flaps failed. Told take brace position. Thought could be the end.

Richard Howitt MEP tweeted immediately after touching ground.

…and added some more details:

Emergency landing. Snow on runway. Fire engines lined up. Stewardess said: “pray, pray, pray.” #Czech Airline staff heroes. All OK now.

A report by MIA (a Macedonian state news agency) provided more details:

As the plane was landing, smoke appeared from the tires and the captain managed to stop the aircraft right at the end of the runway.

Howitt later commented:

…I didn't know at time about smoke. Told Foreign Minister: give pilot medal for stopping plane

Quite a few people re-tweeted Howitt's info and wrote to express support and relief. Mallen Baker wrote:

Glad it ended well - nightmare situation that anyone flying would prefer to avoid! Great that everyone safe

Extension of the runway was a part of the deal with the Turkish company TAV, which renovated and manages the airports in Macedonia through a 20-year lease contract.

While the cited flaps malfunction might have nothing to do with the weather, the ongoing Balkan snow storm does affect the air traffic in the region. A few days ago, the Macedonian Army helicopters that were supposed to carry supplies to the cut-off mountain villages could not take off [mk] due to continuous snowfall.

Portugal: Protests Against ACTA

Sara Moreira — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:10:56 +0000

On 11 February 2012, more than 200 cities around the world joined the global protests against ACTA - the proposed multi-national Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement that aims to establish international standards for intellectual property rights enforcement. In Portugal, around 300 people demonstrated on the streets of Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Viseu and Braga, following the calls that had been organized via Facebook.

Kris Haamer summed up the Lisbon event:

‎”ACTA is censorship, a return to dictatorship” was what the group, many in Guy Fawkes masks, were shouting in an Anti-ACTA march in Lisbon center. I would describe it as small and unorganized (perhaps 200 people) with little structure and focus on coherent messaging. Very few people with laptops or iPads, iPhones, etc to share the message and only 1 tv station takin an interest..

"ACTA seems to be a marginal concern in Portugal. Few people mostly the youth". Photo by Kris Haamer on Foursquare (used with permission).

In Porto, although more than one thousand netizens had confirmed on Facebook their intention to participate in the protest, only a few dozen actually concentrated in the Aliados Avenue, in front of the City Hall. Some of the demonstrators came from Braga, as they decided to join forces in just one city in the North, due to low participation there.

Protest in Porto. Photo by Nuno Gomes on G+ (used with permission).

The protest, which was livestreamed on the blog of #AnonymousPortugal, then moved to the entrance of the newspaper Jornal de Notícias, in order to capture the attention of mainstream media, with success.

Protest in Porto. Photo by Nuno Gomes on G+ (used with permission).

In Coimbra, out of 154 confirmations on Facebook, only 21 people joined the demonstration.

Protest in Coimbra. Photo sent by an anonymous (used with permission).

"I had a motto but it was censored." Photo from Coimbra sent by an anonymous (used with permission).

In Viseu only 7 people joined. A new demonstration is scheduled for February 18 in Évora.

Activist on intellectual property issues Maria João Nogueira, wrote on her blog an open letter [pt] to the Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho where she mentions some of the countries that have stepped back from signing the agreement, recalling that:

o Embaixador Português no Japão já assinou a ACTA em nome de Portugal (e ainda não vi o pedido de desculpas), embora, curiosamente, não haja notícia desta assinatura, nem da posição do Governo Português acerca deste “tratado”.

the Portuguese Ambassador in Japan has already signed ACTA in the name of Portugal (and I haven't seen him apologize yet), though, curiously, there is no news about this signature, nor on the position of the Portuguese Government about this “treaty”.

On a different post she mentions a statement from 2010 that was signed by some of the members of the Parliament who “had reservations about the transparency of the process and have expressed doubts regarding the contents of this treaty”. Nogueira shares [pt] a list of the representatives, as well as their emails addresses, and invites readers “to ask the ones who signed if they have already clarified their doubts, and to those who didn't sign it, why they didn't do it, and what's their opinion/position about the subject”.

While the treaty is open for signature until March 31, 2012, Avaaz's world wide petition has already gathered more than 2.1 million signatures in just two weeks.

Bulgaria: Thousands Take Part in Anti-ACTA Protests

Rayna St. — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:03:43 +0000

Hundreds of anti-ACTA protests were scheduled all over Europe for Saturday, Feb. 11.

Bulgaria was no exception.

On Friday, a video [bg] calling for people to stand up against the controversial treaty was posted in the Facebook group Ние казваме “НЕ” на ACTA! / Bulgaria says “NO” to ACTA!.

On Saturday morning, the demonstrations in Bulgaria began, with hundreds gathering in front of the National Cultural Centre in the capital city of Sofia. The crowd rapidly grew, as people were marching towards the political navel of the country. (Indeed, in Sofia, the Cabinet's building, the Parliament and the Presidential palace face each other in the very centre of the capital.)

A huge crowd walking towards the Parliament in Sofia, Bulgaria, during the Feb. 11 anti-ACTA protest. Photo by Ruslan Trad (CC-by-SA 3.0)

Global Voices author Ruslan Trad was live-streaming the protests, along with netizen Asen Genov. A video of the protesters marching ahead, by YouTube user selin4eto, is here.

People were in a great mood, despite the cold (-6°C in Sofia and streets covered with snow). User @kislorot (Anton Georgiev) tweeted [bg]:

Полицията е задържала мъж с 0,5 грама торенти.

The police has arrested a man with 0.5g of torrents.

A nice poster in the middle of the anti-ACTA rally in Sofia. Photo by Ruslan Trad (CC-by-SA 3.0)

According to one of the protesters (@reguligence, Emil A. Georgiev), there were between 5,000 and 10,000 people only in Sofia:

The anti-#ACTA protest in #Sofia went well and peacefull, for the first time in years a number between 5000-10000 gathered. #stopacta

Bulgarian blogger Eneya Worodecky distributed books she could not keep at home due to lack of space. She announced this great initiative - Дарете книга, спрете ACTA/Stop ACTA, share a book [bg] - on her blog:

Можете да дарите книги. Идеята на много компании е, че вие по-скоро сте заели за временно ползване музиката/филмите/сериалите/програмите, които използвате, че не са ваши и не можете да правите с тях каквото прецените. Само че книгите са си ваши. Вие може да ги подарите на когото решите, независимо че според идеите на АСТА това може да се погледне като нарушаване на авторските права.

Затова това, което можете да направите е, съберете книги и ги раздайте. Единственото условие е да напишете на първата страница или да сложите листче защо го правите.

You can donate books. The idea of many companies is that you rather have borrowed for temporary use the music/movies/serials/programs you use, that is they are not yours and you cannot do with them whatever you want to. But the books are yours. You can gift them to whomever you choose, although, according to ACTA's ideas, it can be seen as copyright infringement.

So what you can do is collect books and distribute them. The only condition is to write on the first page or put a piece of paper in why you're doing so.

According to Worodecky, she offered ten books to people in the streets during this morning's demonstration in Sofia, and people were greatly astonished but very happy. She is currently searching for those who got the books offered, to post pictures of them, and she is inviting other people to offer, be it books or anything else they wish to offer.

: “I am searching for people who got books offered today :) Hey, if you are one of them, make a pic and upload it. And you too, offer a book or anything you like. :) (Credit: screenshot by the author)”

Sofia was not the only city to see protests spreading: they took place in 14 other cities and towns in Bulgaria. Plovdiv, the second largest city, saw 400-500 people marching to say “No” to ACTA.

User @ivaylovs reported [bg]:

В Пловдив беше супер. Една жена попита, това протеста за #ACTA ли е? Аз казах - май този е ПРОТИВ. Може да не бяхме 4 хл., а 400, но бяхме.

It was great in Plovdiv. A woman asked: is this the protest for #ACTA? I said: seems like this one is AGAINST. We weren't 4,000, we were only 400, but we were there.

(In the end, it seems there was more like a thousand of them, rather than 400.)

Varna (photos by Valentin Stoykov are here), Pernik, and Burgas also witnessed the demonstrations, despite the cold. A famous Bulgarian writer, screenwriter and politician Lyuben Dilov, Jr. [bg] was one of those who joined the protests in Burgas, stating that the ACTA was harmful for creators, for culture in general and for the society as a whole.

As the demonstrations were taking place, many people - such as @Plamy [bg] - complained about silence in the mainstream media:

Не мога да повярвам, че хората се вдигат да протестират срещу нещо, което има толкова голямо значение за всички, а “МЕДИИТЕ” мълчат като РИБИ

I cannot believe it that people have risen and are protesting against something that is so very important for everyone, but the “MEDIA” are as silent as FISH are.

Indeed, only three online editions talked about the anti-ACTA mobilization. Furthermore, one of the principal TV channels, bTV (formerly owned by Rupert Murdoch), dedicated very little time to the ongoing protest - and were duly criticised and mocked by netizens, such as @LuboAlamanov [bg]:

Хехе, бТВ дават за хурки, но само споменаха, че “в 15 града има протести”. Фън! :)))

Hehe, bTV is telling about distaffs, but only mentioned that “there are protests in 15 towns.” Fun! :)))

In front of the People's Assembly. The writing on the building reads: "Unity makes strength". Photo by Ruslan Trad (CC-by-SA 3.0)

In the end, people were even more motivated to stand against the treaty.

User @yradunchev (Yordan Radunchev) wrote [bg]:

прибрах се. краката ми са ледени, но ми е топло от вътре. толкова много хора не съм очаквал. #ACTA няма да я бъде, ако действаме все така.

Back home. My feet are frozen, but I feel warm inside. I didn't expect so many people. #ACTA won't make it if we all act this way.

User @yovko (Yovko Lambrev) added [bg]:

Има надежда! Никога не съм си представял, че толкова много хора в този кучи студ ще излязат в защита на Интернет! #ACTA #fb

There is hope! I never thought that so many people in this bitchy cold would go out to defend the Internet! #ACTA #fb

On his blog Tabakoff.eu [bg], Dimitar Tabakov swiftly uploaded his pictures from Sofia. At the end of the posting, he pointed out:

Добре щеше да е някой народен представител да излезне и да каже нещо, но уви, толкова им е достойнството.

It would have been good if some MP had come out and said something, but, alas, this is how far their dignity goes.

Indeed, no official declaration has been issued so far. Will the government take into account the people's “NO” - or will they pass over and adopt the unpopular regulation anyway?

And even though much remains to be done, Saturday's mobilization has definitely showed a breach in the Bulgarians' apathy wall.

Uganda: Netizens React To President's Address On Oil

James Propa — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:46:54 +0000

The president of Uganda Yoweeri Kaguta Museveni appeared before parliament on February 10, 2012 to brief the nation about the power shortages and oil exploration in Lake Albert. Museveni announced the discovery of oil in 2006 after many years of exploration.

Museveni defended the government decision to sign oil agreements and grant a further license to Tullow oil despite a Parliamentary resolution against any more oil licenses. He said that the oil agreements are to benefit Uganda. He added that the two licenses given to Tullow Oil Exploration Company were to compensate for the time lost in the oil debate.

Map of oil fields in Lake Albert area in Uganda. Photo courtesy of tullowoil.com.

Immediately after his address, Ugandan netizens started discussing it on various social media platoforms. On Twitter, tweeps used hashtags #Museveni, #OilDebate, #Uganda among others.

@Haggae advised:

@Haggae: Becoz oil prices will soon drop Ugandans shld not delay & miss an opportunity of sellin @ a higher price, really Mr.#Museveni?? #oildebate

He added:

@Haggae: #Museveni's speech was as hollow as only convincing #MPs to avoid what he thinks is a ‘mistake of delayin #oilproductn‘#oildebate, #Uganda

@Loyce09 was pessimistic:

@Loyce09: #Uganda is already a sold property, in a few years citizens will also be sold#oildebate

@RosebellK thought that Uganda as a country will not benefit:

@RosebellK: So Oil co.s will take 74 % + of 26 remaining Kaguta and company will take about 90 % #Uganda will b left with nothing. #oildebate

She told Museveni that 2012 is not 1985 when he was about to take power:

@RosebellK: Kwonka #Museveni Kaguta of #Ugandahas no shame!! #Uganda don't need to hear yo rhetoric of feeling like yo back in 1985. Its 2012 dude!!!

Yoweri Museveni with Ugandan MPS at Parliament. Photo courtesy of ugpulse.com.

@andykristian wanted to know if the oil agreements are valid:

@andykristian: Any lawyers in the house? Did #Museveniand Government break the law in signing oil agreements? Are the signed agreements valid? #OilDebate

He warned of oil curse:

@andykristian: #Museveni, stop manipulating us - #Ugandans. You will bring the Oil Curse on US! Just Leave Government, We Beg You Please!!!#OilDebate

@pmagelah argued that Museveni should have consulted MPs before signing the agreements:

@pmagelah: I find it so problematic the the president ignored parliament, then came 2inform them why, instead of 1st consulting them#OilDebate

@DavidTumusiime asked:

@DavidTumusiime: SO…there was a rush to sign #Tullow oil deal quickly bse…? #oildebate12

@gothrockstar80 urged the government to develop the agricultural sector first:

@gothrockstar80: 80% of Ugandans R in the agricultural industry.We should develop that sector and leave this oil BS #oildebate12#Uganda#oildebate#Tullow

On Facebook, Tugumenawe Athanazius wrote:

Uganda sucks.How cn a prezdent present a report full of mistakes to th nation in parliament n he lso confesses????!!!!!!!!!!

Peru: The Water March Approaches Lima

Kathryn Morgan — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:42:43 +0000

The Water March that set off from Cajamarca on February 1, 2012, continues on. After a warm welcome [es] in La Libertad region and more support [es] from farmers, fishermen and ecologists [es] on passing through Ancash, the March is now approaching Lima.

Meanwhile, various independent journalists and foreign websites are talking about and giving their opinions about the March. For example, El Ciudadano [es], PiensaChile [es] and Mapu Express [es] of Chile, the Agencia Latinoamericana de Información [es], Rebelión [es], Infolatam [es] are all reporting on the March. In Lima, however, some media are revealing [es] alleged political reports that denounce the March organisers as “reds and extremists” and “experts in the mobilisation of masses”.

The following video, uploaded to YouTube by noenhucal on February 5, captures the beginning of the March in the village of Santa, a little before Chimbote.

In the previous post we left the March on its fifth day, leaving [es] Chimbote and headed for [es] the city of Casma and then on to Huarmey. From there they continued on [es] to Paramonga, which now belongs to the Lima region, where they spent the night. On the Chungo y Batán blog they repost photos [es] of the march through Trujillo and Chimbote, as well as the arrival in Casma on Sunday night.

Al promediar las 8 de la noche, llegaron a la provincia de Casma, conocida como la ciudad del eterno sol, hasta cerca de la media noche realizamos una manifestación cultural, también agradeciendo al alcalde que recibió a los marchantes. Al cierre de la presente edición, nos preparamos para salir marchando hasta Paramonga.

At around 8 o'clock in the evening, they arrived in the province of Casma, known as the city of eternal sun. Until about midnight we held a cultural protest and thanked the Mayor for receiving the marchers. On ending this post we are preparing our march to Paramonga.

The Water March in Santa

The Water March in Chimbote

The Water March in Casma

La Misión de Observación (The Observation Mission) issued [es] their report on the fifth day in which they announced, among other things, the motives of the various Ancash collectives that have supported the March:

Almenzor Gómez y Javier Castro, representando a cientos de pescadores de la provincia de Chimbote, explicaron que ven amenazado su trabajo y la biodiversidad de su costa por la inminente presencia de la petrolera Savia Perú (ex –Petrotech) que pretende levantar una plataforma a 20 millas de Chimbote. […] Por su parte, Javier Castro, […] se refirió al gran riesgo que correría el zócalo marino de Áncash, rico en nutrientes y pesca, si se produjera un derrame de petróleo. Los ancashinos concretaron 4 reivindicaciones centrales por las que se unen a la Marcha: intangibilidad de cabeceras de cuenca, prohibición de la minería con cianuro y mercurio, derecho a la consulta de los pueblos y declarar el agua un derecho constitucional.

Almenzor Gómez and Javier Castro, representing hundreds of fishermen from the province of Chimbote, explained that their work and biodiversity on the coast is threatened by the iminent presence of the oil company Savia Perú (formally Petrotech) that intends to build an oil rig 20 miles off the coast of Chimbote. […]. Javier Castro, […] makes reference to the large risk of oil spillage posed to the marine base at Áncash, rich in nutrients and fish. Áncash locals summarized four main demands to go along with the March: Intangibility of the headwaters, prohibition of using cyanide and mercury in mining, the right to consultation with the towns and the declaration of water as a constitutional right.

After staying overnight [es] in Paramonga, the March set off for Pativilca, Barranca and Supe, where the day ended [es]. In the blog Frente de Defensa Ambiental de Cajamarca (Cajamarca Environmental Defence Front) there is a report [es] with photos.

The Water March in Paramonga

The Water March in Pativilca

The Observation Mission issued its report of the day in which it identifies [es] certain problems related to the March that we have mentioned in previous posts.

En torno al rosario de problemas sociales y ambientales, con sus correspondientes conflictos, que van federándose en torno a la Marcha del Agua, la Misión de Observación toma nota de la denuncia de una campaña de descrédito, según los organizadores, con acusaciones de “politización interesada de la Marcha” e incluso “connivencia terrorista de sus dirigentes”; recientemente viene apareciendo la acusación de que “Chile financia la Marcha”, para que las empresas se vayan allá … Los portavoces de la Marcha insistieron en que su objetivo es poner en la agenda nacional la prioridad del derecho al agua desde la movilización no violenta.

Around the miryad of social and environmental problems, with their associated conflicts, which all cluster around the Marcha del Agua, the Observation Mission takes note of a campaign to bring it into disrepute, with accusations of “politicisation of the March” and even “terrorist collusion amongst its leaders”. Recently the accusation that “Chile finances the March” has arisen with the aim that businesses go there… The spokespeople for the March insist that its objective is to make the right to water a priority on the national agenda through non-violent movement.

From Supe the marchers headed for Huaura and then [es] to Huacho, the city where they spent the night. Holding [es] a meeting the next day and spreading its proposals through the city streets. Earlier, in the city of Barranca, the members of the Observation Mission and the Water March met. The Mission's report [es] on the day talks about this meeting, highlighting the motives for the March as explained by its organisers:

Jorge Spelucín, maestro, e integrante de la Comisión Nacional del Agua, suscitó la denuncia del largo proceso de criminalización que los distintos dirigentes sufren, “no queremos que continúe la criminalización de la protesta que impuso el anterior gobierno, los pobres hemos soportado por 20 años la violencia política y social de Yanacocha”, dijo.

Jorge Spelucín, schoolteacher, and member of the National Water Commission, complained of the long process of criminalisation that the different managers suffered. He says “we want the criminalisation of the protest that the previous government imposed to stop. The poor people have put up with the political and social violence of Yanacocha for 20 years”.

On February 8 DLOOCHI uploaded the following YouTube video about the Water March in Huacho:

Meanwhile in Lima the March's sympathisers are already preparing to receive them on Thursday, February 9. The organisers that live in the city are meeting to prepare different activities like “Foro Hídrico: Agua, Minería y Desarrollo en el Perú” [es] (Water Forum: Water, Mining and Development in Perú) that begun on February 8 (here you can access its programme [es]) and the Tribunal Nacional de Justicia Hídrica [es] (National Water Justice Tribunal). “Voluntary work for reception, food, adjustment and National Great Water March marcher registration logistics” have also been announced [es] and organised [es] for their arrival in Lima. The Great Water March blog posts [es]the marching route for Lima and on the Seamos Un Río blog they ask for [es] donations:

Este esfuerzo [la marcha] se está realizando de manera autogestionada y autofinanciada, por lo que nos vemos en la necesidad de apelar a su solidaridad y animo de lucha para ayudarnos a cumplir con las metas trazadas durante los 3 días que nuestros compañeros caminantes de la Gran Marcha Nacional del Agua permanecerán en la ciudad de Lima.

El presupuesto que estamos manejando son para la realizacion de las siguientes actividades: **Albergue y Tribunal Hídrico**, **Foro Hídrico**, **Acto Político Cultural**, **Marcha**, **Comunicación, movilidad**

This effort [the March] is self-managed and self-financed. We see the need to call on your solidarity and to encourage the struggle to help us to achieve the goals that were drawn up during the three days that our fellow marchers on the National Great Water March stayed in the city of Lima.

The proposal that we are managing is for the execution of the follwoing activites: **Hostal and Water Tribunal**, **Water Forum**, **Political Culture Act**, **March**, **Communication mobility**

Freddy Otárola, the Nationalists congressman, has recently issued a controversial statement. He said [es]: “We hope that the ‘Water March' will be a failure”. The Prime-minister, Óscar Valdés, hopes [es] that the “March for water” will show a techincal stance rather than a political one. In the meantime from the city of Puno they have announced [es] that the representatives of the struggle committes and the defence fronts of the regions of Puno, Cusco, Arequipa, Madre de Dios, Moquegua and Tacna, will carry out a march and a protest in support of the Water March.

Finally, in this video filmed in the Fórum Social Mundial [pt] (World Social Forum), held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, between January 24 and 29, they have put together some testimonies and messages from participants expressing their support and solidarity with the Water March.

Post originally published on Juan Arellano's [es] personal blog.

Cuba: Prisoner of 18 Years Released

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:55:57 +0000

“After almost 18 years as a captive in the Castro gulag, Rafael Ibarra Roque on Thursday was released from jail“: Uncommon Sense says that “his release represents a victory for Ibarra, his family and the Cuban opposition.”

Jamaica: Journalist “Mutty” Perkins Dies

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:52:26 +0000

Girl With a Purpose mourns the death of controversial Jamaican journalist and radio talk show host, Wilmott ‘Mutty' Perkins, who passed away this morning, saying: “We hope, ‘Mutty', that Jamaicans will truly be free to understand that Jamaica is for Jamaicans and those who love her and not for those who would abuse politics to destroy her.”

Puerto Rico: Life One Photo a Day

Firuzeh Shokooh Valle — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:47:27 +0000

The artist and producer Jose Marti (@Jose_Marti) has shot one picture a day for the past two years as part of his online project “Fotos de Hoy” (Photos of Today).

He explains:

Dentro de los temas que publico en su mayoría son fotos casuales donde la foto me encuentra a mí en vez de yo buscarla y bien pueden ser fotos de la ciudad, de mi casa o donde quiera que me encuentre por que en realidad lo importante es expresar algo sobre el momento, donde estoy, que estoy haciendo, etc. Ese es el elemento que me ha llevado ha constantemente publicar en Fotos de Hoy, el poder visualmente resumir semanas y diversas experiencias en un compilado accesible por internet.

They are mostly casual photos, where the photograph finds me instead of me looking for the photograph, and they may well be pictures of the city, my home or wherever it finds me because what is really important is to express something about the moment, where I am, what I'm doing, etc.. That is the element that has led me to constantly publish in “Photos of Today,” to be able to visually summarize weeks and diverse experiences that are accessible online.

I have selected some of his pictures of Old San Juan, the colonial city of the capital of San Juan, Puerto Rico (all photos are republished with his permission). You can follow his visual life daily at Fotos de Hoy.

City with a View.

San José Church.

The window.

Beach El Escambrón.

Fort El Morro.

Bar El Batey.

Luna Street.

Barbados: “Insultingly Low” Sentence

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:46:05 +0000

Barbados Free Press publishes a letter from a reader, expressing outrage at the minimun sentence for a man that claimed self-defense in his ex-girlfriend's murder: “At the same time we are all discussing Raul Garcia who got 15 years for his offense. So if this murderer had weed in his possession at the time, he would get more time for the weed than for killing this woman?”

Jamaica: Go Easy on the Guns

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:41:18 +0000

The United States is sending “a donation that comes with a message” to Jamaica, supplying the island's police force with “batons, handcuffs, pepper sprays and equipment belts for approximately 6,500 frontline officers” - which prompts Jamaica Salt to ask: “With a culture of impunity within the police…and in a country which is awash with guns – mainly shipped in boats from – guess where – oh, yes, that’s right the USA, then you tell me what are a few batons going to do?”

Trinidad & Tobago: Implementation Key in DNA Bill

Janine Mendes-Franco — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:35:26 +0000

The TnT River says of the amended DNA Bill, which was recently passed “after a 14 hour sitting of the Senate”: “It is a positive step in the right direction, but this action definitely needs proper planning and stringent execution for continued success.”

Germany, France: Disparities in Policies Regarding the Integration of Foreign Students

Abdoulaye Bah — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:09:41 +0000

Elsa Doladille writes [fr] on the Educators Without Borders blog : ” While the Guéant Bill in France aims at toughening the conditions for foreign students to obtain a work permit, Germany encourages the integration of students from abroad in their workforce.”

France: How Are PACS and Marriage Different?

Laura Charron — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:57:47 +0000

Pierre Vicari [fr] had this to say about the results of a survey [fr] which appeared on the site Lefigaro.fr, “To the ignoramuses who say that PACS and marriage are the same thing: No! A PACS does not provide any of the same rights as marriage! In addition, you intolerant people who do not want equality for all human beings, please tell us why because so far, despite the years that this debate has been going on, nobody has been able to put forth any real arguments.”

Brazil: “We Are All Pinheirinho” Spreads Around the World

Raphael Tsavkko Garcia — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:22:52 +0000

[All the links lead to Portuguese language pages except when otherwise noted.]

Brazilians all over the world, as well as citizens from different countries, have mobilized online and organized protests in various cities like Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Buenos Aires, among others, in support of the community of Pinheirinho. The settlement was recently evicted with extreme violence by the Military Police of São Paulo and the Civil Guard in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, in what became known as the “Massacre of Pinheirinho.”

Teacher Lúcio Flávio de Almeida comments:

Os lutadores e lutadoras do Pinheirinho foram desalojados e vivem uma situação muito difícil, extremamente difícil. No entanto, sua luta, que é nossa luta, continua. Sob certos aspectos, cresce e deve crescer ainda mais.

The fighters of Pinheirinho were displaced and are facing a very difficult situation, extremely difficult. However, their struggle, which is our struggle, continues. In some ways, grows and should grow even more.

The citizens were organized under the motto “We are all Pinheirinho” on Facebook, in blogs and on the streets. The movement, in a letter released by the blog Vi o Mundo, explains:

Pessoas em várias cidades do mundo estão agindo em rede para mostrar sua indignação pelos acontencimentos no Brasil. São brasileiros e pessoas de várias nacionalidades buscando pressionar para que a situação das famílias em Pinheirinho não caia no esquecimento facilmente.

People in many cities around the world are acting as a network to show their indignation by the events in Brazil. They are Brazilians and people of various nationalities seeking to push for the situation of families in Pinheirinho not to be forgotten easily.

Activist Erick Cristiano produced a video with pictures of various events around the world and posted it on YouTube:

“Eu sou do país dos Pinheirinhenses” (I am of the country of the Pinheirinese) is the motto of a group of activists who put out the Tumblr “What is your country?”, which now has dozens of videos of people declaring their solidarity with the people expelled from Pinheirinho like the following uploaded by user engenhoso:

On January 27, a group of Brazilians protested in front of the Brazilian Embassy in Madrid, capital of Spain, with a great banner and a flag of Brazil.

"Solidarity with Pinheirinho. Brazilians in Madrid". Protest in Madrid. Photo by Fábio TQrz, used with permission

The group also released a letter of complaint, in Portuguese and Spanish, questioning the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, and Minister of the Special Secretariat of Human Rights, Maria do Rosário, requesting action regarding the homeless of Pinheirinho.

Protesters talk to the secretary of the embassy after the ambassador refused to receive them. Photo by Fábio TQrz, used with permission

With banners and flags, Brazilians who live in Lisbon, Portugal, protested in front of the Brazilian Consulate in the country on February 2, and walked through the center of Lisbon, but not before delivering a manifesto to the consul, who declared that the government had already announced its position in relation to what happened in Pinheirinho.

Protest in Lisbon. Photo by Soraya Barret, used with permission

On January 31, with temperatures below minus 10 degrees celsius, Brazilians protested in Berlin with a giant banner that read “Wir Sind alle Pinheirinho” and another calling for an end of social hygiene policy in Sao Paulo. The group released [de] a manifesto on the Internet in German. It was also released a video of the demonstration in Berlin.

"We are all Pinheirinho". Photo by Christian Russau, used with permission

"São Paulo: Stop the politics of sanitation". Photo by Christian Russau, used with permission

About 50 Brazilians demonstrated in Paris, capital of France, with several banners in French and Portuguese, on February 4, also in front of the Brazilian Embassy in the country. The French police, however, did not allow the act to last long, driving the protesters of the place, claiming it would be forbidden to take pictures near the embassy. A small group stood in a square nearby.

Protest in Paris. Photo by Dudas Bastos, used with permission

A Facebook group was created where one can read in French, a manifesto in solidarity with Pinheirinho. Daniel Ybarra, on Facebook, announced that the letter sent by the group to the Brazilian Embassy would be sent to the Brazilian government.

Protest in Paris. Photo by Maite Weill, used with permission

Another protest was also held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where at least 30 people engaged in the march from the “Obelisco”, singing all the way.

Protest in Buenos Aires. Photo by Victoria Vajda, used with permission

In Santiago, Chile, at least 20 people concentrated in the Plaza de Los Heroes, where the embassy of Brazil is located. The protest also gathered some Chileans.

In Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, a demonstration took place on January 31 and in Curitiba, a banner of protest was exposed during a football game of the Paranaense Championship.

Photo by Rodrigo Tomazini, used with permission

Filmmaker Pedro Rios Leão ended his hunger strike after 11 days. The activist Alysson Bordi joined him but had to suspend the strike after being referred for medical care in a health clinic on February 7. The activist, however, wrote a manifesto in which he gives the reasons for the end of the strike and asks for support for the cause.

On Sunday the municipal guard of the city of Rio de Janeiro tried to remove the strikers and other activists who were with Pedro:

Pessoal, ontem a guarda municipal gentilmente atendeu a pedidos e chegou para nos remover. Depois de puxar cacetete, ameaçar muito nos agredir, resolveram só nos deixar ao relento. […] Na confusão perdi meu celular e algumas outras coisas. O acampamento ficou desbaratado e os ânimos devastados. No sol, e no pior ponto da greve, eu comecei a passar muito mal.

Guys, yesterday the municipal guard kindly responded to requests to come in and remove us. After pulling clubs and threatening to beat us, they decided to just leave us in the open. In the confusion I lost my phone and some other things. The camp was in disarray and devastated souls. In the sun, and the worst point of the strike, I started to feel ill.

Firefighters and military police officers on the eve of going on strike in the city supported the hunger strike of Pedro, that completed 11 days on Wednesday, February 8, when it came to an end:

11 dias sem sentir gosto nenhum, 12 quilos a menos no meu corpo. Espero que sirva para alguma coisa. Não peço desculpas pelo transtorno. Isso foi só uma tentativa.

11 days now without feeling any taste, 12 kilos less on my body. I hope that works for something. I do not apologize for the inconvenience. That was just an attempt.

Activists support the hunger strike of Pedro Leão. Photo by Pedro Leão, free use.

On February 2, a great act took more than 5,000 people to the streets of São José dos Campos to protest and show solidarity with the residents of Pinheirinho.

Meanwhile, fundraising campaigns are oganized and it is immense the pressure on politicians to take a stand in relation to the disproportionate violence and on the help the evicted families need.