Let's all stand up for Peru and its indigenous people

On June 15 I wrote about the Vancouverites standing up for Peru's indigenous people. Since then, Peru's congress overturned two controversial land laws and Yehude Simon, the Peruvian prime minister, announced his plans to resign in the coming weeks over the incidents of the land laws. In addition, the Peru's President Alan Garcia's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in 18 months.

However, I have not heard much of what has been going on through the mainstream media or social media outlets. Everyone seems to be twittering about repression in Iran however there has been little attention paid to the repression of the indigenous people in Peru. In fact, I am not the only one noticing this occurrence. In her June 24th article article, A fight for the Amazon that should inspire the world, Johann Hari writes:

While the world nervously watches the uprising in Iran, an even more important uprising has been passing unnoticed – yet its outcome will shape your fate, and mine...The uprising In the Amazon is more urgent than Iran's - it will determine the future of the planet

Then we must ask ourselves, why? Well, according to Todd Gordon:

It’s no accident that the Canadian government quickly and sharply condemns some instances of repression, such as that in Iran, while it ignores or tepidly responds to others. If it’s good for Canadian business, then it’s okay. This is imperialist Canada in the developing world: exploit people and their resources to make a buck, and if some repression is required along the way, well so be it. This isn’t just an American act; it’s a Canadian one too, and it’s becoming all too familiar.

Although, I understand Gordon's position, I would not go as far to say its "a Canadian act". Most Canadians respect indigenous cultures, most Canadians are against ecological destruction and most Canadians are against repression of any form. In fact, today three civil society organizations (The Council of Canadians, MiningWatch Canada and Common Frontiers) sent a joint letter to the senate about "the lack of concern shown by senators with the escalating crisis in relations between President Alan Garcia’s government and Indigenous communities from the Amazon area." I think increasing awareness of the situation will propel Vancouverites, Canadians and people around the world to take more notice and stand up against all forms of repression.