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.

Vancouverites Stand Up for Peru

A group that calls itself The Solidarity Coalition For a United Latin America held a rally in from of the Peruvian Embassy today at noon.



According to the group:

On June 5th police officers killed more than 30 and injured many more indigenous protesters in Nagua, Corral Quemado area in Peru. The Peruvian government had recently signed a number of free trade agreements, including with the U.S . and Canada, which opened up the lands of Indigenous Nations in Peru to foreign exploitation. Indigenous people responded with massive peaceful protests which lasted for 56 days before the massacre.

The gathering prompted me to look more into the matter and found out that they are not alone in helping the Peruvian indigenous people. Today Amazon Watch issued a press release along with Washington Office on Latin America, Sierra Club, Oxfam America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Greenpeace USA, Global Witness, Friends of the Earth, Forest Peoples Programme, Environmental Investigation Agency, Environmental Defense Fund, Earthworks, Defenders of Wildlife, Center for International Environmental Law, Bank Information Center, and Amazon Watch defending the rights of the indigenous people.

I wanted to do my part to show my support for those Vancouverites at the Embassy and decided to write a letter to Mr. President Alan García



and also joined a Facebook group that promotes Solidarity with Peru.
I want to thank the The Solidarity Coalition For a United Latin America in Vancouver for making me aware of this incident and all the volunteers who are making others aware of the situation.