About 50 protesters wearing masks and carrying photos of slain activist Mariano Abarca Roblero greeted Canada’s Governor General Wednesday in San Cristobal de Las Casas, on the last day of her state visit to Mexico.
The protesters were kept about 200 meters from FOMMA, a Mayan women’s collective where Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean watched a play and participated in a roundtable discussion.
There were no clashes between the protestors and the dozen or so riot police guarding the barricade.
The protestors carried signs accusing Canadian company Blackfire of murder and chanted “If Abarca were alive, he’s be here with us” and “Canadian mines get out.”
Afterward, in a statement to media, Jean condemned the assassination of Abarca Roblero, calling the murder unacceptable, inexcusable and deplorable.
“We believe that the justice system here in Mexico will proceed with the enquiry in that case,” Jean said. “We will be following this situation closely with the firm hope and conviction that justice will be served.”
At a press conference held that morning at local NGO Otros Mundos Chiapas, organizers and residents of Chicomuselo called for a complete withdrawal by the Canadian company, which has a barite mine near Chicomuselo that was temporarily shut down on Monday.
Two residents of Chicomuselo said they have received threats since Abarca Roblero’s death and do not feel safe in their community.
For more information (in Spanish):
– Condena gobernadora de Canadá asesinato de activista en Chiapas (Jornada, 10 de diciembre de 2009)
– De visista en Chiapas gobernadora general (Cuarto Poder, 10 de diciembre de 2009)
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