More than 2000 persons from 20 municipalities of Chiapas as well as other states in the Republic and abroad protested in the Frontera Comalapa muncipality at the close of the “Chiapan Meeting in Unity against the Extractive Mining Model” which was held from 26 to 28 November in this municipality. During the march, protestors demanded that the state and federal governments suspend 120 mining concessions that have been awarded since 2000, as well as the exit of these firms from the state of Chiapas. Similarly, they demanded justice for the murder of Mariano Abarco, an anti-mining leader who was murdered on 27 November 2009 in Chicomuselo.
In the final declaration of the event, participants called for the “the strengthening in unity among the movements and organizations against the Extractive Mining Model. Mining is a problem that affects all peoples, without regard for party affiliation, ideological views, organizational belonging, or religion.” They also warned about “the situation of violence in the state, where there is the presence of concessions and large mining interests, as in Venustiano Carranza. We reject acts of violence, harassment, and repression on the part of the state, municipal, judicial, and sectorial police, as well as the AFI [Federal Agency for Investigation], against the people of Venustiano Carranza.”
For more information (in English):
MARCHA y DECLARATORIA del Encuentro Chiapaneco en Unidad contra el Modelo Extractivo Minero 2012 (Otros Mundos)
Ambientalistas protestan contra actividad minera en Chiapas (El Universal, 28 de noviembre de 2012)
Exigen campesinos de Chiapas cancelar minas que operan a cielo abierto (Proceso, 29 de noviembre de 2012)
Para más información de SIPAZ:
Chiapas: Second Forum “For the Defense of Our Mother Earth and Land; Yes to Life, No to Mining Devastation” (21 September 2012)
Mexico: “Mined land, the defense of the rights of communities and of the environment” (14 December 2011)
Chiapas: Death-threats directed against the Chicomuselo parish (13 October 2010)
Chiapas: the Peace Network presents report on Chiapas’ border zone(13 October 2010)
Chiapas: Canadian delegation investigates mining abuses (2 April 2010)
Chiapas: Anti-mining activist Mariano Abarca killed (1 December 2009)
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