Start of the pilgrimage at San Lorenzo Church @ Koman Ilel
On May 15, 2016, the catechists of the parish of Zinacantan called a pilgrimage to protest against the privatization of its water and the dispossession of its spring. Indeed, according to a documentary by the collective Koman Ilel, a privatization project for Zinacantán spring with the aim of installing some hydroelectric plants is threatening the people. Today, the people of Zinacantan have free access to spring water and use pipes to bring water from the spring to their homes. The privatization project will involve collecting a “tax” on water use. “We have never paid tax for water, water belongs to everyone. Whatever your religion, political party or thinking; no one is forbidden to take water from here”, said one of the catechists interviewed.
Catechists of the parish of Zinacantan are organizing to inform the other inhabitants of the town that the water must be defended so that the spring is not privatized.
For more information in Spanish:
Zinacantán se moviliza contra la privatización del agua (El ciudadano, 23 de mayo 2016)
Zinacantán se moviliza contra la privatización del agua (Koman Ilel, 20 de mayo 2016)
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