US Corporation Evicts Guatemalan Blockade Against Gold Mine
US Corporation Evicts Guatemalan Blockade Against Gold Mine
By Kelsey-Alford-Jones, Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA
Popular Resistance
Sunday, May 25, 2014
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Local leader Yolanda Oquelí, who suffered an assassination attempt on June 2012 due to
her involvement, warns the Guatemalan government will be held responsible for any
blood spilled. [/font]
Yesterday, after more than two years of non-violent resistance against a gold mine, the communities in resistance of “la Puya” were evicted from their blockade at the entrance to the mine.
Police arrived early in the morning to escort mining company trucks and heavy machinery. By the afternoon, hundreds of police – including many in full riot gear – moved in on the protesters with tear gas and flash bombs, beating those who refused to move. Women formed the front lines of resistance. Over twenty people were injured.
Rob — the Director of our Guatemala office — was on the scene, documenting the eviction and denouncing acts of violence. His updates provided timely information that we used to advocate on behalf of the communities. Many of you probably saw the photos he posted to Facebook throughout the day. Photographer James Rodriguez has also posted a moving photoblog (See below).
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After two years and two months of peacefully blocking the entrance to U.S.-based Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA) El Tambor gold mine, local residents of San Jose del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc were violently evicted by Guatemalan Police forces in order to introduce heavy machinery inside the industrial site. Led by the local women, members of the La Puya resistance prayed and sang until they were faced with tear gas. Numerous locals were injured and detained.
http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/Article_66644.shtml
