Guatemalan communities threatened by a mining project with links to Vancouver have asked for a show of international solidarity through banners they can display at their peaceful, ongoing protest. In response, the Mining Justice Alliance invites our friends and supporters to take part in a one-day art workshop to create a solidarity banner that will be delivered to Guatemala in December. Come and be part of this important action!
Friday, November 30, 2012
417 W. Hastings. Enter through the door with the “Art Space” sign in the alley between Hastings and Cordova (knock hard if the door is closed)
12pm-3pm: Local arts facilitator Melanie Schambach will lead a community-based art workshop to create a message and banner. Maximum of 10 people. Please RSVP to Christine LeClerc.
4pm-9pm: Drop-in and celebration to complete the banner, and film video letters of solidarity. Dance party, with snacks of course!
Since March of this year, members of the communities of San Jose del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc have held an ongoing peaceful protest to block the entrance of a mining project that, until recently, was owned by Vancouver-based Radius Gold and its wholly owned Guatemalan subsidiary, Exploración Mineras de Guatemala (EXMIGUA). The community members in resistance worry the project will pollute their water supply and damage land; they claim they were never consulted about the project, and never gave legal permission for a mine to operate in their lands. On June 13, 2012, community leader Yolanda Oqueli was attacked by gunman on her way home from the protest. She survived and continues to recover, though a bullet remains lodged close to her spine.
For more information on the resistance camp, please see this recent article. Last week (November 13 and 14, 2012), the protest camp was threatened again, but communities peacefully held their ground amidst threats from busloads of pro-mining provocateurs.
We look forward to seeing you, and to updating you after the banner is delivered.