The Defense of Indigenous Land is not a Crime

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

11am Mexican Consulate, 2055 Rue Peel

“Though you are far away, your actions for the incarcerated compañeros are helping us. What you are doing makes us happy. Because you are supporting us. It is true that five compas were freed and that we do not only want five freed. We want all of them to be free.” – Words from Amalia from the “Second Video Message from San Sebastian Bachajón”

Inspired by the international call to action “5 Days of Action for the Bachajon 5”, here in Canada we are organizing a protest to denounce the Mexican Government’s brutal repression of the humble people of San Sebastian Bachajón, Chiapas, Mexico in resisting government control of their land.  We will gather Wednesday morning at 11am to demand that the repressive PAN president Felipe Calderón and the repressive PRD governor Juan Sabines Guerrero liberate the 5 political prisoners of San Sebastian Bachajón.

The people of Bachajón, adherents to the Zapatista’s Other Campaign, have been making an income off of tollbooths that charge the tourists who come to enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls, los Aguas Azules, in their territory.  This money helps the community to maintain its health, programs, and is distributed as they see fit amongst themselves.  The Mexican Government wants to control this tourist location and its profits, and is attempting to seize this land from the humble people of Bachajón, and displace them from their land and territory.  In resisting this displacement, over a hundred individuals were arrested in February of 2011.  Out of these, five men have been detained and are still being held, while the rest have been freed.

We call on Juan Sabines Guerrero to stop the threats, intimidation and atttacks on the people of San Sebastian Bachajón, and to free the political prisoners, and return control of the tollbooths to the people to whom the land belongs.  This action is part of 5 Days of Worldwide Action for the Bachajón 5 to show them that they are not alone, that we are with them although we are far away, and that their struggle is also our struggle.

Come out in great number to show your support for the people of San Sebastian Bachajón and to demand the freedom of the 5 men detained for defending their autonomy, land and territory.  The defense of land is not a crime! Freedom for the Bachajón 5!