Remember the old bumper sticker, “Sure you can trust the government; just ask a whale or an Indian”? As much as we’d like to think that the adage no longer applies, sadly, it still does in many places worldwide–including America.
And the United States doesn’t perpetuate land consumption and culture elimination simply within its own lands; no, it does so around the world as well, through many means. In the case of Peru, it’s through a free trade agreement.
As a result of a series of forest laws in Peru–made possible by free trade agreements with the United States–indigenous peoples in the country have lost the land they live on. These laws permit foreign mining, timber, gas and oil companies to have access to the land and to do as they wish, without regard to those who live there.
For almost two months, these people have now staged road and pipeline blockades in protest of the encroachment, which has had disastrous results–including death.
Unbelievably–in a case of history repeating itself yet again–military officers who kill these protesters are not being held punishable, given immunity by the agreement and forest laws. Because of this wrongful immunity, at least 30 peaceful protesters have already been killed, and others have been violently attacked with tear gas and other ammunition.
One positive result has been born through this tragedy and continuing injustice: a sense of global solidarity, which includes citizens of the U.S. People around the world are protesting with our brothers and sisters in the Amazon, demanding not only an end to the violence, but also fair treatment.
To take a stand, sign this letter asking for U.S. intervention.
Tags: forest laws, free trade, peru