Last Wednesday several struggles related to Canadian mining corporations in Mexico met at the Embassy. This time the mobilization happened because of the death of Bernardo Méndez from San José del Progreso, Oaxaca. Bernardo was part of a demonstration against the intention of the municipality and Cuzcatlán, subsidiary company of Fortuna Silver, of giving additional water to the mine in this town when police opened fire against protestors. Bernardo and Abigail Vasquez were wounded and Bernardo passed away the next day.
Last time I was here we were demanding justice regarding Don Mariano Abarca’s assassination. This was back in 2009 and the demand to the Canadian government has not changed: Canadian mining companies need to be held accountable to the human rights violations, the environmental and social damages they cause.
In San José del Progreso, as in many other places in Mexico and Latin America, the demand is clear: the mining companies need to leave for peace to return to our towns.
Affected communities by Canadian mining know that many Canadian citizens and organizations stand with them in solidarity and are appalled to learn what is happening on the ground.
Read the article in the Vancouver Observer regarding this mobilization at http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/news/2012/01/28/vancouver-mining-company-opponent-killed-mexico-pipeline-clash.
