Urgent: Guatemalan Government Preparing Attack on Indigenous Community RIGHT NOW
Chaab’il Ch’och’ community members participate in a drum workshop during a recent GSP visit to the community
October 30, 2017
GuatemalaSolidarityProject.org
The GSP is calling for urgent solidarity with the children and adults of the indigenous community Chaab’il Ch’och’ in Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala. At this very moment government forces are approaching the area and are expected to violently attack the community today.
Recent attacks in the region have resulted in the burning down of entire communities, arrest of community leaders, and injury of unarmed community members. Often the most dangerous period is in the weeks following attacks, when community members have starved to death after the burning of their crops and destruction of their possessions.
The GSP is calling for immediate action in solidarity with the people of Chaab’il Ch’och’. Below are three suggested actions, please do what you can now!
Take action:
1) Contact the Guatemala Embassy in Washington, DC. Because their military is armed and trained by the US and the resources they steal from indigenous communities are primarily sold in the US, the Guatemalan elite are concerned about their public image in the US and have occasionally responded to public pressure. Contact Yanira Gutierrez at Ygutierrez@guatemala-embassy.org or 202-745-4953 (If you call please ask to speak with consular Yanira Gutierrez)
Sample message:
“Dear Consular Gutierrez,
I am contacting you to denounce the threatened attack against the indigenous community Chaab’il Ch’och’ in Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala. I understand that Guatemalan police and/or military are currently traveling to the community and are expected to attack the village today. There are children, pregnant women, elderly people and other civilians in the village who should be protected and not attacked by their government. An attack on this village would be a clear violation of Guatemalan and international law. I ask you to make every effort to let the authorities know that the world is watching and that they must cancel this attack immediately. Please let me know any more information you have about this. I will continue to monitor the situation.
Sincerely,
________”
2) Donate to the GSP. We are a volunteer-run organization and all donations go to our partners. Donations are tax-deductible in the US. There is an URGENT need for medical and related support resulting from government attacks.
3) Join our urgent action email list to receive updates and participate in ongoing actions. To join our urgent action list email info@guatemalasolidarityproject.org with “Add to urgent action list” in the subject line, and we will let you know of important actions to take immediately after emergencies such as the arrest of a community leader or an attack on a community.