Guatemalan Water Protectors at Risk
On Sunday, March 13 at 6:30pm, join us in tuning in to a webinar featuring Abelino Salvador Mejía of the CCR and Ewa Klewar of the Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project. During this event, they will discuss the criminalization Guatemalan community members have faced as they defend water from diversion and pollution by sugar mills.
Guatemala’s Southern Coast economy relies heavily upon the exportation of sugar cane. Sugarcane production requires a large amount of water, which is typically procured through diverting rivers and drilling wells. This method often results in water pollution and contamination. This pollution has begun to affect the local communities, who have organized themselves into the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu (CCR) to address the contamination. PBI began to accompany members of the CCR in April 2020 due to the harassment and threats leveled at its members.
Currently, four members of the CCR have been criminalized for their water protection efforts. Abelino Salvador Mejía, Virgilio García Carrillo, Anabella España Reyes, and Flabio Vicente will appear in court on Monday March 14.
Abelino Salvador Mejía
We are privileged to welcome to this event Abelino Salvador Mejía. Reflecting upon his experiences of resistance and wrongful criminalization, Mejía will discuss the importance of defending the right to water from harm by the sugar industry in Guatemala. He, and four other members of the CCR, will appear in court on March 14 for their peaceful resistance efforts.
Ewa Klewar
Ewa Klewar of PBI Guatemala will be moderating the event in addition to sharing her own experiences accompanying members of the CCR as they fight to protect their community’s water.
