VIA CAMPESINA: The Peoples Climate Movement

NOW at Via Campesina in Cancun. Photos by Brenda Norrell.

LISTEN to VIA CAMPESINA LIVE:http://www.giss.tv:8000/viacampesina.ogg
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Greetings from Cancun: Sarah James and Ofelia Rivas

Greetings from Cancun! Ofelia Rivas, O'odham from the US/Mexico border, and Sarah James of the Gwich'in Steering Committee in Alaska, are among the grassroots Indigenous Peoples here at the Cancun Climate Summit today, Sunday, Dec. 5. Watch for interviews, live from Cancun, as Via Campesina is outside rallying to protect Mother Earth (outside the Radisson downtown.) Photo Brenda Norrell/Censored News.

Press statement from the movement for the Protection of Mother Earth, solidified in Bolivia at the World Peoples Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth:
Fate of Cancun Climate Summit is At Stake
ALBA Denounces Developed Country Attempts to Rupture Kyoto Protocol
http://pwccc.wordpress.com
CANCUN, Mexico (12/3/10) -- In his evaluation of the development of the Climate Summit held in the Mexican city of Cancun, the Ambassador of Bolivia to the United Nations Pablo Solon said in a press conference today: "Unfortunately, as of the fifth day, we have advanced very little on substantive issues. There was progress on issues that are not related to the core of this negotiation, which is the reduction of greenhouse gases emissions. What we have, after five days of work, is total uncertainty about the continuity of the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol."
"This is unacceptable, because we came here to discuss the amount of emission reductions for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, not just to discuss secondary issues," Solon said.
ALBA countries joined the press conference called for by the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The representative of Venezuela, Claudia Salerno, said: "We cannot give ourselves the luxury of failing. Our countries are suffering the consequences of climate change."
Bolivia’s ambassador also said that "there are countries that in an honest and transparent way have told us that there will not be a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (which requires greater carbon emission reductions). But there are other countries that have proposed that in order to have a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, they must first open the door to different protocol, which we could be part of in the future. "
Solon used an analogy to explain the problem with this proposal: "this is like telling someone, in order to stay married to you, I want first you let me open the door to having a second wife.”
When asked by journalists which countries were blocking the second period of Kyoto, the diplomats said they prefer not to mention names while negotiations are still in process, with the hope of reaching a common agreement. The representative of Nicaragua made it clear that the ALBA countries have the support of African and Arab nations, as well as important members of the BASIC.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Salerno was categorical in stating that "the world needs commitments." Salerno said: "We have been trying to make progress, while on the other side there are representatives saying they would rather to go to the beach because there is nothing to do here. So, they have the sense that, to stay here is politically a waste of time, even though this would mean guaranteeing a scenario that is a thousand times worse than what we have already seen."
The government delegates said that they will continue to work toward an agreement despite the lack of optimism. Salerno said, "we are extremely frustrated and we want to arrive at what could be a fateful December 10th. We need to use the remaining hours in the day to move forward and try to change the position of these [developed] countries before the text of the working group chairs is produced tomorrow.”
The Venezuelan representative was emphatic in stating that "the positions of our countries are not for sale. No money in the world can buy a decision of the ALBA countries that could mean the death of any human being on this planet."

Chilean troops open fire on unarmed Rapanui on Easter Island homeland

BREAKING NEWS PRESS RELEASE – 12/3/10
RAPANUI (EASTER ISLAND) UNDER FIRE BY CHILEAN TROOPS

Press statement
Early this morning armed Chilean troops opened fire on unarmed Rapanui civilians. The police started shooting and tear gassing as the Rapanui people started gathering in solidarity.
Now there is blood on the streets.
Leviante Araki, the President of the Rapanui Parliament was shot twice about his hip and rib cage and is being air lifted to Santiago for medical care. A young man, Richard Tepano, was shot at short range in his right eye and is now in critical condition in the hospital. Maori Pakarati was shot above his right eye and in his arm, a rubber bullet remains encrusted in his arm. Zita Atan was shot in the head, Pia Vargas was shot in her right leg. Honu Tepano was shot in his shoulder. As the Chilean troops were charging towards the fleeing Rapanui. ClaudioTuki was hit in the forehead Enrique Tepano was shot in his face. Santi Hitorangi was shot in his right leg from behind, and as he attempted to continue to film the situtation he was shot twice in his back.
At 5:45 Jose Rikorokoi who was on the premise of Rapanui land adjacent to the bank building and was beaten by a baton in his head. At this site Chileans troops violently routed out the unarmed family of Michael Tuko Tuki, Rapanui nationals.
The unarmed Rapanui people are determined not to be removed from their lands. The Rapanui people defended themselves by throwing rocks amid the bullets flying toward them.
The judge and fiscal official who activated the order has disappeared, No officials can be found and the police say they are only following orders.
Yesterday the Governor asked the Rapanui people to evacuate the premises, they refused. She has no control to stop the police as it is not within her power.
After months of relatively peaceful reoccupation of their lands by the Rapanui people, the Chilean government attacked with force, brandishing automatic rifles and shotguns.
The state of Chile has refused to hold meaningful discussions to resolve this situation, which could be resolved by issuing title to the Rapanui people of their lands as required under Chilean law.
Instead of finding a peaceful solution the Chilean government has all that delayed and criminalized the Rapanui clans that are in re-occupation and has now violently attacked them.
Regardless, the Rapanui commitment and steadfastness is unwavering and inspirational. The unfunded and unarmed Rapanui are fighting colossal well financed foreign and Chilean private interests to privatize the Rapanui island and its archeological treasures, the MOAI.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Susana Hito (845) 596-5403
Santi Hitorangi 011569 62411364
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2010/12/chilean-troops-open-fire-on-rapanui-on.html

PHOTO: In this photo provided by Prensa Pueblo Rapa Nui an unidentified person helps Benjamin Cardinali, a resident of Easter Island, after being injured after being injured by a pallet shot by Chilean police officers during a protest against the removal by police of a group of residents that were occupying a judicial building in demand for land rights in Easter Island, Chile, Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Prensa Pueblo Rapa Nui)

Ben Powless: Indigenous at Cancun Climate Summit

Photo copyright Ben Powless, Mohawk. Smiling faces for friends and family back home, from the Cancun Climate Summit.
Watch Red Road Cancun live at http://www.redroadcancun.com/
The Indigenous Environmental Network in Cancun, with Earthcycles webstreaming:

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