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:

abyayalanexus on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

CANCUN: Indigenous Protest Canada's Dirty Tar Sands

Indigenous Peoples Protest Canada’s Tarsands Gigaproject on 2 December

CLIMATE CONNECTIONS: The Indigenous Environmental Network and allies protest the Tar Sands gigaproject scheme in front of the Moon Palace where UN climate negotiations are taking place. All photos by Orin Langelle/ GJEP-GFC (Top photo Clayton Thomas-Muller, Cree and Tar Sands Campaigner for IEN with Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca from Oklahoma, now hosting IEN's live webcast Red Road Cancun http://www.redroadcancun.com/ .)

Wastepickers protest outside of UN Negotiations, 1 Dec
Photo 2: Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and Global Alliance of Wastepickers and Allies (GAWA) stage protest in front of the entrance to the Exposition Center where the UN climate negotiations are taking place. All photos by Orin Langelle/ GJEP-GFC
WATCH VIDEO:


Canadian First Nations Representatives Deploy Giant Human Banner Demanding End to Tar Sands Development “Tar Sands are Killing Our Communities!”
12.01.2010– Media Contacts: Indigenous Environmental Network
Clayton Thomas-Muller + 52 998 108 0758
Melina Laboucan-Massimo k +52 998 108 0748
ienCop16media@gmail.com
http://pitch.pe/106329
CANCUN Mexico, Dec 2, 2010 -- Indigenous Peoples of Canada and their allies from around the world are in Cancun at the COP-16 climate summit demanding real action to reduce fossil fuel pollution. Over twenty people with color-coded T-shirts that spelled out the words “Shut Down the Tar Sands” in both English and Spanish gathered in front of the Maya building to directly deliver their message to UNFCCC delegates. Participants included Indigenous community representatives from fossil fuel impacted community across Canada and the U.S., many carrying personal banners linking tar sands with the destruction of their territories.

Melina Laboucan-Massimo of the Lubicon Cree comes from a community impacted by tar sands. “We have seen the destruction of our lands happen right before our eyes. Our water is being contaminated and we are seeing droughts throughout the region. My family used to be able to drink from our watershed, and now within my lifetime we can no longer do so. Young and old people alike have developed respiratory illnesses as neighboring plants emit noxious gases into the air. First Nations and farming communities have reported health effects to the wildlife and livestock. The area is drastically changing – I fear for the future of my homeland.”

The tar sands are the fastest growing source of GHG emissions in Canada. Unless Canada changes track emissions from the tar sands industry are set to triple to over 120 millions tonnes. Clayton Thomas-Muller of the Indigenous Environmental Network said, “Our communities demand real solutions to address the climate crisis and that means shutting down the tar sands and a moratorium on new fossil fuel development.”

Indigenous communities are not only being impacted in the tar sands region, but are feeling the effects of tar sands infrastructure spreading throughout North America such as the Keystone and pending Keystone XL pipelines. “Our traditional way of life has been devastated by oil refineries. There is already a web of pipelines under the ground, and now the Keystone has plowed through our territory bringing further spills,” explains Casey Camp-Horinek of the Oklahoma Ponca Nation. “No amount of money can replace the destruction of our land, water and air. The Keystone XL pipeline is not needed or wanted.”

Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions. IEN has brought 17 indigenous leaders to Cancun as part of the Grassroots Climate Justice Solutions North America Delegation uniting representatives from fossil fuel impacted communities who are on the frontlines of solving the climate crisis. To book interviews or get background on North American climate justice organizing, contact the IEN Media Hotline: +52 998 108 0748.
http://redroadcancun.org
http://grassrootsclimatesolutions.org

President Evo Morales' updates from Cancun

MOVIMIENTO MUNDIAL DE LOS PUEBLOS POR LA MADRE TIERRA BOLETIN MMPMT Nº 10 (26 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010)
NOTICIAS
EVO MORALES DENUNCIA MANIOBRAS DE INDUSTRIALIZADOS PREVIO A CANCÚN
El presidente del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Evo Morales denunció hoy maniobras de los países industrializados tendientes a postergar decisiones en defensa de la Madre Tierra en la Cumbre sobre Cambio Climático, que sesionará en Cancún, México. La alerta del mandatario respondió a la aprobación de una agenda con reminiscencias de la fracasada cita acerca del tema realizada en Copenhague, Dinamarca, en diciembre de 2009, durante las reuniones preparatorias del evento programado a partir de la semana entrante.
Mas ...
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/p/movimiento-mundial-de-los-pueblos-por.html

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