Members of the Tsijil Ba Bij (New Path) collective and the National Indigenous Congress (CNI) in Agua Clara, municipality of Salto de Agua, expressed their “total rejection of the San Cristóbal–Palenque highway megaproject, imposed without prior, free, and informed consultation.”
In a statement, they affirmed that the construction of this project, which began on June 8, “has generated division in the communities and threatens our way of life.”
They stated: “Our land is our roots, food, and future, not a commodity. We say loudly: we do not accept this deadly project. We are facing a storm that destroys nature and threatens our lives.”
They emphasized: “We also know that when organized, we can defend what belongs to us. That is why we call on all peoples, collectives, and solidarity organizations to unite in defense of what gives life: our rights, our land, and the lives of our children.”
They stated that their struggle “is nonviolent, but firm and determined. We want a dignified future for present and future generations.” The text was released in the context of the commemoration of the sixth anniversary of “resistance and rebellion,” when their community was “victim of aggression and intimidation for being Tseltal indigenous people, for defending human rights, autonomy, and territory.”
They asserted that “that violence sought to sow fear, but failed to destroy our dignity. Today we reaffirm: no to oblivion, yes to resistance.” We are still here, and we will continue here.”
The members of Nuevo Camino and the CNI demanded justice for the murder of the Tsotsil priest Marcelo Pérez, perpetrated on October 20 in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, and “for our brother Simón Pedro Pérez López, a member of Las Abejas de Acteal, killed on July 5, 2021. We remember his words and his journey, which are seeds of struggle that flourish in our hearts.”
They also demanded “the immediate release of our Tseltal brothers from Cancuc: Manuel Sántiz Cruz, Agustín Pérez Domínguez, Juan Velasco Aguilar, Martín Pérez Domínguez, and Agustín Pérez Velasco, unjustly imprisoned since May 29, 2022. Their imprisonment is part of the criminalization of those who defend life and autonomy.”
Source: jornada
