Amidst a spike in violence 3,900+ sign petition demanding Pan American Silver respect the Xinka Peoples’ rights to free and prior consent

admin2021-04-15T13:17:58-04:00April 15th, 2021|Defense of Territory, Urgent Actions|

Dear Pan American Silver,

When you purchased the Escobal mine in 2019, you knew about the broad opposition to the project and that there had been violent repression against those involved in the fight. Now, your refusal to halt local programs in Xinka communities is fomenting tension and division. These activities violate the courtordered suspension of the mine, undermine the possibility of a good faith consultation with the Xinka, and put Xinka land defenders at risk. Enough.

Today we deliver a petition signed by Indigenous leaders such as Kukpi7 Judy Wilson and Winona LaDuke, former UN Special Rapporteurs Michel Forst and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, and influential authors Noam Chomsky and Naomi Klein, along with 3,900+ others to demand that you respect the Xinka people’s right to be freely consulted without violence and threats, and immediately cease interference in Xinka communities.