FUNDRAISER FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE MASSACRE IN BAGUA, PERUVIAN AMAZON

This fundraiser is in the solidarity with Indigenous communities from the Peruvian Amazon who have been struggling for their human and environmental rights against oppressive government who sold 72% of the Peruvian Amazon to the oil and mining companies.

Their protest to reclaim their rights have culminated on the 5th of June, 2009 in Bagua, Peru were the police violently slaughtered dozens of the participants.
The Indigenous people do not protect only their territory, but the Amazon that is 'the lung' of the World.
Therefore, their local struggle should be also our struggle!

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7:30 PM FILM : 'Amazonia For Sale'


The Awajun people have inhabited the Amazon rainforest since time immemorial, living in harmony with - and respectful of - nature. This ecological balance is now being threatened by a growing interest on the part of the Peruvian government and national and international companies in indiscriminately exploiting the area’s mineral, timber and oil resources. As a result of this plan, promoted by the state in the name of progress and economic development, the original inhabitants of these lands are now threatened by pollution, illness and desertification. This documentary tells the story of the Awajun people’s resistance and struggle for their dignity and territory, both now and in the future, seeking to avoid the tragic experience to which many of Latin America’s native peoples have already succumbed.

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+ speakers form the Newcastle University (Dr. Patricia Oliart + Prof. Esteban Castro who have done research in the area)

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9:00 PM LIVE PUNK MUSIC :

*ONSIND*
*NO FIT STATE*
*WITCHES REVENGE*

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THANKS FOR YOUR SOLIDARITY!

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BACKGROUND OF THE SITUATION IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON:

The socio-ecological impacts caused by extractive procedures of natural resources in the Peruvian Amazon have culminated in ecological distribution conflicts. The exploitation of natural resources by oil and mining plotting affects 72% of the Peruvian Amazon, mainly threatened indigenous territories. According to various ecological entities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the dislocation of the ecosystem and the toxic pollution caused by oil companies in the last decades is alarming. The Peruvian government instead of protecting the Amazonian environment and livelihood of the local communities, is opening up more remote areas to transnational corporations. By taking these steps without previous consultation with indigenous communities, the government contravenes the constitution, particularly Convenant 169, and violates the ratified International Declaration of Human Rights.

The mobilisations of indigenous communities and the intention for dialogue with the government and corporations have started in the last decade, but the ignorance of indigenous demands and the recent approval of Free Trade Agreement (Tratado de Libre Comercio) between Peru and The United States, continued in massive organised protest. This demonstration culminated on the 5th of June, 2009 into bloody encounter, followed by persecution of indigenous leaders of the Interethnic Peruvian Jungle Development Association (AIDESEP) by the Peruvian government.