Fight against President Garcia laws intensify

Source: Indian Country Today

Natives in Peru recently intensified protests they’ve been holding for 48 days which have shut down the country’s biggest crude oil fields, halted the operation of its only crude pipeline, blocked key Amazon highways and rivers, and disrupted travel to the Machu Picchu ruins.

The protests by Native groups are aimed at getting Peruvian President Alan Garcia to back down on recent law changes that would give his government a freer hand in selling rights over tracts of Amazon land.

AIDESEP spokesperson Edson Rosales said railways – the only access other than foot from the city of Cuzco to the Machu Picchu Inca ruins, the biggest tourist attraction in Peru – was blocked May 27 for a second day by groups including Machiguenga Natives. It was the first time the ruins had been affected.

The biggest Peruvian Amazon city of Iquitos – population 370,000 – was also paralyzed for a second day. Other protests hit many Amazon towns which faced supply shortages, he added.

He said other blockades of waterways, highways as well as pumping installations for the pipeline continued, and reported that Native leader Alberto Pizango remains firm to his original position that the protests will not end until Garcia backs down on legislation changes that threaten Natives ancestral lands.

Read more: http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/global/46462787.html

It is no surprise that he is pursuing neoliberal policies, the difference this time is that the indigenous people are refusing to play along.

That's key and what could be a more liberal issue than that...no the mestizos and incans are in the right.

indigenous people must oppose the continued destruction of the earth. The traditional people of the many native nations have understandings of the natural world (what I look upon as the "real world"} that cut through the growth economy/greed arguments of so called practical people. Just as we may be close to the "tipping point" on global warming, we may be close to an awareness/spiritual tipping point for us humans on this earth. The Hopi elders had much to offer but the United Nations (and the United States) have chosen not to listen.
Sadly, for all of us.

because they can't see Machu Picchu on their "Celestine Prophecy" trip.

. . . don't even get me started about the celestine prophecy b.s.