It was past 9 pm when our ‘la caravana de denuncia y resistencia’ arrived near a main square in the city of Salamanca. We gathered near the steps of a government office on a busy pedestrian street and were greeted by speakers who told us about the situation here.

One of the first speakers spoke against carbon trading, and the role of rich nations at the Copenhagen summit.

Then a speaker told us that the petrochemical industry and the hydro generating plant is causing air pollution, lead pollution, and other toxic contamination here. This brings neurological problems, skin problems, and health problems for children. A recent explosion released toxic gases into the air. She told us that the Mexican government has not taken action on any of this.

Another speaker told us about the number of children who have died of leukemia.

Then a speaker talked about the exploitation of resources and how that hurts Mother Earth, and how we must come together in the defence of life. They want to create a citizens council to make decisions about natural resources. He said this will help protect the watershed, and watersheds around the world.

Another speaker asked – are we going to continue to allow poverty, social injustice, the destruction of our territory? He said that’s why we have come together in these caravans – to debate and defend the future of the air, the water and the forests.

The gathering concluded with the plea that our task is to share these stories. We will do that in Cancun, and through the simple medium of a blog.

It’s now past midnight and we are at a community centre outside of town. Tonight we sleep on the floor.

Brent Patterson, Director of Campaigns and Communications, Council of Canadians
www.canadians.org

 

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Brent Patterson

Brent Patterson is a political activist, writer and the executive director of Peace Brigades International-Canada. He lives in Ottawa on the traditional, unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Algonquin...