Thousands rally in Lima in support of Indigenous strike and demand reforms in Peru - Miles marchan en Lima en apoyo a paro indígena y exigien reformas

Over 10,000 people came out to the streets of Lima, Peru last Wednesday May 27, in support of the Amazon Indigenous peoples strike to repeal Peruvian laws implementing the US- Peru Free Trade Agreement, and to demand for social investment to face the global financial crisis.

Meanwhile Peru's Minister of Commerce Mercedes Araoz is meeting in New York with Peruvian American business groups who want to take advantage of the U.S.-Peru FTA.

Free trade policies included in several new legislative decrees allow oil, gas, mining and logging corporations to enter the Amazon forest of Peru.

The protesters walked from Lima's Dos de Mayo circle to the Congress of Peru building, where a group of leaders met with the President of Congress.

The rally was organized by two most important workers unions in Peru: CGTP and CUT-Perú along with Coordinadora Política Social (CPS) a letist group of political leaders and advocacy organizations.

Thanks to independent journalists in Lima for sending this video.

Miles marchan en Lima en apoyo a indígenas amazónicos y en demanda de reformas sociales en Perú

Más de 10,000 personas salieron a las calles de Lima, Perú el pasado miércoles 27 de mayo en apoyo a los pueblos indígenas amazónicos, que piden derogar las leyes peruanas que implementan el Tratado de Libre Comercio con EEUU, y para demandar inversiones sociales que enfrenten la crisis económica mundial.

Mientras tanto la ministra de Comercio Exterior, Mercedes Araóz está en New York para reunirse con empresarios peruanos que quiere sacar ventaja del TLC entre Perú y EEUU.

Las políticas de libre comercio incluidas en las nuevas leyes permiten a corporaciones de petróleo, gas, minería y madereras que ingresen a selva amazónica de Perú.

Los manifestantes caminaron desde la Plaza Dos de Mayo hasta el Congreso de Perú, donde un grupo de líderes se reunieron con el presidente del Congreso, José Vásquez Bazán. Esta marcha fue organizada por los dos sindicatos mas grandes de Perú, CGTP y CUT junto a la Coordinadora Política Social (CPS) un grupo de izquierda que reúne a activistas políticos y grupos comunitarios.

Gracias a periodistas independientes de Lima por enviar este video.

Protests occurred in several cities of Peru

Servindi reports that it was a succesful journey of protest all around Peru, including rallies and marches in Cajamarca, Amazonas, Loreto, Cusco. Train services from Cusco to Machu Picchu were interrupted by British-owned Peru Rail, due to protests.

18 injured in Iquitos. Photo La Republica

La Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Perú – CUT [Unitarian Central of Workers of Peru] with representation in the 25 Peruvian regions, posted this report from its president Julio César Bazán after the rally –this is a partial translation- see original in Spanish here.

The rally was organized by union leaders of Peru: CUT, CGTP and CPS, and walked around the streets of Lima to the Congress building, where a special committee received the leaders of the protest. There was a meeting with the President of Congress, Javier Velasquez Quesquen -who is also Indigenous but supports the Garcia administration- in the meeting were discussed three main points:

1- To repeal all legislative decrees that affect directly the Native communities.
2- Due to the global economic crisis there is a demand to raises the minimum wage.
3- To repeal all legislative decrees that criminalize the social protest since 2007.

Congress president Velasquez promised to put into debate the law 1090 and to promote mechanisms of dialogue with Indigenous peoples. Also to promote legislation intended to improve labor rights and retirement plans for miners. Congressman Vasquez did not rule on the criminalization of social protest, which has caused for instance that 18 people were shot yesterday in Peru.

Hubieron protestas en todo Perú

Servindi reporta que hubo jornadas exitosas incluyendo marchas y paros en Cajamarca, Amazonas, Loreto, Cusco. El servicio de trenes de Cusco a Machu Picchu ha sido interrumpido por la británica Perú Rail, debido a las protestas.

La Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Perú – CUT que tiene representación en las 25 regiones peruanas, ha publicado un reporte de su presidente Julio César Bazán donde dice que después de la marcha los dirigentes fueron recibidos por el presidente del Congreso de Perú, Javier Velásquez Quesquén –quien también es indígena pero apoya las políticas del gobierno- y se comprometió en debatir la ley 1090, promover mecanismos de mejora de derechos laborales y jubilación de mineros.

Vásquez no se pronunció sobre las leyes de criminalización de las protestas que fueron promulgadas en 2007, y que ayer justificaron el ataque con balas de 18 peruanos en Iquitos.

Rally in Lima. Photo CUT-Peru

Dialogue continues

Primer Minister Yehude Simon is holding conversations with Amazon Indigenous leaders of AIDESEP. Simon told the press that he hopes to renegotiate the laws that implement the US-Peru FTA, but the Indigenous leaders have declared they don't want to modify the laws, which should be repealed immediately. Talks continue today.

Diálogo continua

El primer ministro Yehude Simón continua las reuniones con los lideres amazónicos del AIDESEP. Simón dijo a la prensa que espera renegociar los decretos en disputa, pero los líderes indígenas han dicho que ellos no quieren modificar esas leyes, sino exigen la derogatoria inmediata de las mismas. Las conversatciones continúan hoy.

More info coming up.

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