Peasant-farmers in the Magdalena Medio march to demand their rights

23.02.09

prensarural.org
February 18, 2009

Their demands were clear: “Freedom, freedom, freedom!” Hundreds of farmers marched yesterday in scorching 38 degree weather to demand that the state free two leaders of the Peasant-Farmer Association of the Cimitarra River Valley (ACVC), Miguel Angle Huepa and Andres Gil, detained by the authorities for the alleged crime of rebellion.

After an opening ceremony, the farmers left the USO oil workers’ union and held a symbolic protest in front of the Attorney General’s office.

Three basic themes were promoted throughout the march, the slogans, and the musical performance held in front of the court building. The demonstrators demanded freedom for the detainees, asked the national government to stop the relaunching of glyphosate fumigations, and asked to instead continue manual eradication of illegal crops. They also demanded greater protection to ensure that they do not lose their land.

“Faced with injustice, we demand justice. We marched in solidarity with the leaders because their due process rights have been violated. There is no evidence against them, but even though we asked for their freedom, the Attorney General’s Office hasn’t freed them. We hope that tomorrow (today) the judge gives us a positive answer,” said Alvaro Manzano, farmer and Secretary of the ACVC.

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