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United, We Will Never Be Defeated: Guatemala’s Victory Over Monsanto
un articulo por Cultural Survival (slightly abridged)
On September 2nd the people of Sololá rose to their feet to protect
what is considered by many to be the heart and body of the Mayan
civilization, corn. Thousands of people, young and old, peacefully
marched and shut down the main intersections on the inter-
american highway that connects the western part of Guatemala to
the capital. Their demand? Keep Monsanto out of Guatemala. 
Thousands of people stand in solidarity to protest the Congressional Decree 19-2014.
click on photo to enlarge
In June of this year a decision was made by the Congress of
Guatemala, without the consent of its people. The Decree 19-2014
known as the Monsanto Law was approved by over 100 congress
people. This new law would require all farmers who cultivate corn to
purchase their seeds from Monsanto. Anyone caught cultivating
corn from their own seeds would be fined and could even face jail
time. These new seeds are genetically modified to produce only
once and no seed taken from them can be replanted as they
become sterile. Every year farmers would have to buy new seeds in
order to produce corn . . .
In response to the passing of this law, the indigenous municipality
and community leaders of Sololá organized a mass education
campaign on Sunday August 31st, throughout the various
communities in Sololá. The information was given in the local
language, Kaqchikel, and each community leader stated the benefits
and consequences of this seed law, as well as who Monsanto was
and their history in other countries. People were outraged that
Congress would even consider replacing their seeds that have been
passed down for thousands of years. Some town elders held back
their tears and asked their communities to stand with them in
solidarity to protect their seeds.
The town of Sololá blocked some of the main intersections to the
capital with thousands of people holding signs that read “ Monsanto
Kills”, “No To Genetically Modified Seeds” and “Marcelino Chuta,
Flavio Yojcom and Francisco Tambriz, Traitors To The People of
Solola”. In the capital, the community of Totonicapan gathered to
protest in front of Congress as the members arrived to discuss a
solution. People stood for hours under the bright sun in the
morning and continued to stay strong in the chilly winds of the late
afternoon.
Word came around 6:45pm that Congress would enter a three-day
session to repeal the law. The news was received with great joy, but
leaders were hesitant to celebrate until the document had officially
been signed into effect. Two days later, on September 4th, with a
majority vote, the Congress of Guatemala announced the immediate
repeal of Decree 19-2014 or Monsanto Law. Congress and its
members made a public apology to the people of Guatemala for
making a poor decision for the future of the country.
Despite hundreds of years of oppression and marginalization, the
people of Guatemala stood up against their oppressive leaders and
demanded justice. The victory over Monsanto is a glimpse of the
power of this country. Community radios from all over the country
broadcast the event, which will go down in history as the victory
over Monsanto.
(Click here for a Spanish version of this article)
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DISCUSSION
Pregunta(s) relacionada(s) al artículo :
Indigenous peoples, Are they the true guardians of nature?
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