Wirrarika Reaffirm Their Determination to Defend Their Territories in Mexico Iracema Gavilan and Adazahira Chavez - Upside Down World
go to original March 4, 2013

Wirikuta Great Pilgrimage. February 2012. (Laura Carmen Magana)

The definitive cancellation of mining and agro-industrial contracts in the sacred territory of the Wirrárika is urgent due to the serious ecological, social and spiritual effects that are affecting the indigenous and communal [mestizo] farmers of the region.

Wirikuta is for us, the Wixárika people. It is the fundamental base of our community and family life. Without Wirikuta, we as a people will die. - Wirrárika authorities.

With regards to the concessions of mining permits that affect the sacred zone of Wirikuta, “the State is the one committing irregularities and not consulting the people,” explains Santos de la Cruz, president of the autonomous commissary of common goods of Bancos de San Hipólite and member of the Wirikuta Defense Front. “That’s why we demand that they look for alternatives to find a solution,” he added.

The traditional authorities of the common goods in San Sebastian Teponahuaxtán, Tuxpan de Bolaños, Santa Catarina Cuexcomatitlán and Bancos de San Hipólito, that represent the voices of the maraakame, along with the council of elders, and assemblies of 500 Wirrárika ceremonial centers, reaffirm before the new federal government their determination to defend their territories against the mining and agricultural industries.

One year after the traditional pilgrimage on February 7, 2012 to the Cerro Quemado, Wirikuta, in San Luis Potosí, the Regional Wixárika Counsel took the pilgrimage to Mexico City, to reiterate and present their demands in two parts to the new executive government.

De La Cruz claims their demands are the same and “our position is clear; we will continue to strengthen our community organization, along with other communities.”

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Source: Desinformémonos - Translation by Molly Fohn

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