Blog Entry

Speaking Tour: Canada’s Deadly Diplomacy and Mining Justice in Mexico 

Jen Moore

Latin America Program Coordinator / Coordinadora del programa para América Latina, 2010-2018.

More than eight years since the murder of Mariano Abarca, an outspoken community leader in Chiapas, Mexico, his son and a group of Mexican human rights defenders will visit Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto from February 5 to 9. Mariano led his community's struggle against the social and environmental impacts of Blackfire Exploration’s barite mine.

The delegation will file a complaint ask for an investigation into whether the Canadian embassy acted recklessly and without authority in pressuing the government of the state of Chiapas in Mexico to end protests. They will also participate in public events to build solidarity with the ongoing struggle for justice for Mariano. They will also discuss Canada’s role and the worsening context of criminalization and violence in mining-affected areas of Mexico. 

Mark your calendar: 

Tuesday, February 6 – Ottawa – 7-9pm 
608 Robertson Hall (Senate Room) 
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Also on Facebook and Eventbrite

This event will be livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/iclmg.csilc/ 

Wednesday, February 7 – Montreal – 5-9:30pm 
Impunité des minières au Mexique: exposition et panel 
Chaufferie de l'UQÀM, 175, avenue du Président-Kennedy
Également sur Facebook

Thursday, February 8 – Toronto – 6:30-9pm
Room 330, 113 McCaul St., OCAD University, for a panel discussion
followed by a photo exhibit, refreshments, and music in the lobby of 100 McCaul St.
Also on Facebook

Supporting organizations: 
MiningWatch Canada, United Steelworkers, Common Frontiers, Inter Pares, Committee for Human Rights in Latin America (CDHAL), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) Social Justice Fund, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Council of Canadians, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG), KAIROS, Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Carleton University, the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, United for Mining Justice and Centre international de solidarité ouvrière (CISO).

Canada’s Deadly Diplomacy and Mining Justice in Mexico - Ottawa event poster Impunité des minières au Mexique: la diplomatie canadienne au banc des accusés – affiche Montréal