Solidarity with Indigenous people of Honduras and COPINH

In solidarity with COPINH and Indigenous communities in Honduras and against oppressive land grabbing, criminalization and military brutality



 On April 1st 2013, the Indigenous Lenca community of Rio Blanco initiated
a road block to stop the construction of the Agua Zarca Dam in their
territory.  The dam project--involving two companies, DESA and 
SINOHYDRO--is illegal, violating ILO Convention 169 on "the right of Indigenous peoples to determine their own process of 
development.” The Honduran government claims to respect indigenous rights
 but failed to consult or receive the permission for the project by the 
people who have lived on this land for generations and depend on the land 
to harvest their corn, beans, yucca, plantains, and other crops to survive.
 If the dam is constructed it would cause severe environmental damage,
 including but not limited to flooding of their vital food crops. The 
community lives off of the land, and the dam would destroy their way of
life.
Along with death threats, physical attacks, a murder, and a kidnapping in the Rio Blanco community, the 
company DESA, along with the Honduran government, launched a campaign attempting to frame COPINH (Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras) as criminals, accusing them of being violent and armed usurpers of land. On Sept 12th, three members
of COPINH will have a hearing that will decide if the case will go to 
trial. COPINH has been publicizing this story through their radio station, giving a voice to the community, taking legal steps
to defend community members, bringing in volunteers and international watch people, and
helping with food and funds to keep the blockade manageable and sustainable.