As governments and their police forces continue to crack down on resource rights activists, Grassroots International's allies are more frequently finding themselves in serious danger, often criminalized for organizing for justice. That is the case once again for Sara Lopez and Joaquín Aguilar from Campeche, Mexico. On July 10th, Sara and Joaquín were arrested, along with three other members of the Mexican Alliance for People's Self-Determination (AMAP). In addition, twenty-eight other members of their community face possible arrest.  

Your past support of Sara and Joaquín has been instrumental in protecting their human rights - and I hope you will step up once again to appeal to authorities on their behalf now.  

At the time of the arrest, none of the AMAP members were informed the reasons for their detention, and they were not allowed to report their whereabouts to their relatives or lawyers until six hours later. On July 16th, all five were ordered to state prison, where they still remain. While in prison, Sara has been denied adequate medical treatment for fever and conjunctivitis.

The targeting of Sara and Joaquín is a result of their leadership in opposing an increase in the price of electricity services, which has sky-rocketed alongside climbing oil prices and the construction of a hydroelectric dam. While the government subsidizes the cost of electric power for large, energy-dependent agribusiness corporations, the people are left to foot the bill. At the same time, increasing privatization of land and water resources - including our common resources - to produce agrofuels and hydropower diminishes the capacity of rural and indigenous families to produce food and income.  

Thanks to letters you sent on behalf of Sara, Joaquín, and other members of AMAP earlier this year, the electric company sat down to negotiate with them. Unfortunately, the terms were one-sided, essentially promising to stop targeting Sara and Joaquín if they would stop organizing. Clearly, they refused and are now paying the price, imprisoned as a result of unfounded and politically motivated criminal charges that resulted from complaints filed by the electric company. 

Just as these activists refuse to set aside their demands for justice, we must continue to take action and stand in solidarity with them. Please send your letter now - and also mobilize friends to send letters to the Mexican authorities. As always, thank you for your ongoing commitment to social justice and resource rights.

Sincerely,
Nikhil Aziz
Executive Director, Grassroots International