NEWS RELEASE about SolidarityIndigenouspublié le Octobre 8, 2010 by Guadillen
Funa* (Public Denunciation) Against Former President Bachelet in Montreal-Canada
Activist in Support of the Mapuche Cause Display Banner
Marri marri pu peni ka pu lamngen
(Greetings brothers and sisters)
We are sending the Video and press release about the ‘funa’ we carried out against Michelle Bachelet in Montreal (please forward widely)
Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZykJHhG6g0
While she gave thanks for the ''Courage of Women Award'' which she had received minutes before, the former president (of Chile) was interrupted by two people who placed a banner that read "Mapuche: 85 days on hunger strike." The protesters accused the former head of state for having implemented the anti-terrorist legislation during her administration.
“Mapuches 85 jours en grève de la fair (Mapuche: 85 days on hunger strike)", said the banner that was placed by two activists of the pro Mapuche cause in front of former President Michelle Bachelet, who was making a speech to give thanks for the "Courage of Women Award" at a downtown hotel in the city of Montreal, Canada.
The 'funa', carried out by members of the Movement in Support of the Mapuche Cause (Montreal), was interrupted when two guards dragged the activists out of the room. The former president was surprised but she went on with her speech.
The demonstrators accused Bachelet of "having applied the anti-terrorism legislation inherited from Pinochet against Mapuche activists and leaders during her administration."
The "Courage of Women Award" given by Reporters Without Borders and Radio Canada to the most prominent female of the year, was created in 2009 and awarded in its first edition to Ingrid Betancourt, former Colombian hostage of the FARC.
* ‘Funar’ is Chilean slang for 'to put into evidence, disclose to the public, or reveal what is hidden.' It is a a kind of demonstration in which a group of activists go to the home or workplace of someone they want to denounce for various reasons, in order to make his or her actions known to the public via the media. They are often carried out against ex-torturers from the era of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.
Translated by: Mapuche Solidarity Collective – Unceded Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver – Canada)
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