This letter is an update from friends after the June 13th shooting of Yoli Oqueli, an activist organizing against Vancouver-based Radius Gold Inc. Español Abajo.
Dear Friends,
This has, of course, been a terribly difficult experience, and she is continuing to struggle, with the physical, emotional and spiritual aftermath. However, she describes herself as a fighter. “Ever since I was a girl, when kids picked on other kids, I stood up for them,” she says. She is determined to continue supporting the struggle for the land and water in her community of San José del Golfo, and says that above all the movement must remain peaceful: no machetes, no rocks, no violence. At the same time, she said, the people must act with determination, and wisdom. “We are gentle but not stupid.”
Yoli said how grateful she was, for all of the attention, love and prayers that have been directed towards her in these days of trial. She said, that no matter what, the struggle must continue.
“It’s not like it was in the 1980s or 1990s,” she said. “Now we know our rights, and we are going to fight for them.”
Emilie Smith and Alexandra Pedersen
ACTUALIZACIÓN, SITUACIÓN YOLI OQUELI
23 junio 2012
Querido-as Amigo-as,
Hoy tuvimos la oportunidad de ir a visitar brevemente a Yoli en la ciudad de Guatemala. Se está recuperando, está estable, pero experimentando bastante dolor. Sufrió una herida de bala, entró por su espalda, y la bala está aun cerca de su columna, entre un riñón y un pulmón. Una decisión fue tomada por los doctores no operarla, y ver cómo reacciona su cuerpo.
Por supuesto, ha sido una experiencia sumamente difícil, y sigue luchando con los efectos físicos, emocionales y espirituales. Sin embargo, ella misma dice que es una luchadora. “Desde que fui niña, cuando miraba que unos niños molestaban a otros, siempre me metía,” dice ella. Está con la convicción a seguir apoyando la lucha por la tierra y el agua en su comunidad de San José del Golfo, y dice que el movimiento tiene que mantener su compromiso con la paz: no machetes, no piedras, no violencia. Al mismo tiempo, dijo, la gente tiene que actuar con determinación y sabiduría. “Somos mansos, no mensos,” dijo.
Emilie Smith y Alexandra Pedersen
The site for the Vancouver local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.