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Global Minga in Defense of Mother Earth, October 12, 2010

By John Ahni Schertow

From October 12-16, 2010, Indigenous Peoples, Social Movements, and Climate Justice Activists will converge in more than a dozen countries for the second Global Minga In Defense of Mother Earth. This year’s primary focus will be Climate and Environmental Justice.

Echoing the first Global Minga, which took place during the week of Oct. 12, 2009, protests, demonstrations, forums, sit-ins, and other actions will be carried out, states The Andean Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations (CAOI), the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) and others:

To Oppose the commodification of life (food, water, biodiversity, natural assets); the privatization of nature through the carbon market; pollution and predation (by mining, hydrocarbons, hydropower, forestry, livestock , biofuels, GMOs); consumerism and criminalization of social struggles; the persecution of migrants

To Promote the defense of land, natural wealth and spirituality linked to Mother Earth; water for future generations; collective rights; and the importance of “living well” (the need to live with nature in harmony and balance)

To Warn of the imminent danger of environmental catastrophe that threatens the planet and identify those responsible.

To Demand amnesty for all indigenous leaders, social and environmental activists who defend the rights of peoples and Mother Earth.

Among the many coalitions, networks and local groups that will take part in this Year’s Minga: Climate Justice Action! (CJA) has announced plans for a Global Day of Action for Climate Justice for Oct. 12; and Via Campesina, an International day of Action against Agribusiness and Monsanto on Oct. 16.

  • You can read the official call-out (currently available in Spanish only) at http://www.minkandina.org/index.php?news=392
  • If you want to get involved in the Global Minga, or need help organizing a local event, please contact CJA, info@climate-justice-action.org
  • You are also encouraged to add your events to the Global Week of Action for Climate Justice website. Just fill out the form at http://global.climate-justice-action.org/reports/submit/