Mexico's Indigenous Raramuris Still Awaiting Justice After 85 Years Patricia Mayorga - Proceso
go to original March 2, 2013

CHIHUAHUA, Chihuahua - On Friday, about 200 indigenous Rarámuris from the communities of Bekéachi, Wawatzérare-Bakuséachi, Chinéachi and Narárachi in the municipality of Carichí marked the third anniversary of the death of their defender Ernesto Rábago Martinez, who was assassinated on March 1, 2010 in this capital city. They held a march and a Mass in which they demanded clarification of the crime and denounced the harassment of which they are victims at the hands of "mestizo caciques" [mixed race, local political bosses] who threaten to take away their land.

They also celebrated the 85th anniversary of the founding of the community of Beaqueachi that fights for the preservation of its forests and for possession of their lands, which they have inhabited since ancient times.

"We do not want food pantries, we hunger for justice", chanted the two hundred indigenous during the march marking the anniversary of the death of one of their leaders.

The Raramuri had traveled to the capital of Chihuahua to demand justice for their land, and for the murder of lawyer and activist Rábago Martinez. The celebration began with a Mass presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Tarahumara, Rafael Sandoval Sandoval, who urged them to continue in the defense and protection of freedom, land, unity and identity.

"You should care for and defend your land from the very ambitious, bad people because it is yours, because you are the original peoples of Chihuahua. Protect the trees from the very ambitious, bad people who want to take the little timber that the mountains have. Take care not to grow the harmful grass, marijuana, because those who plant it have made money their god, and whoever does so are people who are going to kill," said the bishop.

Sandoval warned that according to experts, the Sierra Tarahumara is "at the zero point", which is "when they say it is about to become an irreversible desert."

After Mass at the Holy Family Church, they walked to the Palace of Government, "so that our brothers of Chihuahua know we exist and that we demand justice."

For 18 years, the Bakéachi ejido [community of communally owned land] has defended its territory in the agricultural court against mestizo farmers of [the towns of] Nonoava and Carichí,  said Estela Ángeles Mondragón, community lawyer and widow of Ernesto Rabago.

She recalled that last year the government returned 12,000 hectares [29,653] of land to indigenous Bakéachi. However, she regretted that now it is already being invaded, and said that with this situation the indigenous are living under threats and harassment from local political bosses, Jesus Maria Sandoval, Abraham Palma, Armando Sandoval and Socorro Olivas.

The lawyer said that the Rarámuri have been carrying out resistance for 85 years, in a constant struggle to defend their territory.

"We protest that there have been no clearly defined legal actions by the federal, state or local authorities involved in these matters to resolve land conflicts, but on the contrary, they have often been negligent and sometimes have impeded the implementation of justice," the leaders of the community said.

Regarding the murder of Ernesto Rabago, there have been no advances, nor has anyone been held responsible.

"We do not come to ask for korima (money, alms); we do not come to be seen from above, we are here to demand justice and respect," they stressed.

In front of  the Government Palace, the indigenous group danced their traditional dance "Pharisee" where soldiers symbolically fight against Pharisees, a traditional ceremony enacted during Lent and Easter.

"For us to dance is to live, to pray, to celebrate and build community. We are not here for tourists; we are not here for them to take pictures of us for the newspapers. We are here because we want to tell everyone that we demand what belongs to us, to say thank you (matétera ba) to those who help us and to remind everyone that justice is required, that it is our right to protest and that repression of our demands is a crime," said Jose Ventura Juan, second governor of Bakéachi.

Moreover, the bishop of the Sierra Tarahumara, Rafael Sandoval Sandoval, denounced that in this region of Chihuahua there are places that are impassable because they are under control of organized crime.

"Regarding the security of the country, the government is making good attempts, putting their efforts in an important field. But unfortunately insecurity continues, " he said without much explanation.

He noted that the people who live in the mountains are still very afraid to reclaim the spaces that were theirs, and that fear is both the cause and effect of violence in many cases. The bishop said that this is not a problem just of organized crime, but a social and institutional one, as well.

He also warned that nobody is going to stop the work of the Church, because it is a difficult ministry, but they are convinced of the choice they have made.

"Since I chose this life, my work is full of joy, nobody obligated me," said the bishop.

See Spanish original

Posted by Reed Brundage at Mexico Voices

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