AIM West to screen Guatemala Lives! in San Francisco
AIM-WEST to screen its latest documentary at San Francisco’s BRAVA Theater, Friday, June 1, 2012
By AIM West Censored News Watch film trailer below: SAN FRANCISCO -- AIM-WEST, a community based inter-tribal advocacy organization, cordially invites you to its premier benefit screening of the documentary “Guatemala Lives (Vive)!” directed by De La Tierra Productions filmmaker, Adrian Carrasco Zanini. The occasion will be held at the BRAVA Theater, 2781 24th Street, in San Francisco’s Mission District.
The film aptly illustrates how Indigenous peoples of Guatemala are striking a new direction in contemporary governance, and calls for transparency. Another related documentary will be shared called “Granito: How to Nail a Dictator” (English sub-titles, 103 min.) starting at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm, tickets are $10, raffle, drummers, singers, vendors, and refreshments available. The public is welcome, especially recommended for activists, students, political scientists, and Mayan families.
“Guatemala Lives (Vive)!” Is a thirty-seven minute (with English sub-titles) poignant and up-to-date account of the daily struggles of Indigenous Mayan peoples empower themselves to attain justice, self-determination, and a presence in Guatemala politics, with emphasis on the theme of participatory democracy. The film attempts to utilize the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Article #18) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, to chronicle the actions of several current social movements that are demanding answers to an unending list of demands for justice, an end to economic disparity, and their right to be dully represented in local and national governments.
“Guatemala Lives!” introduces the newly formed WINAQ movement, the first Indigenous peoples’ political party that had Nobel Prize winner Dr. Rigoberta Menchu Tum as presidential candidate in the 2011 elections, and two other progressive political organizations (Frente Amplio); the HIJOS movement that seeks to punish those responsible for the killings and disappearances of thousands of Guatemalans during a thirty-year armed conflict that ended with the 1992 peace accords; and, success stories and small victories of progressive movements such as the forming of peasant and Indigenous people’s farming cooperatives, the pro-dwelling movements in and around Guatemala City, the efforts of local communities and human rights organization to find their family remains and bring to justice those responsible, primarily the military and police forces that conducted a policy of murder and elimination of peasant and Indigenous populations, and the youth response to their lack of a future in a outdated and obsolete form of government.
“Granito: How To Nail a Dictator” was initially screened at the Sundance Film Festival and one year after the release of the film, the ex-dictator of Guatemala, General Efrain Rios Montt, was brought up on charges of genocide in a Guatemalan court, and placed under house arrest. This historic event in the quest for justice in Guatemala resulted from decades of work by many, many people and the indictment was based on overwhelming evidence in the form of military documents, exhumation reports, photos and footage from this film linking Rios Montt directly to hundreds of deaths and disappearances.
The defense argued that Rios Montt did not have command responsibility over his Army officers in the highlands, and that he was not responsible for the massacres. This is belied by a clip from “Granito” that the prosecution and the Guatemalan media used to show the general taking command responsibility, saying: “If I don’t control the army, then who does?”
Come and support the local activities of the American Indian Movement!
Freedom for Leonard Peltier, NOW! DVD’s of “Guatemala Lives!” will be available for a donation at the event. AIM-WEST is a non-profit organization, your generous support is especially appreciated.
Wheel-chair accessible, alcohol and drug free event.
www.aimovement.org www.whoisleonardpeltier.info For more information: 415-577-1492 www.aimwest.info www.brava.org
Nación Ayamara Quechua, Pais/estado Bolivia, Felix Lira Condori-Mallku, David Crispin-Lider Ayamara, Somas Dee, Concejo, Nacional, de Ayllus, y Markas, del Qullasuyu, Conamaq-Bolivia
Delegate Representatives of Indigenous Nations and NGO's from around the globe
Over the weekend in New York City delegate representatives of Indigenous nations and NGO's from around the globe are making plans to participate at the United Nation's 11th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, May 7-18, 2012
American Indian Movement-WEST, and Aupuni Hawai'i also announced hosting a reception on Wednesday, May 9, at UN Church, 777 UN Plaza (across from UN Hq) 2 nd Flr from 6:15 to 9 pm.
The cultural reception will celebrate the 43rd anniversary of founding of AIM, the 5th year of the adoption of UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and calling for the release of political prisoner Leonard Peltier. There will be lot's of food, speakers, traditional drum and dance, songs, and a film trailer (20 min.) documentary with Mayan voices on participatory democracy in Guatemala.
Members of the Permanent Forum, NGO's, funders and government representatives are especially invited to attend. Call 415-577-1492 for more information.
Last Updated on Monday, 07 May 2012 00:31
US should return stolen land to Indian tribes, says United Nations
UN's correspondent on indigenous peoples urges government to act to combat 'racial discrimination' felt by Native Americans
Chris McGreal in Washington guardian.co.uk, Friday 4 May 2012 18.46 EDT
A Native American at his home on Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, which has some of the US's poorest living conditions. Photograph: Jennifer Brown/Star Ledger/Corbis
A United Nations investigator probing discrimination against Native Americans has called on the US government to return some of the land stolen from Indian tribes as a step toward combatting continuing and systemic racial discrimination.
James Anaya, the UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, said no member of the US Congress would meet him as he investigated the part played by the government in the considerable difficulties faced by Indian tribes.
Anaya said that in nearly two weeks of visiting Indian reservations, indigenous communities in Alaska and Hawaii, and Native Americans now living in cities, he encountered people who suffered a history of dispossession of their lands and resources, the breakdown of their societies and "numerous instances of outright brutality, all grounded on racial discrimination".
Press Release AIM-WEST delegates approved to attend annual United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in New York May 7-18, 2012. The UN Permanent Forum’s special theme for this year is “The Doctrine of Discovery: It’s enduring impact on Indigenous peoples and the right to redress for past conquests (articles 28 and 37 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples).
AIM-WEST, a non-profit human rights based organization in San Francisco, received notice from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) that it approved (7) delegate representatives to participate at the annual conference next month.
AIM-WEST anticipates (pending) approval to conduct a side-event, or workshop, during this year’s UN PFII entitled, “Doctrine of Discovery; A Question of Genocide”. The workshop will review the history of genocide in the Americas and Pacific region, to the present crimes of genocide. It will explore Indigenous peoples exclusion from the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) and its relevancy today in light of the recently adopted UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP).
The AIM-WEST side-event will utilize a study by UN Special Rapporteur Bartolome Clavero Salvador, entitled “International criminal law and the judicial defence of Indigenous peoples’ rights”, submitted to the UNPFII at its tenth session (E/C.19/2011/4), as a catalyst to explore and identify obstacles for recourse in terms of international criminal protection for Indigenous peoples. A representative from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC)are also expected to attend. The format for the side-event will include presentations followed by discussion, question and answer.
In addition, AIM-WEST will host a reception Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at UN Church Building, 2nd Floor, 777 UN Plaza, from 6:15 to 9 pm (across from the UN). The Invited guests, fellow NGO’s and Government representatives are called to acknowledge the 43 year anniversary of American Indian Movement (AIM), ten year anniversary and achievements of the Permanent Forum, including the DRIP, attention to death penalty and for political prisoners, and Leonard Peltier “Walk for Human Rights”. The evening includes a short screening of “Guatemala Vive!” with Q&A, and Silver Cloud Drum, and Song, snacks, and refreshments.
See AIM-WEST website for details.
For more information: 415-577-1492 www.aimwest.info www.aimovement.org www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
AIM-WEST, UNA, youth, elders, Occupy, others at Oakland Coliseum demonstrated Saturday against mascots in sports, Cleveland Indian's game against A's. Another opportunity to join us will be at 12 noon, Sunday, April 22, game time is 1:05. pm. Photo by John Garvey, (GSA) supporter/volunteer
Chief Terrance Nelson from Manitoba Canada will be AIM special guest in bay area Nov.21-23. He will speak about the threat tar sands poses for his peoples, and approximately 2 million more people (dependent on clean water aquifer) all along the 1,7000 mile pipeline construction to the ports at gulf of Mexico.
Vietnam veteran AIM-WEST director Tony Gonzales, joins Paul Cox, Hal Muskat and Veteran's for Peace at SF City Hall 11/11/11, to ''Call for Peace' on Vet's Day, in memory of those who sacrificed their lives and to honor the living...Scot Olsen, Brian Wilson, and countless others still on duty, who still give life and limb for civil society, still serving their country...bring the troops home! Stay Strong!
The streaming video from the Berkeley City Council works well if you have a fast computer and connection, if not be patient Video of Berkeley City Council
The 3 articles below are in PDF format we will get them up in a different format soon.
Political Prisoners
American Indian Movement Anthem
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