En el mundo agobiado por la crueldad y el irrespeto a la vida humana, asoma la lucecita de la re-humanización de Guatemala y la preocupación por revisar la historia de la segunda mitad del siglo veinte, que dejó un legado de atrocidades cometidas en nombre de la guerra contra el comunismo.
El terror institucionalizado y la narcodictadura no lograron sofocar los ímpetus democráticos ni la agenda modernizadora del nacionalismo revolucionario que apostó por la paz con justicia y el respeto a la dignidad humana.
El reclamo colectivo sigue creciendo y al igual que en otras partes del mundo, las muchedumbres repudian los abusos, la corrupción y la enajenación de recursos por parte de la minoría que en muchas partes apuesta por la violencia y ha renunciado a la ética y a la diplomacia.
La acumulación de agravios hizo que creciera la configuración interclasista e intercultural que ve con mucha esperanza el plan de gobierno del presidente electo Bernardo Arévalo, cabeza del nuevo “arevalismo”, con el cual el país centroamericano se apresta a empezar a desmantelar el modelo neocolonial que se encuentra en su fase terminal, y es internacionalmente conocido por el espíritu retrógrado de sus elites, sus bajos índices de desarrollo humano y por la descomposición institucional que incide en la operación deficitaria de los servicios públicos.
Destaca en esta gesta ciudadana el protagonismo de la coalición de autoridades indígenas que por primera vez en la historia moderna guatemalteca está liderando un bloque político nacional que incluye a pobladores urbanos mestizos populares y de capas medias.
La ancestralidad, espíritu de servicio y eficacia de las formas de gobierno indígena, contrastan con los enredos leguleyos de la clica narcofeudal que se resiste al advenimiento de una Guatemala más humana.
El Concejo Municipal de Milpitas aprobó por unanimidad los planes para demoler un edificio industrial vacío y reemplazarlo con 206 casas adosadas y apartamentos. Los 75 apartamentos serían asequibles y la mayoría serían viviendas laborales para maestros.
El plan de un distrito escolar de Milpitas para ayudar a sus empleados a vivir donde trabajan está dando frutos.
El Concejo Municipal de Milpitas aprobó por unanimidad el martes los planes para demoler un edificio industrial vacío de un piso en 6.69 acres de terreno en 1355 California Circle y reemplazarlo con 206 casas adosadas y apartamentos. Los 75 apartamentos serían asequibles y la mayoría estarían destinados a empleados del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Milpitas. El proyecto está siendo diseñado y desarrollado por Pulte Group.
Los concejales elogiaron el proyecto para aumentar el parque de viviendas asequibles de la ciudad: Milpitas necesita agregar más de 6 mil 700 viviendas para 2031 para cumplir con los requisitos estatales.
“Este proyecto está muy retrasado, ha tardado mucho en llegar”, dijo la alcaldesa Carmen Montaño en la reunión. “Conozco a Pulte, construyes casas de muy alta calidad y eso es lo que queremos en Milpitas”.
Como parte de la aprobación del proyecto, el ayuntamiento eliminó ciertos requisitos del Plan General de la ciudad. El plan pedía viviendas 100 por ciento asequibles y la creación de un plan de zonificación específico para el vecindario California Circle.
El director interino de planificación, Jay Lee, dijo a los concejales que el requisito de viviendas 100 por ciento asequibles limitaría el desarrollo futuro.
El concejal Hon Lien, quien sirvió seis años como administrador de la junta escolar, dijo que tener estas viviendas aliviará una pesada carga a los empleados del distrito. Los maestros han abandonado el Área de la Bahía debido al creciente costo de vida en la región.
“Me gustaría retener buenos maestros en nuestro buen distrito”, dijo Lien a San Jose Spotlight. “Los niños son el futuro de nuestro mundo y necesitamos maestros para enseñar”.
El presidente de la Junta del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Milpitas, Chris Norwood, dijo que construir viviendas es vital para mantener a los maestros en la región.
“Los desarrolladores de viviendas regionales tienen una oportunidad única de invertir tiempo, talento y tesoro en los sistemas de educación pública de las comunidades que los han apoyado”, dijo Norwood a San Jose Spotlight.
El distrito escolar tiene una tasa de deserción de entre el 10 y el 15 por ciento para sus más de mil empleados. Norwood dijo que el objetivo del distrito es reducir eso a la mitad, y proporcionar recursos como vivienda ayudaría a retener y apoyar mejor a los empleados entrantes.
Jim Sullivan, representante de Pulte, presentó el proyecto en la reunión. Dijo que debería comenzar a construirse a principios del próximo año.
Los concejales discutieron cuándo podrían ocuparse los apartamentos durante el transcurso del desarrollo. La recomendación inicial de la ciudad fue retener una parte de la recepción de certificados de ocupación hasta que se completara la parte de viviendas asequibles.
Sullivan dijo que esto causaría al desarrollador una inmensa tensión financiera, porque la finalización de todo el proyecto llevará más de dos años. Lee dijo que retener una parte de las viviendas incentivaría al constructor a completar las viviendas asequibles. Pero los concejales no estuvieron de acuerdo y se pusieron del lado de Pulte para permitir que se ocuparan viviendas a precio de mercado antes de que comience la construcción de viviendas asequibles.
Pulte Group es un constructor de viviendas a nivel nacional con proyectos en todo California, y los concejales señalaron la reputación del desarrollador como garantía de que se completará la parte de viviendas asequibles.
“Parece que son una fuerza que llegó para quedarse, para invertir en Milpitas. Estamos muy agradecidos por esa inversión”, dijo el concejal Anthony Phan. “Esperamos que su experiencia con nosotros haya sido positiva y que continúe invirtiendo enormemente en nuestra comunidad”.
Autoridades del condado de San Mateo han llamado a la paciencia de sus residentes por los cierres de calles y carreteras, desvíos y retrasos que se han llevado a cabo desde este pasado sábado, mientras los líderes mundiales y otros llegan al Área de la Bahía para la cumbre APEC en San Francisco. Foto: X @APEC
Autoridades del condado de San Mateo han llamado a la paciencia de sus residentes por los cierres de calles y carreteras, desvíos y retrasos que se han llevado a cabo desde este pasado sábado, mientras los líderes mundiales y otros llegan al Área de la Bahía para la conferencia de Cooperación Económica Asia-Pacífico (APEC), que se lleva a cabo en San Francisco.
Y es que, se esperan aproximadamente 30 mil asistentes a la conferencia, incluidos jefes de estado de las 21 economías miembros, dignatarios, delegados y miembros de los medios de comunicación, para la Semana de Líderes Económicos de APEC del 11 al 17 de noviembre.
La Casa Blanca ha confirmado que asistirá el presidente Joseph Biden.
Si bien San Francisco es la ciudad anfitriona, se esperan docenas de eventos y giras oficiales y no oficiales en toda la región.
El Condado está activando su Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia como ubicación centralizada para apoyar las necesidades locales y ayudar a los socios regionales según sea necesario.
San Francisco International Airport is expected to be the main gateway for attendees.
“Podemos esperar numerosas caravanas de vehículos, así como cierres a corto plazo en las autopistas que van desde SFO a San Francisco”, señaló Shruti Dhapodkar, directora del Departamento de Manejo de Emergencias del condado.
“Instamos a cualquier persona que conduzca o tome transporte público durante APEC, especialmente en el norte del condado, a que espere retrasos y consulte 511.org y otras fuentes para obtener información en tiempo real sobre retrasos”, solicitó.
Se espera que la Administración Federal de Aviación establezca una zona de exclusión aérea de 30 millas alrededor del Aeropuerto Internacional de San Francisco que prohíba la mayoría de las actividades de vuelos no comerciales por motivos de seguridad. Sin embargo, los residentes pueden esperar una mayor actividad militar, policial y de vuelos en helicóptero. Los negocios en los aeropuertos de San Carlos y Half Moon Bay permanecerán abiertos.
Con las tensiones aún altas por el conflicto entre Israel y Hamás en el Medio Oriente, funcionarios de la Universidad Estatal de California están ofreciendo recursos para reducir tensión e incidentes de odio en campus universitarios del estado.
Con las tensiones aún altas en los campus universitarios por el conflicto entre Israel y Hamás en el Medio Oriente, funcionarios de la Universidad Estatal de California están ofreciendo recursos e interactuando con más estudiantes para aliviar el ambiente en los campus.
“El CSU condena en los términos más enérgicos el terrorismo, incluidos los horribles actos cometidos por Hamás el 7 de octubre”, dijo la canciller de Cal State, Mildred García, durante una reunión de directivos el martes de la semana pasada.
“Son odio y actos de violencia sin sentido, y son la antítesis de nuestros valores fundamentales. La pérdida de vidas inocentes en Israel y la Franja de Gaza es desgarradora, y nuestro más profundo y alentador pésame está con todos los afectados por esta horrible tragedia”.
La oficina del canciller también entregó un informe el miércoles a la junta directiva del CSU destacando los crímenes e incidentes de odio que tuvieron lugar el año pasado, al tiempo que enfatiza el trabajo que estaba haciendo para enfrentar los prejuicios y el extremismo en todo el sistema universitario público más grande del país.
El informe dio a los fideicomisarios la oportunidad de conocer qué están haciendo ahora los campus y la oficina del rector para abordar los conflictos, manifestaciones e incidentes en los campus relacionados con el conflicto de Oriente Medio.
El número de incidentes de odio reportados dentro del sistema de Cal State es relativamente bajo en los 23 campus con más de 460 mil estudiantes y 56 mil profesores y personal. Sin embargo, hubo un ligero aumento en los incidentes de 2021 a 2022. Al 31 de diciembre de 2022, los datos más recientes disponibles, se cometieron 13 delitos de odio y seis actos de violencia relacionados con el odio en todo el sistema CSU. Las cifras reflejan que el año pasado se cometieron seis incidentes más de odio y violencia que el año anterior.
Melinda Latas, directora de CSU a cargo del cumplimiento y la divulgación de seguridad del campus para el sistema universitario, dijo que la violencia de odio incluye incidentes como destrucción de propiedad y amenazas verbales de fuerza, o violencia física contra una persona o grupo de personas, que no cumplir con la definición de delito de odio según la ley de California.
El tipo de incidente más común fueron las agresiones físicas, seguidas de la intimidación y otras amenazas de daño físico, dijo Latas, y añadió que el prejuicio se basaba más comúnmente en la orientación sexual, seguido de la raza y el origen étnico.
El aumento con respecto a 2021 también se debe probablemente a que se reportaron menos incidentes en los campus durante 2020 y 2021 debido a la pandemia de COVID-19, dijo Latas, y agregó que para 2023, la mayoría de los campus hasta ahora no han visto un aumento en los incidentes de odio.
Latas dijo que los campus de CSU quieren ser un ejemplo y líder para otras universidades sobre cómo manejar las tensiones elevadas sobre temas religiosos, raciales y otros temas políticos. La oficina del canciller dijo que los líderes del campus han ofrecido apoyo a los estudiantes judíos y a las casas Hillel, así como a grupos de estudiantes palestinos y musulmanes. Hay servicios de asesoramiento disponibles y los campus alientan a las personas a denunciar incidentes de prejuicio o discriminación.
Una revisión preliminar de los crímenes de odio en el campus estatal de San José desde el 1 de enero revela que solo se reportaron dos incidentes. Tras el ataque de Hamás a Israel a principios de octubre, el campus también acogió dos protestas y mítines pacíficos, cada uno con puntos de vista divergentes, dijo Cynthia Teniente-Matson, presidenta de SJSU.
“Algunos encontraron (las protestas) controvertidas y tenían el potencial de conducir a actividades disruptivas basadas en el odio”, precisó. “El campus tomó medidas de precaución”.
Esos pasos incluyeron trabajar con las autoridades locales y activar planes para amenazas a la seguridad pública.
“Afortunadamente, no tuvimos que recurrir a ellos”, dijo Teniente-Matson, y agregó que ha estado interactuando constantemente con estudiantes, profesores, personal y líderes comunitarios desde que se reavivó el conflicto en Medio Oriente.
Dijo que, la naturaleza de los incidentes reportados en el campus del Área Sur de la Bahía desde el 7 de octubre han sido “principalmente temores y preocupaciones sobre la seguridad personal, que yo y otros miembros de mi gabinete hemos tomado en serio y respondido con prudencia”. El Departamento de Policía Universitaria aumentó el número de agentes y patrullas en el campus e investigó informes de circunstancias sospechosas.
Según el Centro para el Estudio del Odio y el Extremismo de Cal State San Bernardino, la violencia contra personas de diferentes religiones ha aumentado a nivel nacional. Un informe de 2023 del centro encontró que los informes de delitos de odio contra la religión aumentaron un 27 por ciento en las principales ciudades estadounidenses en 2022, con 470 delitos de odio religioso contra judíos y 50 contra musulmanes.
El informe explica que el antisemitismo ha aumentado a nivel nacional en los últimos años debido a la propagación del conspiracionismo, el nacionalismo religioso y el sentimiento antigubernamental.
“Existe una preocupación generalizada de que estas cifras puedan aumentar dramáticamente con la respuesta que estamos viendo a los acontecimientos en el Medio Oriente en este momento”, expresó Rafik Mohamed, rector del CSUSB, y agregó que los afroamericanos siguen siendo el grupo objetivo de crímenes de odio con mayor frecuencia.
Los crímenes de odio contra los estadounidenses de origen asiático también han aumentado desde el inicio de la pandemia, afirmó.
“Estos no son sólo actos individuales de odio, sino ataques fundamentales a nuestra democracia”, afirmó Mohamed. “Los ataques orientados a la religión están aumentando de manera preocupante, al igual que los ataques basados en la identidad de género y la orientación sexual”.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the CaliFornia State Library.
Se espera que llegue el primer gran río atmosférico de la temporada en el Área de la Bahía, una tormenta que traerá hasta cinco centímetros de lluvia desde el condado de el Marin hasta Santa Cruz.
Entre el martes y el jueves de la próxima semana se espera que llegue el primer gran río atmosférico de la temporada en el Área de la Bahía, una tormenta que traerá hasta cinco centímetros de lluvia desde el condado de el Marin hasta Santa Cruz, informó el National Weather Service.
La tormenta esperada sigue un sistema de baja presión que es procedente del Golfo de Alaska, y se prevé que descienda por la Costa Oeste, ello como parte de un patrón activo y progresivo que podría durar hasta mediados de mes.
“Algunos de los picos más altos de las montañas de Santa Cruz y la costa de Sonoma podrían recibir aún más (cantidad de lluvia)”, dijo el meteorólogo del NWS Dalton Behringer. “Parece que va a golpear a todo el mundo, incluso al sur como Big Sur y la Costa Central”.
Este fenómeno meteorológico se dará en el marco de la conferencia de Cooperación Económica Asia-Pacífico (APEC) 2023, que se llevará a cabo del 11 al 17 de noviembre en San Francisco, el cual podría verse afectado por el clima, trayendo interrupciones en el tráfico y el transporte público, ya que los líderes mundiales se reúnen en la ciudad para el evento de alta seguridad.
Mientras vemos como se acerca la temporada de frío y nieve, se espera que el río atmosférico deje caer abundante nieve en Sierra Nevada, aunque aún no hay garantías de esto.
El cambio climático puede hacer que estos diluvios sean hasta un 37 por ciento más húmedos, según un estudio realizado en junio de 2022 por científicos del clima del Área de la Bahía.
Behringer asegura que no se puede prevenir exactamente lo que viene, pero por ahora no se esperan inundaciones generalizadas de esta tormenta; y aunque existe un patrón activo en la atmósfera, no es seguro que las demás tormentas continúen de la misma manera.
“Podemos decir que las cosas van a venir, pero es casi imposible precisar los detalles de exactamente qué tan fuertes serán o dónde se establecerán”, dijo Behringer. “Pero éste será el primer gran acontecimiento de la temporada”.
Ante ello, el meteorólogo aconseja a los californianos que presten mucha atención a los informes meteorológicos a medida que avance la tormenta, y que preparen sus casas para lo que podría ser la primera de muchas tormentas en toda el Área de la Bahía este otoño e invierno.
“Mantenerse al día con el pronóstico en este momento es la mejor preparación que puede hacer”, señaló Behringer. “Todavía estamos dando los últimos retoques a los cambios en la previsión”, pero es importante mantenerse informado.
A report details how the United States is suffering an avoidable civil rights and health equity disaster, six months after the cancellation of pandemic-era Medicaid continued eligibility requirements.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), UnidosUS, and nine other leading civil rights organizations released a report detailing how the United States is suffering an avoidable civil rights and health equity disaster, six months after the cancellation of pandemic-era Medicaid continued eligibility requirements.
At a press conference, Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, noted how the health care system has failed the most vulnerable people for years, until the COVID-19 pandemic brought medical needs to the forefront.
“It is a sad reality that it took a global pandemic for our nation’s elected leaders to expand life-saving health care services to hard-working Americans. The fact is that our health care system has long failed the most vulnerable,” Johnson said.
She said the data in the report “is further proof that the Medicaid disenrollment process is riddled with racism.”
“We will not stand by as millions within our community are once again left without a lifeline. We are proud to stand with UnidosUS and other leading civil rights organizations in urging an immediate pause on all Medicaid disenrollments.”
In that regard, she stressed that state leaders must do everything possible to re-enroll those who have lost coverage, by leveraging available data to verify eligibility or by providing easily accessible support to complete the paperwork necessary to confirm eligibility.
The disenrollment has led to the deepest and steepest Medicaid decline in history, with nearly 8 million people losing coverage in just six months, he noted.
Additionally, the report found that three-quarters of people who lost coverage were fired for procedural reasons, most often due to simple paperwork issues.
As a result of this research, civil rights organizations are calling on states to suspend expungements until a new process is implemented that would dramatically reduce expungement rates.
While few states have shared disenrollment data by race and ethnicity, based on known demographic characteristics of Medicaid beneficiaries in each state, at least 54 percent of beneficiaries who have lost Medicaid are people of color, the analysis found.
The report's findings also showed that disenrollment has caused more children to lose Medicaid coverage than ever before.
The NAACP co-authored the report with the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Council of Black Women, the National Urban League, the National Urban Indian Health Council, the Southern Poverty Law Center and UnidosUS, and the Coalition on Human Needs and Protecting Our Care.
The report can be consulted by clicking Click here.
The Latino Committee invites all residents and those from neighboring communities not to miss the first Mexican wrestling event in East Palo Alto. (From left to right: Ruben Abrica, former mayor of East Palo Alto, Elvira Macias, Patricia Farias and Edwin Cuellar, president of the Latino Committee). Photo: Marvin Bámaca P360P
The East Palo Alto Latino Committee (EPA) has organized its first Mexican wrestling event, inviting all its residents and neighboring communities not to miss this recreational event that aims to bring families together and motivate Latin culture.
“Today we want to extend a great invitation to the first Lucha Libre festival in the city of East Palo Alto. A wrestling festival has never been held in this city before, and thanks to the Latin Committee, it is being held for the first time. So, you can’t miss it,” said Edwin Cuellar, president of the Latin Committee.
The event presentation was attended by wrestlers such as: Comando Infernal, Roquero del Diablo, Payaso de Rodeo, and Proyecto X, among others.
“A wrestling festival has never been held in this city before, and thanks to the Latin Committee, it is being held for the first time. So, you can’t miss it,” said Edwin Cuellar, president of the Latin Committee. Photo: Marvin Bámaca P360P
“First of all, it is a sport, because many people actually think it is not, but even though it is something violent, it is actually called wrestling. Everything takes time to learn it, what we want to promote first is the culture, the sport and, most importantly, to bring all Latinos together,” Cuellar said.
This fun event will take place on November 18th at Costano Elementary School, located at 2695 Fordham St, East Palo Alto, of from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $55. To purchase tickets, go to Click here.
In addition to enjoying this spectacular wrestling match, attendees will be able to sample a variety of cuisine such as tacos, churros, fruit and much more.
For the new generations What is the Latin Committee?
“The Latino Committee was formed in 1981. We held information forums on immigration, police, education… But then in 1985 we started to organize May 5th in the community and since then it has become a big event, a big regional festival that has grown a lot,” recalled Rubén Abrica, a member of the Latino Committee, in an interview with Península 360 Press.
For her part, Elvira Macias, who is also part of this committee, pointed out that, in recent years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, “we made some videos so that they could come in and enjoy May 5 from their homes, we did it for two years. We were part of the 40th anniversary that it had here in Palo Alto this year and we also participated in the music festival event.”
Elvira Macias, who is also part of this committee, said that in recent years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Latino Committee made a series of videos so that people could celebrate May 5 from their homes. Photo: Marvin Bámaca P360P
The event on May 5, he said, is family-oriented, so there is no alcohol or similar products, as it is designed so that the entire family: grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren, can enjoy a healthy environment.
What is the objective of the Latin Committee?
""So far, I think the new generations have continued. The idea was that the Latino community was not only the Mexican or Central American community, but any Latino person," recalled the former mayor of the city.
Ruben Abrica, former mayor of East Palo Alto, said the Committee will continue to move forward, with new members joining each year. “That's the beauty of the Latino Committee, we are a non-profit volunteer group, but we are also good at raising funds for the event.” Photo: Marvin Bámaca P360P
The idea, he stressed, was “to hold a public festival in the park at least once a year so that children, youth, adults and seniors could celebrate their culture and music, speak Spanish, English, Spanglish, enjoy meals and socialize, but at a community level, because that is something very healthy, and I think that over the years it helps people to have a certain unity, at least that of living together,” he stressed.
Abrica said the Committee will continue to move forward, with new members joining each year. “That’s the beauty of the Latino Committee, we are a non-profit group of volunteers, but we are also good at raising funds for the event.
The first Mexican wrestling event will be held in East Palo Alto on Saturday, November 18th.
Gaitán al Aire: DJ Simon Mejia in a musical set inspired by organic electronic sounds at the Jorge Eliecer Gaitan Theater in the Bay. Photo: Alejandro Melendez
Bogotá, Colombia. November 10, 2023.- The Bogotá Planetarium, located in the epicenter of the city, was the setting for the IV “Breathe Art” Forum, an event that fused art with the urgent need to address the climate crisis, a project of the District Institute of the Arts (Idartes).
For five intense days, actors from the artistic and cultural sector reflected on the environmental implications of artistic practices. This fourth edition of the forum focused on projecting possible futures of artistic practice within the framework of environmental sustainability.
On the first day, there was a unique conversation between Simón Mejía, influencer Marce La Recicladora and moderator Jorge Melguizo at the “Voices of art for environmental sustainability” panel. At the end, we were able to conduct an exclusive interview with Mejía, where we delved into his fascinating world as the musical genius behind the innovative Colombian band, Bomba Estéreo.
The conversation was revealing, as he shared his unique vision on the struggle of indigenous and Afro-descendant people in Colombia; from the autonomy granted by the 1992 Constitution, to current challenges, Mejía highlighted the ancestral harmony of indigenous communities with nature and advocated for a balance between ways of life.
Jorge Melguizo, Marcela La Recicladora and Simón Mejía during the panel “Voices of art for environmental sustainability” of the IV Respira el Arte Forum at the Bogotá Planetarium. Photo: Alejandro Meléndez
***
Gaitán al Aire: DJ Simon Mejia in a musical set inspired by organic electronic sounds at the Jorge Eliecer Gaitan Theater in the Bay. Photo: Alejandro Melendez
Alejandro Melendez: In the work you are doing and, above all, in the documentaries you told us about (Guardianas and Yuma), what is the struggle of the indigenous and Afro-descendant inhabitants in these areas like and how have you seen it?
Simon Mejia: Yes, well here in Colombia, fortunately, since the Constitution was changed in 1992, a lot of autonomy in governance was given to minority communities, mainly Afro and indigenous communities, which were already organized. But let's say that, from the government, they were given a space to have their own governance, because ultimately they, especially the indigenous communities, not because we are in a context of climate change and a fashion about climate change, but because they have been doing it ancestrally. The indigenous people live with nature in a harmonious way, so really they, within their ancestry, have a lot to teach us in white culture.
As for governance, although it is not easy, especially because there are many conflicts in Colombia, including drug trafficking that directly attacks these communities, let's say yes, there is a lot of progress made in terms of laws and in terms of their spaces so that they can protect the territories where they have lived for centuries before us, but it is not easy because the government, the governments of the world, work under a different system.
Before, maybe the two systems clash a bit, but I feel that the way is to find a point, a bridge between the two, between both ways of life: we learn from them and they join the world and the devastating economic system in which we live, find a balance in which the main affected by this is not the earth. From this imbalance that we live in this system, then they are the ones from whom we have to learn. But, here in Colombia, in the particular case of these communities, their work is at risk all the time because they are precisely facing these economic interests and often crime, especially drug trafficking that occurs in these places. So, it is not an easy task, it is a task where they put their lives in danger.
A.M: How can we convince governments to change their forms of government? Because we are seeing that those who really govern are now the transnational companies that are present all over the world.
In Mexico, most of the areas where land defenders and journalists are killed are linked to a transnational corporation. We have a colleague, Samir Flores, who was a land defender as well as a journalist, and he was killed for fighting against a thermoelectric plant financed by Spanish transnational corporations.
So how do we start to create this awareness in governments so that they understand that transnationals have to be regulated? There is the example of YouTube, which claims to be a free place, but in reality it is not; it also restricts many things, especially when there are social struggles. How do we make this transition so that the government is aware of the role that these transnationals play?
YE:The transnationals depend directly on the economic model and consumption in which we live. The only way to regulate this, beyond the government, is for us, as a civil society, to regulate ourselves and ban the consumption of products that we know have practices behind them that are not friendly to the planet or generate violence.
So, as a civil society, we can put an end to a transnational. If the world or an entire community or an entire city decides that it will no longer consume that product because we know where it comes from, then it directly affects them, because it affects their pocketbook.
We are also part of the problem, because we consume the goods that these companies offer. So, it is in our hands as civil society, beyond governments, because many times these are linked to the lobby and the money of those same companies that move in the lobbies to generate laws and policies that allow their extractivism. But we, as consumers and as a capitalist consumer society, can set a limit, begin to model and make consumption more conscious.
To the extent that they see that they no longer have that mass force that they control through consumption, that is when they will realize that they have no more weapons.
A.M: You mentioned Leonor Zalabata Torres, the current representative of Colombia to the UN, and that the Arawak community of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta appointed her, along with Petro, to go to New York, where you hope a space of awareness about indigenism will be forged.
How can this be implemented and achieved? Because, let me give you an example: in Mexico, one of the people who has an exemplary job as a public servant was a Nahuatl musician and poet, Mardonio Carballo, and he was finally removed from the Ministry of Culture, precisely because they could not stand the fact that an indigenous person had more weight than the current head. So, how can we break this part of the capital cities so that, above all, more indigenous people come to take these positions and change this very Western worldview that exists regarding public policies?
YE: It has to do with a change of consciousness. That is also linked to the history of racism that we have experienced here in Latin America since the colonial period, because here in Latin America, we who are white, or I, am white and I am also a child of that mixed race from the colony.
The colonial legacy left Latin America with the idea of destroying and overriding these cultures, a theme of racism and religion that has fed us for many centuries. We must break that and finally see the indigenous people, not as such, but as people who also inhabit the planet and have their own problems and conflicts, but who have also managed to lead a more harmonious life with the planet, something that we as a white culture have not achieved.
As long as we do not change this awareness of racism and rejection of minorities rooted in our DNA, and do not respect differences and listen to the valuable traditions of others, we will continue with systematic racism, misogyny and all those cultural anchors that we carry.
It is a process that begins with each individual, assuming themselves not as white, black, man, African, indigenous, but as an inhabitant of the earth, where we all have the same value.
There are cultures that have a lot to teach us about harmony with the planet, while we also have valuable things, such as environmental technology and administrative techniques. It is a one-on-one work, a joint effort between different cultures to achieve the same goal, more horizontal movements. We in Latin America, who come from colonialism, still have that legacy rooted in our psyche, and breaking with that implies breaking with centuries of teachings. So, we are walking in that process.
A.M: Finally, tell us when these documentaries you have are going to be available. What are they going to be called and also if you prepared a soundtrack for them and if you wrote the music? Tell us about the musical part of the documentaries.
YE: Of course, all of them have a very important soundtrack that we hope will also serve as a tool for promoting the film or connecting with it, because here in Colombia it is a very musical country. I have tried to inspire us through music, and especially through music that has inspired us.
Bomba Estéreo is a band that comes from the indigenous and Afro world, since their music has roots in the folk music of Colombia and Latin America. So, of course, now we have a soundtrack that I made and next year both documentaries will be released. The one about the Magdalena River is called “Yuma,” and the one about the leaders has a partial name, it will probably change, which is “Guardianas.” Both will be released in 2024.
The family of Ricardo Lagunes Gasca and representatives of Antonio Díaz Valencia, environmental and indigenous land defenders, are in Washington to meet with authorities and the international diplomatic community to discuss the forced disappearance of these two Mexicans for defending the environment and indigenous lands from mining development in the municipality of Aquila, Michoacán, Mexico.
Ricardo Lagunes Gasca, a human rights and indigenous territories lawyer, and Professor Antonio Díaz Valencia, leader of the Nahua indigenous community of San Miguel de Aquila, were victims of forced disappearance on January 15, 2023 for defending indigenous rights in the agrarian courts. They disappeared violently after participating in a community assembly where the steps to follow after winning the case were discussed. There are reports that both received threats from Ternium, the company that operates a large iron mine without taking into account the rights of indigenous people.
Since his disappearance, Ricardo's relatives have demanded a thorough investigation by Mexican and international bodies and a humanitarian recovery. They also obtained recommendations from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances, several United Nations Special Procedures and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Ana Lucía and Antoine Lagunes Gasca, Ricardo's siblings, will visit Washington DC for a meeting with the U.S. State Department's Environmental Defenders Working Group, a private audience with the Inter-American Commission, the Office of the High Commissioner, and the Mexican Government, as well as with several allies. They are seeking support from the international community and international organizations to advocate for the return of both defenders and to obtain international technical assistance in the search and investigation to seek their humanitarian recovery, find the truth, and seek justice in the case.
The Day of the Dead Festival in Redwood City is a lively celebration that has been held for 13 years as the largest party of the year by the Casa Círculo Cultural organization. Photo: Marvin Bámaca P360P
Each year, the non-profit organization Casa Circulo Cultural holds a huge Day of the Dead celebration in Redwood City, and this year they took residents and visitors on a trip through Mayan culture, primarily to Guatemala.
The Day of the Dead celebration is a celebration full of life that has been celebrated for 13 years in the city of Redwood City as the biggest party of the year, said Veronica Escámez, founder of Casa Círculo Cultural in an interview with Manuel Ortiz during the program Península 360 Radio, in collaboration with Marcos Gutiérrez de “Made in California”.
During the celebration, artistic pieces referring to Mayan culture were created, work carried out by Casa Círculo Cultural in collaboration with the visual artist Fernando Escartiz.
During the celebration, artistic pieces referring to Mayan culture were created, work carried out by Casa Círculo Cultural in collaboration with the visual artist Fernando Escartiz.Months before this celebration, the organization's staff traveled to Guatemala with the purpose of learning about the cultural traditions of that country and thus conducting prior research to achieve a true experience from the Guatemalan culture.
The event, held on November 5, featured the creation of a magnificent Santa Catarina arch, which is one of the most recognized places in the city of Antigua Guatemala. The experience of the “Tuc Tuc” was also shared, a very common means of transportation in the Central American country, a kind of motorcycle taxi for 3 people.
The “Tuc Tuc”, a very common means of transport in the Central American country, is a type of motorcycle taxi for 3 people. The artist Fernando Escartiz recreated a “Tuc Tuc” that was seen by attendees on the Day of the Dead in Redwood City.
Months before this celebration, the organization's staff traveled to Guatemala with the purpose of learning about the cultural traditions of that country and thus conducting prior research to achieve a true experience from the Guatemalan culture.
As every year, the altar contest was held, where the community participated in its creation.
With different themes, full of colors, flowers, food, art and a lot of creativity, these altars were placed inside the San Mateo County History Museum and are on display from Sunday, November 5 to November 11.
1 of 9
This exhibition includes a giant “barrilete” (paper kite) brought from Guatemala. It is worth noting that this type of art takes up to 6 months to be made by Guatemalan families to be used in the Day of the Dead celebration.
The kite displayed at the Museum has already flown for this holiday in Guatemala and did not break, something very common since they are made with tissue paper, which makes them very fragile pieces, commented Verónica Escámez.
The kite displayed at the Museum has already flown for this holiday in Guatemala and did not break, something very common since they are made with tissue paper, which makes them very fragile pieces, commented Verónica Escámez.
“We have two barrels, one that is in the San Francisco Symphony and the other here at the Museum of Redwood City; it is something magnificent because it measures 14 feet. For people who could not enter on Sunday because there was a huge line, since the Museum reported an entrance of 8 thousand people and many had to stay outside, they can go all week to see the altars," he added. Scamez.
When talking about the kites, Verónica commented that “families make them for their dead and, in this case, they had the opportunity to meet the man who made it, his wife and his three daughters who have helped to make this work since they were little, which is made entirely of tissue paper and mounted on bamboo sticks so they can be lifted. Fernando brought it folded and when it is extended it looks like a true work of art.”
The founder of Casa Círculo Cultural, highlighted that the exhibition features two very particular altars, one was made by the sheriff of San Mateo County, Christina Corpus, while the second was carried out by the first Latina supervisor in the county, Noelia Corzo.
Anna Lee Mraz, coordinator of strategic initiatives at Casa Círculo Cultural, spoke about the altar dedicated to victims of domestic violence, specifically in San Mateo County, where, since 2022, 5 women have been added who have lost their lives due to violence by their romantic partner; and it is estimated that domestic violence affects about 10 thousand people in this county each year.
Altar dedicated to victims of domestic violence in San Mateo County.Domestic violence is estimated to affect about 10,000 people in this county each year.
The altar against hate crimes was placed in honor of those who have died because of acts such as racism or discrimination, Mraz explained; 13 photographs of those who were killed by such terrible attacks were displayed on it.
The altar against hate crimes was placed in honor of those who have died due to acts such as racism or discrimination.
This The moving offering is a powerful symbol of remembrance and collective determination to confront the destructive forces of hatred, he said.
It is worth noting that, after this great celebration, many more events come, including, Fernando Escartiz is preparing an exhibition where the work carried out for this festival can be appreciated in depth.
“All the textiles seen this weekend come from Guatemala. We wanted to bring clothing from that country; huipiles (traditional blouses or dresses of indigenous people and mestizos from the southern part of Mexico and Central America) that are very colorful with a story behind their creation, and we are going to prepare an exhibition so that people can see and admire them,” added Escartiz.
To learn more about the work of the artist Ferando Escartiz, you can follow him on his Instagram: fernandoescartiz.
In December, a special exhibition will be held in the Casa Círculo Cultural gallery, located in it 1900 Broadway St. Redwood City, where all of these Guatemalan clothing and artifacts will be on display, as well as the work of artist Fernando Escartiz.
Remember to purchase the printed version of Peninsula 360 Press, where you will find much more information.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the 
