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June 9, 2009

Peruvian Indigenous Leader Seeks Asylum
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In Peru, indigenous leader Alberto Pizango has sought refuge in
Nicaragua’s Embassy and is seeking asylum. Pizango is wanted in Peru on
sedition charges after leading protests opposing laws that encourage
foreign mining and energy companies to invest billions of dollars in the
Amazon rainforest. Over the weekend, sixty people died after police
tried to break up a blockade. Indigenous activists are vowing to
continue to fight for their land.

Indigenous Protester Atilio Pisango: “We have carried on this fight for
more than fifty-seven days. The government has killed our indigenous
brothers in Bagua. If the government repeals the law, we will lift the
strike. Our leader, Alberto Pizango, did not send armed men; it was the
army.”



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