Breakfast in Father Elio's (top right) quarters, a Catholic priest working in Comitancillo for the past 5 years. Father Elio, a key organizer of today's rally, was gracious to meet with us on such an important day. Father Elio spoke about the community consultation process, which took place from 2004 - 2005, where 51 communities formed and signed a Municipal Act which firmly stated that they were against Goldcorp expanding their operations (Marlin II; 52 km2 of concessioned land to Goldcorp) in Comitancillo. Today, communities gather to re-affirm the results of the consultas with the new mayor of Comitancillo. We were honoured to walk in solidarity with the communities struggling to protect their lands from Canadian mining development.
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

This sign reads "The people of Comitancillo say 'No to the destruction of life' our children deserve a better future."

An incredible landslide overlooking Comitancillo, through which we drove the previous night. Perhaps a message to the impacted communities not to give up.

A pose to capture the military presence at the march, a clear violation to the 1996 Peace Accords signed between the Guatemalan military and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG), the country's guerrilla movement, which put an end to the 36 year internal armed conflict. In addition, Article 30 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states that military activities shall not take place in the lands or territories of indigenous peoples, unless justified by significant threat to relevant public interest or otherwise freely agreed with or requested by the indigenous peoples concerned (UNPFII 2007). I would question whether this demonstration signified any significant threat.
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

Grahame meeting with Delfino Tema Baustista, the mayor of Sipakapa.

A crowd gathers as Grahame conducts an interview with the national media.

JP secures a strong vantage point for the rally.

"No a la mineria!"

Signage at the march was extensive. Examples are translated below.

"No to continued mining, mother earth is our food and land. No mining our natural resources."
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)

"Certificate presented for the community meeting against mineral exploration in our municipality of Comitancillo, San Marcos."

"University of Rafael Landivar: Reject mineral exploitation, life is a treasure and deserves respect."

"Caserio Tuiquiac: No to mining because it will contaminate our environment."

"Village of Chipel says: no to mining exploitation and exploration."

"Gold is not life... our water is... Chipel community."

"Comitancillo rejects mining."
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

"We do not permit foreign companies to come and exploit our resources."
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

E.O.R.M Aldea Tuimuj is here: Nature is life. Take care."
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

"Community of Chiquila Buena Vista says: no to mining exploration, respect mother earth."

"Community of Veihte Reales is here: No to mining in Comitancillo."

"No to mineral exploration; E.O.R.M. schoolhouse Los Bujes of Comitancillo."

(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

"AMMID is here in the struggle against mineral exploitation."

We gathered together in preparation for the march. Observing such a strong presence of individuals with their common message to protect Mother Earth while reflecting on the previous day's Marlin mine visit caused me to feel extreme concern, admiration, sadness, and pride: extreme concern for these people of such limited resources and support having to fight against mining development; extreme admiration for their resolve; extreme sadness for the Earth and the extensive environmental impacts that resource development places on it; and extreme pride in being able to walk with these communities in their struggle.

The march through the town of Comitancillo.

Grahame Russell and several delegation members march with the people of Comitancillo.

(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

Catherine Nolin (center) and Veronica Haddon march with the protesters.

The final destination.

In a playing field adjacent to the Comitancillo cemetery, hundreds of individuals representative of the 51 communities who signed the Municipal Act against Goldcorp mining development on their territories, gathered in solidarity to re-affirm their position
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

As Goldcorp's Lisa Wade stated the day before: "If they didn't want it, we wouldn't be here." Well, Ms. Wade, I think the people have spoken.
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

Following an unforgettable day in Comitancillo, we all enjoyed an excellent dinner at Quesos y Vino that evening in Antigua.
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)