Tuesday marked Mother’s Day in parts of Latin America. Here in New York City, activists rallied in front of the Honduran Consulate to honor slain environmentalist Berta Cáceres. Cáceres was murdered in her home in La Esperanza, Honduras, in March. For a decade, she led the struggle against the Agua Zarca Dam, planned along a river sacred to the Lenca people. Honduran authorities have charged five people in connection with her death, including a Honduran army major and employees of DESA, the company behind the dam. But Cáceres’ family has called for an independent investigation. On Tuesday, protesters presented a Mother’s Day card honoring Cáceres to a representative from the Honduran Consulate in here New York.
Luz Guel: “My name is Luz Guel, and I’m originally from Mexico, but I’m working with WE ACT for Environmental Justice. And we’re here today outside of the Honduran Consulate to bring justice to Berta Cáceres for Mother’s Day. And she was fighting for the forest, for the water, for clean air, for all the environmental rights that everybody deserves. And today is the day to celebrate motherhood of all days outside the Honduran Consulate.”
Zelene Pineda Suchilt: “My name is Zelene Pineda Suchilt. We are gathered here today to demand an independent investigation of her murder, to end U.S. aid, military aid, to Honduras and to stand against the coup in 2009 that led to these events.”