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Proyecto Minero Pascua Lama
25, January, 2007 OLCA Communications
44 Arrested In Violent Removal of Pascua Lama Blockade
Chile, Thursday, 25, January, 2007
More than 80 people peacefully closed the
intersection of the roads to Chollay and Conay,
in the community of Alto del Carmen, beginning
the night of Monday, January 22. The objective of
the action was to prevent the entrance of trucks
and vehicles of the mining companies that operate
there, specially of Barrick Gold "Responsible
Mining" for the Pascua Lama project. The blockade
turned back all mining vehicles since this region
does not have roads that are adequate for heavy
machinery - a situation noted by the Chilean
Environmental Commission (CONAMA), which
prohibited this type of transport but does not
enforce the prohibition.
While this action was undertaken in completely
peaceful form, when military police special
forces arrived from Vallenar at 11am on January
25 to remove the blockaders, it was in a violent
manner, with blows and struggles. 44 people were
arrested, including Chilean, Spanish, French and
Argentinean citizens. Some were handcuffed (among
them Councilman Luis Faura) leaving behind only
old people and children from the area.
The prisoners were transferred to Vallenar in 4
light trucks, 1 van, a military police bus, and a
commercial bus. They were taken to the hospital
to document their injuries at the hands of the
police and then to the Third Commisariat of
Vallenar. They are due to appear at a show cause
hearing where the judge will let them know the
charges they were detained for.
The organizations have declared that these
actions will be continued in the future, as long
as the Huasco Valley is threatened by mining.
Contact (Spanish only): Navarrese Iván, Movement
Anti Pascua Lama, 011 (56-9) 998-6697
For more information (Spanish only): Lucio
Cuenca, OLCA Tel: 011 (56-2) 274-5713
http://www.olca.cl/oca/
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