We stand in solidarity with small landholder and landless farmers around the world in their global fight for land and water access, food sovereignty and human rights. This year, this day's meaning resonates even stronger as it marks the 20 year anniversary of the Eldorado dos Carajás massacre in Brazil. On April 17th, 1996, nineteen peasants – women and men members of the Landless Movement - were assassinated while they were taking part in a legitímate struggle to obtain land.
As we know all too well, with the recent assasination of indigenous land rights activist Berta Caceres in Honduras, the struggle continues.
Whether it's due to big ag, hydroelectric development or transnational mining corporations encroaching on native lands, we've met with and heard similar stories from marginalized community members across Guatemala and Peru. This is not an isolated incident, or issue. Citizens around the world need to unite in the fight for land access for all people regardless of their nationality, sex, age, social status and ethnicity.
To learn more about this cause close to our hearts, and to support La Via Campesina, click here.
