The Guardian 7 June, 2006
A Latin American struggle remembered
Some 30 people attended a fund-raising function for Guatemala organised by the Brisbane Branch of the Communist Party of Australia. The Brisbane function is one of a series of fundraisers to assist the people of Guatemala following the devastation caused by Hurricane Stan. Some 2,000 people died and thousands were left homeless.
As eyes are turned on the important developments in Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and other parts of Latin America, not so many people have heard of the long and courageous struggle of the Guatemalan people.
The function gave everyone present an opportunity to hear first hand from guest speaker Vinnie Molina on the history and current situation there. Mr Molina was in Guatemala in December 2005 following the hurricane.
Discussion at the meeting was not confined to struggle in Guatemala. Importantly, those present also talked about the perspectives of change in the entire continent; from the Rio Grande on the Mexico-US border down to La Patagonia in South America.
Several questions from the floor highlighted the difficult conditions that the peoples of the third world live under and the recent attacks on the rights of the people living in the industrialised countries face today.
Changes in industrial relations, social welfare and the introduction of anti-terror legislation are being made to suppress and prevent dissent and to enable the big transnational corporations to wind back the conditions of the workers and community in general — all with the aim of increasing their already huge profits.
Recent attacks in Guatemala on human rights organisations and community leaders show that the current civilian government wants to silence people’s opposition and demands for justice.
The priorities of the government are not directed towards assisting the people. This was seen with the latest natural disaster. This has left thousands suffering without shelter, food or medical attention. It has forced democratic and popular organisations like the URNG to organise aid to help the poor and forgotten people of those devastated areas. (URNG — Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity — was originally an umbrella organisation formed in February 1982 but is now a political party.)
Just a couple of weeks ago, leading activists, members of the left-wing URNG were kidnapped and some of them assassinated while defending the rights of the people.
Comrade Vinnie pointed out that the narrow political space that had been created by peace accords was becoming narrower and that doing community work and defending the interests of the working people has become a dangerous business in Guatemala. International solidarity is now more urgent as the Guatemalan people continue to struggle to be remembered and continue to defend the gains achieved by so many people who paid with the highest price, their blood for a better future for all.
Those present remembered the fallen and generously donated some $400 to the Communist Party’s appeal. This money will be sent directly to URNG.
In March this year, the Communist Party of Australia launched a Guatemalan Appeal in Australia to support a call initiated by URNG. So far almost $2,000 has been raised.
If you would like to contribute to the appeal,
donations can still be sent to the CPA national office,
74 Buckingham St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
For more information contact the CPA National Office 02 9699 8844
or Vinnie Molina on 0419 812872 or Ovidio Orellana on (07) 3379 2207.