Making blood run 'gold': Mining justice organizers take on Goldcorp

As shareholders in the Canadian mining company Goldcorp met for their annual general meeting (AGM) in Vancouver last Wednesday, a jubilant and diverse crowd of more than 200 -- with some participants festooned in gold glitter -- pushed its way into the Pan Pacific Convention Centre, where the AGM was taking place.

Armed with a 10-metre-long painted banner, a marching band, and giant golden puppets, the demonstrators occupied the building for almost an hour.

Inside the meeting, Guatemalan organizer Carlos Amador and several other activists confronted the company on the human rights, health and environmental record of Goldcorp's Marlin Mine, about 300 kilometres north-east of Guatemala City. Allegations include killings, attacks and death threats against opponents of the mine, and health impacts, pollution, and intimidation of unionists.

"The company should recognize the impacts of their operations and listen to our concerns," said Amador, with the Environmental Committee of the Siria Valley in Guatemala, who traveled to Vancouver to confront Goldcorp. "The people in this meeting lack a conscience.

http://rabble.ca/news/2011/05/making-blood-run-gold-mining-justice-organizers-take-goldcorp