In Glasgow today, the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests marched for climate justice, along with our brothers from the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities. Tens of thousands of people were in the streets of the Scottish city in the rain and wind to demand more action and fewer words from the government leaders gathered at the summit.
It started at 12:45 a.m. local time, from Kelvingrove Park to Glasgow Green, on the other side of town. Again, and under a rain that fell first thing in the morning, and strong gusts of wind, slogans of “What do we want? Climate justice, When do we want it? Now ”,“ The united people will never be defeated ” in different languages.
Our indigenous and local leaders were in the front line, advocating for the powerful message that we have at this COP26: Colonialism has caused climate change, indigenous peoples are the solution.
‘’ From the streets and under the cold rain of Glasgow, to the podium of the precinct of world political leaders, the forests and rights of indigenous peoples are defended’’ – Levi Sucre, Coordinator of the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests
‘’This march is a symbol of the sound of our voice, to come to Cop 26 to tell governments that we are not alone that our voice is connected and that our forests are represented in us. Let’s act now! ’’ – Sara Omi, President of the Coordinator of Women Territorial Leaders of Mesoamerica
Today we reaffirm our mission at the 26th edition of the COP: the titling and recognition of the rights of all currently unrecognized indigenous territories, to stop the persecution of indigenous leaders. Facilitate direct access to climate finance by indigenous peoples organizations, as well as the recognition of the contributions of indigenous peoples in mitigating climate change and in adapting to the new scenario in the Predicted and Determined Contributions at the National Level ( INDC) Our messages marched alongside us, raising voices on behalf of all indigenous communities and the forests of Mesoamerica
