A TERRIBLE TYPICAL DAY IN GUATEMALA:
The Killing of Facundo Cabral
By Grahame Russell, in Guatemala City, July 9, 2011
Rights Action laments profoundly the murder of Facundo Cabral in Guatemala today. We light a candle for this Argentinean poet and musician and for his family and friends.
("We say sorry to the world for the assassination of Facundo". July 9, 2011 gathering in front of the National Palace, Guatemala City.
Photos: Grahame Russell)
74 years old, Facundo was in Guatemala to give concerts and readings. He was assassinated while driving to the airport to travel on to his next destination. If you know the words and thoughts of Facundo - soft, loving and repetitive messages of caring, pardon, gratitude and peace - then read them, listen to them and share them today. If you have not heard of his music and words, it is a good day to learn more about him.
("We demand justice for the death of Facundo Cabral. "I am not from here; neither am I from there".")
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It is with anger that we begin to hear the voices of the powerful sectors in Guatemala, and of other governments and institutions, lamenting this killing, expressing their dismay at so much violence and impunity ...
... as if they are surprised about so much structural, repetitive and normal violence and impunity that they have put and kept in place for generations.
("We are present here not only for the death of the teacher Cabral, but also for every boy, girl, elderly woman and man, who is, day after day, victim to the violence. Not only for Facundo Cabral, Also for the future of our children.")
Ever since the U.S.-sponsored coup of 1954, Guatemala has been and remains a profoundly undemocratic country, wherein the rule of law (administration of justice) is dysfunctional at best, abused and corrupted in favour of the interests of the powerful, wealthy sectors (national and international), at worst.
Guatemala is one of the most unjust, violent countries of the Americas, dominated and abused by powerful national elites that have long maintained beneficial economic, military and political relations with the United States, other governments, international companies and investors, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, etc.
This is much more than a "tragedy. This is how things work in Guatemala.
("Human rights have died")
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For today, we light a candle for this poet and musician, and for his family and friends. We encourage all to read and listen to the words and music of Facundo Cabral, and to share them with others.
Thank-you / Gracias a la vida
Grahame Russell, info@rightsaction.org
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