Latin America Month will officially open this Saturday, 12 June from 5pm. Organised by our friends at the Latin America Solidarity Centre, this year's theme will be "Defending the Territory, Defending the Earth".
In recognition of the work of environmental defenders accompanied by PBI around the world, the opening address will feature a talk by Rocío Walkiria, feminist and environmental activist with the Honduran Centre for Community Development - CEHPRODEC. Walkiria will share the current situation of the environmental movement in the country.
We will also hear from Dr Peter Doran, lecturer with Queen's University Belfast as he speaks on the rights of nature and the Environmental Justice Network Ireland, an all-island environmental movement supporting communities and individuals that are engaged in both promoting environmental justice and challenging environmental injustice.
This online event will also feature a miniature theatre on Chilean customs, a Colombian indigenous philharmonic orchestra, and Guatemalan rapper, activist and artist, Rebeca Lane. For more information and registration, click here.
While all events will be free of charge, PBI Ireland has launched a fundraiser to allow our supporters to make donations and help us create similar events in the future.
Watch: The People Vs The Pandemic Public Event
If you missed our event last November, you’re in luck! We have just uploaded a recording of the event to our new YouTube channel.
In the video below you will hear from two human rights defenders on how marginalised communities have organised to protect themselves from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Honduras, we hear from Esdra "Moro" Sosa, Coordinator of the Litos Women's Group at Arcoiris LGBT Association on the effects of Hurricanes Eta and Iota on the Central American country, and their plans for the future.
From Colombia, Luis Miguel shares how the San José de Apartadó Peace Community has responded to the pandemic by banding together and relying on ties of solidarity and mutual aid.