Mayan Communities March in Mérida Demanding Removal of Real Estate and Farming Operations

Mérida, Yucatán — Hundreds of people gathered under the statue of colonizer Francisco de Montejo on Mérida’s Paseo de Montejo on Saturday, marching to the State Government Palace to demand an end to land dispossession, destruction of common heritage, and violations of indigenous rights.

Led by leaders from at least ten Mayan Community Councils, the contingent marched to the state government headquarters displaying signs and chanting slogans in both Maya and Spanish, including “The territory is not for sale!” and “Mérida, listen, this is your fight!”

In front of the Government Palace, protesters demanded the removal of real estate companies and pig and poultry farms from their communities. “It’s a shame that the state government wants to portray us as violent people. We are peaceful. We demand that the government remove its hands. We have people facing charges just for defending their lands,” said one leader from Kinchil.

The protest included members from:

• The Indigenous Council of Dzitnup and Municipal Commission of Dzitnup, Valladolid municipality
• The Ixil Community Council and Ejidal Commission and Vigilance Council of Ixil
• The Community Council of Kinchil
• The Original Indigenous Council of Molas
• The Mayan Community Council of Santa María Chí and Municipal Commission of Santa María Chí, Mérida municipality
• The Indigenous Community Council of Sisal, Hunucmá

Farmers from the communities of Uayalceh in Abalá, Nolo in Tixkokob, and Caucel Pueblo in Mérida municipality also participated, along with other communities.