People in El Salvador Are Fighting Back Against Water Privatization

IndyBay
Posted: 2007-10-12 20:27:05

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October 6-13 is an international week of solidarity to demand that "terrorism" charges against Salvadoran protesters be dropped. On July 2, fourteen people were arrested in Suchitoto, El Salvador for taking part in a protest against water privatization. Police brutality against the peaceful demonstration produced international outrage, and ultimately this pressure forced the Salvadoran government to temporarily release the detainees. Nevertheless, protesters continue to be charged under "anti-terrorism" law and could face up to 60 years in prison. This draconian law criminalizing public protest as acts of terrorism is being used to silence the social movement in El Salvador.

The trial of the Suchitoto protesters was scheduled for the first week of October but has been delayed for six months, allegedly while the prosecutors build their "terrorism" case. More likely, the trial was delayed for lack of evidence, since those arrested were in the streets to voice their opinion against water privatization.

The corporate takeover of the world's water has been called "the greatest theft of common resources facing humanity and the planet today." Global capitalists argue that water scarcity problems will be solved by turning water into an economic good - a commodity to be controlled by global corporations and sold to the highest bidder in international markets. Meanwhile, a broad-based social movement in El Salvador is struggling to keep water accessible and public, improve water conservation and ensure a supply of clean water for all who need it.