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Free Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera: Earth Defenders, not Criminals  On June 8, 2000, the Sierra Club and Amnesty International joined Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other concerned groups and individuals for a rally to urge Mexico's president Ernesto Zedillo to assure the immediate and unconditional release of Mexican Earth Defenders Rodolfo Montiel Flores
and Teodoro Cabrera Garcia, two environmental heroes who have been wrongfully imprisoned
for their efforts to stop excessive logging in their community in the Southern Sierra
Madres.
 More than 100 protesters attended the rally, which took place outside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce while President Zedillo was inside giving a speech on trade. Protesters passed out flyers, chanted and lofted signs in support of Montiel and Cabrera as well as environmental protections, democracy and human rights. At a time when the case against Montiel and Cabrera has entered a new and pivotal
stage, the energy in the crowd showed unmistakable urgency. For two solid hours,
protesters enthusiastically cheered statements from Representative Pelosi, Alejandro
Queral, of Sierra Club's Human Rights and the Environment Campaign, Andrew Miller, Amnesty
International's Acting Legislative Director for Latin America, and other concerned
individuals who took to the megaphone to lead chants and deliver words of support for
Montiel and Cabrera.
"This is President Zedillo's chance to show the international community that the Mexican government respects the rights of activists to protect the environment," said Queral. "Montiel and Cabrera's only 'crime' was to protect the forests by protesting the clear-cut logging of Mexico's old-growth forests." "Montiel and Cabrera must be immediately and unconditionally released," said Miller. "These serious allegations of human rights abuse and worsening medical conditions demand attention." (see the joint Amnesty International and Sierra Club press release)  Montiel and Cabrera have been in prison since May 2, 1999, when they were taken into custody by soldiers from the Mexican army's 40th Infantry Battalion. They were reportedly beaten and tortured until they confessed to trumped up charges of drug-trafficking and illegal weapons possession. In reality, their only "crime" was to organize their community to oppose excessive and possibly illegal logging in their community  On June 6, 2000, at 11:45 pm, the prosecution beat the deadline to file their conclusions with the court against Montiel and Cabrera with only 15 minutes to spare, virtually assuring that Montiel and Cabrera's case will now be decided by the judge. Amnesty International and Sierra Club have called for the immediate and unconditional release of these two environmental heroes. Environmental activism is not a crime and earth defenders should not be treated like criminals. Photos: Rep. Nancy Pelosi calls on President Zedillo to assure the release of Montiel and Cabrera. Read Pelosi's statement. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use |
