Rights Action raising money for man left paralyzed from violence at a Canadian-owned mine site in Guatemala
German Chub Choc, a young Mayan Qeqchi man, was shot and left paralyzed from the waist down almost three years ago on September 27th by a private security guard hired by Guatemalan Nickel Company (CGN), a subsidiary of Canadian mining company, HudBay Minerals. The bullet that wounded him, remains lodged in his body, close to his damaged spine. German needs ongoing medical examination.
Rights Action, a Guatemala solidarity group with members in Canada and the U.S. is raising funds for the estimated $22,500 that will cost to enable German to purchase a small plot of land, with a small home on it, where he will live with his wife, son and parents, and operate a store. “They will have to do work on the little house, put an addition on it for German’s store and make the house and path in from the road wheelchair friendly,” writes Grahame Russell of Rights Action.
If Rights Action ends up raising more than $22,500, they plan to use these funds to pay for German’s healthcare needs and for on-going work in El Estor to support communities whose well-being have been harmed by global nickel mining companies.
“German was left for dead, and yet miraculously survived. For close to 18 months, he was in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centres, supported by a network of courageous and caring Guatemalans and North Americans working for a Guatemala based organization Transitions,” writes Russell.
With support from individual donors and a small foundation, Rights Action was able to raise the start-up funds for a store where German would like to work while his parents work the land. “Importantly, they will have a minimum of long-term security for their family, which was taken from them due to the shooting,” writes Russell.
Russell notes that for the vast majority of Guatemalans, there is no such thing as old age pension, unemployment insurance, health or casualty insurance. “German’s situation is now even worse than that of the majority poor in Guatemala,” says Russell.
No justice has been served against those responsible for the attack on German. The Toronto-based Klippensteins law firm has filed a negligence suit against Hudbay Minerals in Canada. This case will take years to work its way through Canadian courts.
A 5-minute trailer for the film, Defensora, featuring German Chub Choc:
http://www.indiegogo.com/defensora
To make tax-decuctible donations (in Canada and the U.S.) to help German purchase land and a home:
1. Make cheques payable to “Rights Action” and mail to:
UNITED STATES: Rights Action, Box 50887 , Washington DC , 20091-0887
CANADA: Rights Action, Box 552 351 Queen St. E, Toronto ON , M5A-1T8
2. Credit card donatons can be made (in Canada and U.S.) can be made here:
http://www.rightsaction.org/tax-deductible-donations
To be a monthly credit card donor (Canada and U.S.), contact: info@rightsaction.org
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