Allison Silverman's Blog
On Horseback Through Patagonia: Day 9 - The Grand Arrival
December 7, 2007
Posted by Allison Silverman in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - 12 KM; Escuela NOLS- Plaza de Armas, CoyhaiqueEveryone was so excited about arriving in Coyhaique that we woke up and were ready ahead of schedule. Everyone was in particularly good spirits as after much negotiating with the city government yesterday and this morning, we had successfully gained the right to enter the main plaza and to cruse down the main street, Calle Prat, on horseback.
There were more of us than anyone could have expected! We were more than 125 on horseback and scores more in support vans and other cars. I put the saddle on La Coneja for the last time. As I was tying the cynch, I was reflecting upon how just nine days ago I had no idea what end was up and here I was now preparing everything for the ride on my own. I had the best teachers in the world instructing me and now I felt like a pro…or almost. It wasn’t until everyone was getting ready to move out the 12 KM into town when I realized that I had forgotten all about the reins! I had to run back up the hill where we camped and find them. I guess the lesson here is, while I have learned much about horseback riding and can hold my own both on the horse and in preparing her, I am far from being a true gaucha and still have much to learn!
It was a beautiful ride into town. We walked the final part of this historic nine-day cabalgata in groups of three. I was somewhere in the middle of the pack, which in my view was the best seat in the house as whether I looked forward or backward all I could see were horses and jinetes. En route, we were passed by cars honking in support; and, with still 5 KM until we reached the central plaza there were already people lined up in the streets with signs, banners and cameras. Never before has Coyhaique seen such an event. We had truly demonstrated to the country, the government and the people of the region who would be directly affected that there is a tightly unified effort to defend the natural resources and the culture that is held so dear here.
Someone told me that even during the protests of the Pinochet era there weren’t as many people out in the streets supporting such an initiative. It really was a most fantastic arrival! We could not have imagined or have asked for anything more. The Coalition Ciudadana Aisen Reserva de Vida (www.aisenreservadevida.cl), our regional partner, had been hard at work for weeks preparing for our arrival. It certainly showed! In the central plaza, there were performances for all to enjoy. One act followed another with music, dance and speech. Famous local and regional musicians animated the crowds all day. It felt like a mini, latin version of Woodstock! As the poblador of the Baker River region, Don Alquilino Olivares, stated “Este ha sido uno de los éxitos más grandes que hemos tenido como defensores de esta región". People young and old flocked to the streets to greet us and to learn more about what we were demonstrating against and how they could get involved.
Once everyone arrived in the plaza, all the horses, jinetes and supporters gathered in front of the Regional Governor, Viviana Betancourt’s, office. There were speeches by the organizers, gauchos, other supporters; I even spoke, with La Coneja and new friends by my side. There was great energy and emotion for the cause. A number of gauchos representing the various communities that would be affected went to meet with Sra. Betancourt. We presented a solar panel and CFL energy efficient light bulbs representing alternatives to the dams. In addition, we delivered a letter of demands to the government, asking them to take a more active stance against Endesa and Colbún because their water rights are based on an illegitimate legacy from the Pinochet dictatorship. The letter demands a formal and ongoing dialogue between the government and the local community to discuss ways to promote the region’s traditional economic activities without harming the local culture and the environment.
La Intendenta took hours to respond to our demands and we all waited patiently outside her office, horses and all. As the day was coming to a close, we finally received a formal letter from her with a response that we did not feel was adequate. Everyone was disappointed, though sadly not surprised. Her insufficient response did not damper the mood -- it provided yet more passion to keep up the fight. The cultural and musical show helped to keep everyone’s eyes on the prize and maintain a high level of energy. If Betancourt was going to provide us with vague responses, then we would continue to express our demands and dissatisfaction.
And we have the strength in numbers to do so. As Betancourt was taking her time responding, we were collecting signatures of support against the dams. The signatures are significant because it demonstrates to the government who they should be representing. When they make a decision about the HydroAysen project, they need to consider more than just the technical aspects, but the people who they are in office to represent as well. By the end of our journey, we collected over 5,000 signatures!
~~
As this was my thanksgiving adventure, I want to give a big thank you to many who I just met and have been working with for some time. You are all in inspiration- the four year old girl, to the adolescents, young adults, and the 89 year old gaucho. Thank you to everyone who helped to organize this cabalgata, who participated on horseback, and who showed support from a car or from your doorstep. Thank you to the journalists who recognized the importance of this event in the fight against the dam project. And thank you to those who are taking action by writing to elected officials, supporting these groups financially or otherwise, and by spreading the word. This is just the beginning. Everyone is aware that this is going to be a long fight, but we have made it all the way from Cochrane to Coyhaique without falling off, making a wrong turn, or losing anyone. This bodes well for the initiatives to come.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario