Protest in solidarity with Wichí communities in Formosa (photo: ANRed)
A protest by a Wichí indigenous community in Ingeniero Juárez, Formosa, was violently suppressed yesterday evening. The community had already denounced the violent actions of police on Monday.
The incidents occurred when the protesters where blocking route 81, some 460km from the provincial capital of Formosa. According to ANRed, men, women, and children were injured. Wichí leader Agustín Santillán was allegedly beaten up and 50-year-old Reyes Torres was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet.
The Qom protesters who are currently camping on Av. 9 de Julio, in Buenos Aires, blocked the street last night in solidarity with the Wichí.
Qom leader Félix Díaz told ANRed: “We’re concerned because there’s a brother who was hurt in the eye and Agustín [Santillán was hurt] in an arm. There was a brutal repression by the Formosa police, which is why we’re here [on 9 de Julio], protesting to support our brothers. They’re not giving medical attention to the brothers wounded in Ingeniero Juárez.”
On Monday 24th March, the same Wichí community was violently evicted from route 81 by the police. “The police came, and without saying anything, they started pushing and shooting,” said Santillán about the incidents on Monday. “I have five impacts of rubber bullets and I think a lead bullet grazed my arm, because the flesh exploded.” According to Santillán, a woman also seemed to have been shot with a lead bullet, and other women, as well as men and children, were beaten up and shot at.
“We’re demanding housing, the title deeds of our lands, work, and [a solution to] the water problem in the communities,” said Santillán.
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