Defensora is a deeply moving testimony to incredible courage in the face of wanton brutality and a shining tribute to the human search for justice. – Maude Barlow, Council of CanadiansFollowed by a discussion with: Murray Klippenstein, lawyer for the Mayan Plaintiffs and Craig Scott, Member of Parliament for Toronto Danforth.
Saturday, January 31 – 7:30pm Walter Stewart Public Library 170 Memorial Park Avenue Directions: (1 block north of Mortimer Ave., 2 blocks west of Coxwell Ave) Closest major intersection Coxwell Ave. and Mortimer Ave. Public Transit - TTC O'Connor bus northbound from Coxwell subway station.
Screening is FREE but donations will be gratefully accepted.
About the Film
Director Keendersen
Production Company 6kidsProductions and Girl Edge Films
USA | Guatemala | Canada / 2013
DEFENSORA documents the historic and on-going land and community defense struggles of Mayan Q’eqchi communities in eastern Guatemala, and their struggle for justice and remedy in Canadian courts against the nickel mining company Hudbay Minerals.
Defensora follows the story of sisters Maria and Angelica Choc, who lead a Mayan Q’eqchi resistance in Guatemala to reclaim ancestral lands and seek justice in Canada for the murder of Angelica’s husband, the shooting-paralyzing of German Choc Chub and the gang rapes of 11 Mayan women. Set along the shores of Lake Izabal, where tensions run high against a backdrop and history of violence, intimidation and forced evictions, the stakes are high for the Mayan Q’eqchi people who risk their lives to protect their lands, speak the truth and seek justice in Canadian courts, and for Hudbay Minerals that continues to deny their allegations.