Press Release

Buenos Aires, Argentina - 23 August 2010:
Rally in Solidarity with the Waste Pickers of Bogota (Español)

On Monday August 23, a protest took place at the gates of the Colombian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina to express solidarity with the waste pickers of Bogotá. A substantial number of waste pickers from the "Movimiento de Trabajadores Excluidos" [Excluded Worker's Movement] participated, with representation from various cooperatives and the Alameda Foundation.

A statement was presented to the authorities at the Embassy requesting protection for the safety of the leaders of the waste pickers of Bogota; effective fulfillment of their inclusion in the bidding process of Doña Juana's landfill, and an investigation to determine political and actual responsibility for the threats and assault suffered by the union representatives. There were words of solidarity and affection for Nohra Padilla, representative of the Association of Waste Pickers of Bogotá, one of the main victims of the reported assaults.

The statement emphasized the attempt to use the bidding process as a tool to co-opt leaders of the sector by the Director of the UAESP, Margot Miriam Martinez.

When it was time to speak, spokespersons stressed the need for effective measures of solidarity, and insisted that they will reinforce these [measures] in case of continuing aggression against the sector.

The event ended with the call… *IF ONE IS PUSHED, EVERYONE IS PUSHED.*

MOVIMIENTO DE TRABAJADORES EXCLUIDOS [EXCLUDED WORKER'S MOVEMENT] COOPERATIVE AMANECER DE LOS CARTONEROS [WASTE PICKER COOPERATIVE AMANECER] COOPERATIVE EL ALAMO
COOPERATIVE EL CIEBO
COOPERATIVE ECOGUARIDANES
COOPERATIVE LAS MADRESELVAS
COOPERATIVE RECUPERADORES DEL OESTE
ALAMEDA FOUNDATION.