Thousands of indigenous farmers marched into Guatemala City on Tuesday (March 27), calling on the government to put an end to mining projects in their villages.<br/> <br />The protesters had been travelling for more than a week, coming from remote communities in the San Juan Sacatepequez region, about 200 km north of the capital.<br/> <br />They say the planned developments will destroy their lands.<br/> <br />Many farmers have reported that they were forcibly evicted and intimidated by mining firms.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER MOISES DIVAS SAYING:<br/> <br />"We are here primarily so that the governmen) stop allowing mining projects and that they stop evictions and criminal activities against our leaders in indigenous communities."<br/> <br />The group is demanding a review of the rural development law, calling for better protection measures for the environment and a cancellation of licenses awarded to mining companies for projects covering large swathes of farm land.<br/> <br />Guatemala has a tarnished mining history. A 2010 report accused giant firm, Goldcorp Mining, of human rights violations despite bringing development to Guatemala's western highlands.<br/> <br />Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
