Guardian of Monarch butterfly grounds eulogized in Mexico

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARK STEVENSON

OCAMPO, Mexico (AP) — Hundreds of farmers and agricultural workers thronged the funeral of activist Homero Gómez González on Friday, and the homage to him was like a tribute to the monarch butterfly he so staunchly defended.

The butterflies’ annual migration, threatened by logging, avocado farming and climate and environmental change, has also represented a ray of hope and income for the impoverished, pine-clad mountains of Michoacan state.

Nobody worked harder than Gómez González — whose body was found this week at the bottom of a holding pond with a head wound — to stop logging, reforest and bring tourists to the butterflies? wintering grounds.

In an area where crime, construction work and wood cutting provide some of the only sources of income, Gómez González provided a way out, ensuring income for the communal farmers who actually own the land in the butterfly reserve.



Flower petals fall as family and friends grieve around the grave of community activist Homero Gomez Gonzalez in Ocampo, Michoacan state, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Hundreds of farmers and agricultural workers thronged the funeral on Friday, and the homage to the anti-logging activist was like a tribute to the monarch butterfly he so staunchly defended. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)


Read more: https://apnews.com/c864b98bb477355f046bbd5101f3849f

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Head wound sound suspicious?

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. So damned sad

[scarletwoman]

2. This is heartbreaking.

More from the article:

“He taught us to be a united people,” his son said.

In Mexico, that can be a dangerous thing to do. London-based Global Witness counted 15 killings of environmental activists in Mexico in 2017 and 14 in 2018. In an October 2019 report, Amnesty International said 12 had been killed in the first nine months of that year.

“Something strange is happening, because they’re finishing off all the activists, the people who are doing something for society,” said Amado Gómez, the victim’s brother.

A few hours after the body was found on Wednesday, Michoacan state prosecutors said an initial review indicated a drowning and found no signs of trauma, but a statement Thursday night said more detailed autopsy results produced evidence of the head injury.

Authorities gave no other information on the injury and did not say how it might have been inflicted. They said an investigation continued, suggesting the case wasn’t considered an accident. (my bold)

[pansypoo53219]

3. damn. end the drug war now.

[Talitha]

4. ...

[Withywindle]

5. Activists for the environment are war heroes

They are being murdered all over the world where they defend the Earth, especially when they are also working to build long-term sustainability for their local communities to empower the people to fight off global resource exploitation.