Here is a trailer for the documentary, "Kilometer 207: Along the Side of the Road" by Grégory Lassalle (August, 2007) from Collectif Guatemala which tells the story of the Finca Nueva Linda. You can get more information about the documentary from collectifguatemala2 [at] riseup.net.
James Rodriguez on his blog MiMundo.org covers the recent series of events to demand justice for the forced disappearance of Hector Reyes and the massacre of August 31, 2004. He tells of how the documentary by Gregory Lassalle was shown. He explains:
Bety Reyes Toledo, daughter of the disappeared Hector Reyes, declares in the documentary: "If a rich person would have been kidnapped, a poor person would already be in jail. But, since it was a rich person who kidnapped my father, nothing has been clarified. Three years have passed in our struggle for justice, and nothing is clear. That is why we want justice to be applied equally... It is as if justice does not apply to us poor."
Despite having suffered a number of harassments and even been shot upon with gunfire, family members of Hector Reyes and the formidable group of peasants who accompany their struggle continue their peaceful resistance in search for justice. A community member reaffirms: "We have received threats, persecutions and intimidations by the private security. But we do not care. We will not take one step backwards until justice is made."
Despite having suffered a number of harassments and even been shot upon with gunfire, family members of Hector Reyes and the formidable group of peasants who accompany their struggle continue their peaceful resistance in search for justice. A community member reaffirms: "We have received threats, persecutions and intimidations by the private security. But we do not care. We will not take one step backwards until justice is made."
Background: Amnesty International Report 'Guatemala: Land of injustice?'
"In September 2003, Héctor Reyes, a union leader and administrator on the Nueva Linda farm, went missing in mysterious circumstances near the port of Champerico, Retalhuleu, South West Guatemala. The farm owner and the head of the farm's security were subsequently identified by the police as the main suspects. The following month some 200 campesinos from the Nueva Linda farm and the surrounding area occupied the farm to protest against the lack of investigations into the suspected abduction. Eight months later, on 31 August 2004, they were forcibly evicted. A number of police and campesinos were killed, including three minors. Thirty months after the abduction of Héctor Reyes, his fate and the circumstances in which he went missing are still unknown."
"The first line of police was unarmed. As they advanced, three policemen were shot and killed in disputed circumstances; another policeman later died of his wounds. Eight campesinos, including three minors, were also killed. Campesinos as well as journalists covering the event were beaten and threatened by police agents. Several journalists also had their video cameras seized after allegedly filming extrajudicial executions and beatings by police. All the homes, including contents, were burned by the police."
More information: Amnesty International Report"The first line of police was unarmed. As they advanced, three policemen were shot and killed in disputed circumstances; another policeman later died of his wounds. Eight campesinos, including three minors, were also killed. Campesinos as well as journalists covering the event were beaten and threatened by police agents. Several journalists also had their video cameras seized after allegedly filming extrajudicial executions and beatings by police. All the homes, including contents, were burned by the police."
