Yaquis in Sonora, Mexico said they will defend their rights to the Rio Yaqui, against the theft of water by the government of Mexico for the Independence Aqueduct. Yaqui said blocking the major highway through their territory is their defense against the pipeline that would take Rio Yaqui water to the city of Hermosillo in the state of Sonora. Sonora is the state in Mexico that is south of the Arizona border.

Mario Luna, Secretary for the Yaqui Tribe, released the following statement at the conclusion of the International Forum for the Defense of Water. The forum, hosted by Vicam Traditional Authority, was held in solidarity with the Zapatistas, and brought together Indigenous from the Americas who are defending their water sources and water rights.

Indigenous speak out for sacred water

Ofelia Rivas, O’odham, was among those who spoke out on the sacredness of water and the need to protect water for future generations at the forum on Yaqui land in Sonora. O’odham are battling mining and mega agricultural projects in their ceremonial community of Quitovac in Sonora, south of the US/Mexico border.

ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE: Yaqui Brigades for the Defense of Water.