SMA PROGRAMS: Indigenous Rights:
Community Advisors Beaten

Isidro Baldenegro and Ramiro Castellano of Tierra Nativa A.C. were forced to stop and beaten by 20 ejido members led by the ejido President, Rumaldo Chavez, while traveling to San Carlos at the invitation of indigenous leaders.

The Tarahumara are struggling to change ejido leadership after Rumaldo Chavez, a brutal boss in the community declared himself President without a legitimate election in 2005.

The Procuraduria Agraria is cooperating to call a fair election, but to date, fraud and deception have prevailed.   A recall election is expected in January or February 2007.