Indian Creek Villagers feel ‘disrespected’; protest Royals coming to their village

Photo Credit: Maya Culture

By Benjamin Flowers: Villagers of Indian Creek, Toledo District, marched with signs today, protesting the pending visit of Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, over what they have described as “disrespect.”

Our newsroom spoke with Maya advocate Juan Cal from the organization Maya Culture, who explained that the villagers feel wronged because they were not informed that the Duke and Duchess would be visiting their village, despite requesting information given the high level of security being associated with the visit. Cal said that the villagers found out about the royal visit through the media, which they felt undermines the requirement for Free Prior Informed Consent.

The villagers also note that the Duke is a patron of Flora and Fauna International (FFI), a conservation organization that the villagers are currently in contention with, after FFI informed that the land they customarily used for their livelihood is private property and prohibited them from using it.

“Just the way how the information got to them was not in good will and did not show any kind of respect to the community,” Cal said. “…besides that fact that he is also patronizing the conservation organization that is barring them from using their own land.”

The decision to protest was taken at a meeting in the village held yesterday. It is not yet known whether villagers intend to protest once the royals arrive in the village.

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