20,000 March in Mexico City for the Right to Water

March 17, 2006

Patricia Jones writes from Mexico City, where the Fourth World Water Forum is taking place.

Over 20,000 people from Mexico and around the world marched peacefully for the right to water in Mexico City yesterday. The march started at 4:00 p.m. and ended at 8:00 p.m., traveling over 6 kms from the center of the capital to the site of the Fourth World Water Forum and arriving during the inaugural ceremonies.

Campesinos, indigenous people, university students, water workers, unions, faith organizations, internationists, and nongovernmental organizations from around the world walked together to let officials gathered at the forum know that the right to water and life is a sacred right, and will be defended by broad sectors of the population from around the world.

The Coalition of Mexican Organizations for Water Rights (COMDA), supported in part by UUSC through the environmental justice program, organized the “grand mobilization.” Grand it was! Inspiring! Que viva Mexico (long live Mexico!).