A few highlights from the Rios Montt Genocide Trial (Graphic heavy)
These are just a few of the worst highlights tweeted and written about by Xeni Jardin 
@xeni ) who's been attending the trial daily and interviewing survivors. Unfortunately, I can only go as far back as April 17 for her tweets on this.
First a picture:
A 1982 photograph by Jean-Marie Simon of Otto Perez Molina; he commanded the Guatemalan Army in Nebaj, Quiché, Guatemala at the time, and is now President. Nebaj is part of the region at issue in a genocide trial against former head of state Ríos Montt. The military hat in this photo indicates status as a Kaibil.
-- Harris Whitbeck Sr (see wiki), a defense witness, testified that he ran "humanitarian programs" for Montt. Both Montt and him are evangelicals. Millions of dollars in funds for Montt's "Beans and guns" (“frijoles y fusiles”) came from US lawmakers & evangelical Christian groups. Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell evangelized for their friend Rios Montt. Whitbeck claims he never heard of military massacres, rapes in camps, torture, forced cutting down of crops etc. It was all good
-- One 20pg paid paper insert by Guate Anti-terrorism Fndtn linked genocide trial to intl Marxist conspiracy enabled by Catholic Church.
Paid propaganda. Sign reads "The Secretary of Peace says there was no genocide" (Otto Molina's Sec of Peace testified FOR Rios Montt and said that)
-- “They treated us like animals. They slaughtered us like animals. Now they want to pretend it didn't happen.” —V., K'iche man
April 19
-- No reports from local press of yesterday's raid against human rights offices of @UDEFEGUA in the Ixil Region in Guatemala,
-- Outside court. Massive crowd led by Ixiles. Flower & pine needle altar; copal burning. Signs demanding justice. Ixil holding red flowers.
-- This is a huge crowd outside court. Very high energy. WE ARE ALL IXIL, WE WILL CONTINUE THE FIGHT, & chants in Ixil also.
Tons of tweets about how the Ixiles are leading this, organizing the marches, leading the chants, leading everything. This is important because it's also the Ixiles who are now under martial law in those 4 municipalities where Molina said drug gangs are causing problems.
On April 19, when someone tried to keep them all out of the courtroom, they raised a huge public fuss
-- Noise outside this building is overwhelming. Crowd screaming justice, no more genocide, we have the right to know the truth. Drumming.
-- Cars on street honking in support.
-- On one hand, I’m disappointed more foreign media aren’t here covering justice system’s crisis in Guatemala. OTOH, they’d just mess it up.
-- Case in point: this report by Rachel Levin for Al Jazeera English. WTF. So many inaccuracies, so tone-deaf.
BS: “Entire areas of country where people don’t even know trial is taking place…because Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in LatAm.”
Guess what, Al Jazeera: the hundreds of indigenous people demonstrating behind you in that standup *are those same poorest people.*
The poor, marginalized indigenous in Guatemala aren’t stupid. They’re incredibly politically sophisticated.
And by my research, there’s wide awareness of trial among indigenous throughout the country (23+ Mayan ethnic groups, Ixil are but one).
Yes; way media+power works here contribute to lack of political involvement & awareness of trial. But fiercest organizers I see are poor.
Seriously, this piece sucks.
Apparently, people who watched it thought the same because the top rated comment on the Al-Jazeera piece is
No surprise that Al Jazeera's latest video on this topic allowed no comments. They are promoting propaganda in regard to this topic, in order to back the current US-backed president, Otto Perez Molina, who was about to be clearly implicated in the trial. Al Jazeera has gone into absolutely no detail about what the testimony of Allan Nairn would have been, and what the implications would have been if he would have testified. Al Jazeera is a crock of shit.
and
Get your news about this issue from Democracy Now. They cover it very well, and interview Allan Nairn, the journalist who was about to testify when the trial was shut down. Al J is simply US propaganda, as mentioned by others here also.
-- What I hate about AJ piece: this elitist logic that only ppl with $ are politically engaged, aware of HR issues. Couldn’t be less true here. Mayans organize, share info in ways outsiders may not see or grok. But it’s poor marginalized indigenous who pushed hardest for this day. They may have less financial resources to lose, but if all you have is a cornfield & your family, that’s what you have, & it’s everything.
-- An indigenous leader here was murdered just last night. Multiple anti-mining Mayan activist disappearances/killings happened recently too.
-- Worn by Mayan observers in Guatemala genocide trial court, and their supporters.
-- Every day since lower court judge Flores effectively derailed tribunal, protesters have gathered to demand trial continue. Today, the same.
-- Rigoberta Menchú (Nobel Prize for Peace Winner) in front of the courthouse
22 April
-- Banner w names of civilians disappeared or assassinated during Guatemala's armed conflict Outside Const. Court, now.
-- Outside Guatemala's Constitutional Court right now. Photos from Jean-Marie Simon; a handwritten copy…
-- “What do we want? JUSTICE!” “All of us are Ixiles!” “My heart is Ixil!” Protesters chanting outside Guate Const. Court for trial to continue “We demand the genocide tribunal be allowed to continue. We will be here every day until the Constitutional Court resolves this.”
= new reply since forum marked as read
-- Numerous buses carrying pro-Rios Montt protestors head for Guatemala City
-- Banner on pro-Montt bus (1 of 50?): “Hairy Hippies & Foreigners, stop making $ off the lie of genocide.”
The sign says (loosely): “Don’t shame the Ixiles with this genocide stuff, because it’s a lie.”
-- Costs a lot in Guate to pull that kind of thing together. Reporter closer to arrival site says many buses full of exPACs arriving Zona 4 now
-- Reporter on-site at pro-Montt protest says Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz, head of Fundación Contra El Terrorismo, is organizing; sent pic.
-- Fundación Contra El Terrorismo earlier published 20-p insert in paper on “Marxist/Catholic conspiracy” behind trial.
-- Mendez, anti-terrorism fndtn chief, has op-ed in @el_Periodico today: “Mickey Mouse Pressure” attacking trial. http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20130423/opinion/227288/
In op-ed, Mendez personally condemns Rigoberta Menchu, Paz y Paz, and US Ambassador to Guatemala as linked to “Marxist-Leninist ideology.”
“Remember, a genocide conviction won’t just be against Montt and Sanchez, it will be against you and me, and the entire state of Guatemala.”
“It will affect you financially—you have to pay victims compensation, which will mostly line pockets of middlemen.”
Fundación Contra El Terrorismo organized march. “Don’t complain if your laziness allows commies to decide for you. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=453667594712698&id=369242799821845
-- Update on Guatemala genocide trial: legal challenges, debates; attacks on "hairy hippies, foreigners, communists.” http://boingboing.net/2013/04/23/guatemala-genocide-trial-lega.html
-- Guatemala's Foundation Against Terrorism mobilized 30 buses from Nebaj to counter-protest survivors who demand #GenocideGT trial continue
-- 1 reporter who spoke to Ixil bussed in today from Nebaj told me all were confused why they were there. None were there w/pro-Mont intent.
-- Various Ixil reporter spoke to said they were promised fertilizer; others told they got free trip to see capital for first time in lives.
-- One Ixil woman told reporter she was told there was about to be a war, and she came to protest the war. Variety of confusing stories.
-- US Ambassador at Large for War Crimes @StateDept_GCJ arrives Guatemala 24 April for 2 days meetings/consultations re: Montt genocide trial.
-- Arrival of @StateDept_GCJ appears intended to send message of support for genocide trial continuation+concern over threat to end process.
-- @AP both these articles on Guatemala trial contain inaccuracies, need correction. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/guatemala-high-court-annuls-trial-ex-dictator … http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Guatemalan-judge-orders-Rios-Montt-trial-suspended-4446509.php …
-- One family of 8 disappeared without a trace from Amatitlan; grabbed from their home by 20 men wearing vests of National Police & law agency.
-- Another massive demonstration in Guatemala City today—not about genocide trial. Reports of some 10K University students, re: tuition.
-- Today is a travel day for me here in Guatemala. Left capital for a rural indigenous community, to hear various points of view on trial.
-- One common misperception outsiders have is that all indigenous people here are a homogenous group. "Mayan." No. 23+ ethnic groups+languages.
-- Within each ethnic group, many communities, many different identities & alliances; there is unity, but there is also plenty of conflict.
-- I'm interested in speaking to people from indigenous communities affected by violence under Montt who *do not* think trial's a good idea.
-- They exist, they're part of the story, and I hope to understand the full spectrum of social complexity here. Anyway: on the road now.
-- Guate: Spent day in a K'iche' village trying to find an indigenous person who thought genocide trial was a bad idea. Found only the opposite
-- Tortillando. (guatemala) pic.twitter.com/PK85zXAmVK
-- This child was conceived by rape. His extended family tried to obtain justice. There was none to be had.
Only [here] in Guatemala: President’s son, mayor of Mixco, gives out cakes with his face as present to townspeople. It’s actually his wedding photo. If you want an example of how unfathomably surreal domestic politics can be in Guatemala, look no further.
--Internet flyer for march tomorrow in Guatemala City is making the rounds. Pro-tribunal; (assassinated priest Monsignor) Gerardi. HT @skylightpix pic.twitter.com/LVrbu8TXL7
-- Guatemala: A march for an assassinated priest (Monsignor Juan Gerardi) & justice as genocide trial remains in limbo. Flores hearing under way.
-- 15 yrs ago today, Bishop Gerardi was beaten to death after releasing a report on Guatemalan armed conflict victims.
-- Recent campaign by pro-Montt group: Gerardi was Marxist who ”armed guerrilla conspiracy… complicit with terrorists." http://boingboing.net/2013/04/26/guatemala-a-march-for-an-assa.html
-- Some of you have asked about security measures. Here is my Guatemalan bodyguard.
-- Guatemala: Unconfirmed, but there’s word circulating that Rios Montt genocide trial will resume in Judge Barrios’ court tomorrow, Tue 830am..... Messages arriving indicating the trial is back ON TUESDAY April 30th 8:30AM... More details to follow.
-- Guatemala: Rios Montt and Sanchez appear in tribunal, here in Judge Barrios' courtroom, alone at their table apparently without lawyers.
-- Lic. Flores & Ramirez are public defenders present for Montt; Lic. Garcia Gudiel present also, currently yelling at Judge Barrios
-- Pro tip: Generally speaking, you can tell who the attorneys for Rios Montt are, because they’re the ones yelling at Judge Barrios.
-- Judge heard request from 1 of Montt’s public defenders who asked that she be excused from trial, because defendant lacks confidence in her. Montt already has lawyers he trusts, says public defender. Judge Barrios deliberates, then accepts her effective resignation from defense.
-- Public defenders Lidia Arevalo and Otto Ramirez are both asking Judge Barrios to please remove them from the genocide trial.
-- Ministerio Publico says legal wrangling on defense side is a tactic to slow down trial process. Judges now deliberate on defense’s request.
( these are only some tweets. If you read all the April 30 tweets, you'll see why the Ministerio Publico said that. Montt's lawyers were playing musical chairs, hide and seek and any game they could cook up)
-- For 2nd time since this genocide trial began on March 19, Montt asked to respond to charges against him. He takes the stand. Intense moment.
-- Reporters swarm around Montt as he addresses Judge.
-- When Judge Barrios first read charges to Montt, back when trial opened (March 19), he declined to respond; maintained silence in protest.
-- And once again, Montt declines to respond to court’s charges against him of genocide+crimes against humanity. He goes back to defense table.
-- Defense attorney Gudiel describes Barrios & colleagues as “tres delincuentes,” (three delinquents) says this is like “a Nazi court.”
-- Guatemalan in court said to me yesterday: “Of course our legal system here is opaque & confusing: that's how it protects those in power.” >>
-- >> Security through Obscurity
-- When we stepped outside court building, massively loud series of explosions in rapid-fire bursts; smoke. Then, relieved: fireworks for May 1. The Chapín cameraman I was standing next to at the time laughed with me. A new game for Guatemala: balaceras o bombas? Fireworks or gunfire? This place and these people really know how to party. And threat of death is ever-present. I don't think the two are unrelated.
-- Guatemala: government order declaring state of siege just this AM in 4 municipalities surrounding San Rafael Mine.
-- President Pérez Molina says gov will work with gov office of human rights to ensure human rights are respected amid state of siege
-- Guatemalan president: state of siege will be in effect for 30 days in 4 communities in the area around the mine. One month.
-- Pres. Molina: We have reports of large weapons; grenades, this is what made us realize this is more than a simple protest against mining.
-- Prez. Molina: “There are other interests mixing with those of the civil population, ‘other interests’ that are behind this situation.”
-- Molina: “It is prohibited to kidnap policemen, like what happened; also illegal to destroy state property in the area; steal explosives.”
-- Prez Molina: There are people using major weapons against the police who were assigned to the area to keep the peace in a neutral manner
-- Prez Molina: “There are people stealing weapons that belong to Guatemalan people… we are here to secure peace & stability in the country.”
-- Prez Molina: “We are maintaining a neutral position regarding the mine… our goal is to ensure the peace and tranquility of Guatemala.”
- Prez Molina: There have been high-caliber weapons, explosives for 6 mo in the hands of “small groups” in mining area.
-- Prez Molina: People who oppose mining in the area are the groups responsible for recent acts of violence that sparked state of siege.
-- Ministro de Gobernacion @mlopezbonilla “The application of law is not negotiable. Charges that we are criminalizing anti-mining protest in the area are false”
-- @mlopezbonilla & prez @ottoperezmolina also mentioned narcotrafficking by Los Zetas in Jalapa, 1 area now under siege today for 30 days.
-- “We have intelligence re: organized crime linked to Zetas in Jalapa" says @mlopezbonilla, justifying state of siege declared there. #guate
-- @mlopezbonilla: It is false that we are criminalizing objections to the mining in that area.
-- @mlopezbonilla: there are other disputed mines in other areas, we’re not declaring states of siege there. Org crime/Zetas crisis here.
-- @mlopezbonilla describes groups who were protesting metal mining in areas under state of siege “Merchants of Conflict.”
-- Prez. Molina: “The result of our investigations effectively prove that this state of siege does not necessarily have to do with the mine.”
....
-- Guatemala: Secty. of Christian Ecumenical Council calls state of siege enacted last night an act of "repression against social movements.”
-- Restrictions under State of Siege in #Guatemala:
- Freedom of movement
- Freedom of Assembly
- Right to bear arms
- Detention rights
-- …and right on time, ominous clouds, thunderclaps descend over Guatemala; the volcano of fire nearby emits white smoke & periodic “booms.”
adding a pic I found today
NASA captures Guatemala Volcano erupting from space
