March 14 to April 22, raise your voice with water & land defenders in Colombia & Canada. | View in browser.

Photo: Jaguos por el territorio

"I’m absolutely sure I would not be alive today were it not for solidarity. Every message of concern sent, every urgent action appeal, you can’t imagine how important that is for those of us who face violence in our territories."

- Isabel Zuleta, water defender with Rios Vivos in Colombia

Dear John,

Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world are on the front lines of the climate crisis – and at the forefront of vital efforts to avert it. Their courageous voices together with those of other affected communities have become a powerful, collective call for action to protect humanity and our planet.

The situation could not be more urgent – or more dangerous. Water and land defenders in the Americas are facing rapidly increasing threats and attacks for daring to assert their rights, denounce negative impacts and press for justice.

That’s why Amnesty International is supporting the vital efforts of grassroots movements, led by Indigenous peoples, seeking to protect a healthy environment for all.

From March 14 to April 22, join us for our “Defending Water, Defending Land” campaign to raise our voices with courageous defenders in Canada and Colombia for action on three urgent human rights cases:

People of the Rios Vivos (Living Rivers) movement in Colombia who are facing deadly threats for speaking out about the impacts of a Canadian-funded dam;
Indigenous peoples and area residents struggling to stop further polluting of Quesnel Lake after the Mount Polley disaster in British Columbia; and
Indigenous women facing harassment and violence at a dam construction site in northern Manitoba.

You can learn more about the campaign here >>

Use Twitter? You can help us kick off these weeks of action by tweeting a message of concern for the rights and safety of Rios Vivos river defenders in Colombia. It takes only a few seconds, and it’s so important to make our solidarity visible!

And please watch for an email tomorrow, Saturday, March 14th, International Day of Action for Rivers, for more ways to make a difference!

We hope you’ll join us in the coming weeks to act together in solidarity with inspiring water and land defenders so they can continue to lead the way on rights-based energy solutions without fear of harm.

Thank you for your support,

Ana, Jackie, Kathy & Tara
Campaigns Team
Amnesty International Canada