Former US Ambassador to El Salvador Joins Protesters in a March for “Blue Democracy”

“El Agua no se vende se cuida y se defiende.” Chanted the protesters
(You do not sell water you take care of it and defend it)

One hundred and twenty five organizations from the social movement organized a protest last Friday, October 5 asking for “Blue Democracy”.  Blue Democracy sums up the Salvadoran social movements’ demands for increased investment in potable water throughout the country, a study of hydric resources, and just water law that benefits the Salvadoran population and protects the resource.

In celebration of International Water Day, 30,000 people marched through the streets of San Salvador , empty water containers placed on their heads symbolizing what they do not have in access to in their communities, water. The majority of the protesters were women, as it is women and children who are left to resolve the water crisis for their families. They often rise before the sun to begin the search for water. Hauling water from the polluted rivers and creeks to drink, cook, and wash clothes.

International Support
Walking in solidarity with the Salvadoran population were, former US Ambassador to El Salvador Robert White, daughter of Robert Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and Maryland legislator, Ana Sol Gutiérrez. ( click here to see Gutiérrez’s announcement )

“Power to the People, water is a human right!” Kathleen Kennedy yelled to the crowd at the rally before the march. “People of El Salvador want water, you deserve water…you can take the power!” These words of empowerment inspired the crowd. March participant Elizabeth Hernandez shared how much it meant to her that these powerful US political figures came to physically walk side-by-side in solidarity with the poor of El Salvador .

Addressing the multitude, Ana Sol Guitiérrez said “My people how beautiful you are, how beautiful that we are here, demanding the basic resource to life (water)….The moment has come where we say enough is enough, we want water now….We should not be here, because El Salvador should not be in this situation. It is incredible that the water situation in this country in comparable to countries like Haiti.”

Crisis Situation
Forty percent of people in El Salvador do not have water in their homes. But even for people who have “easy” access, water doesn’t always flow from the tap. Mejicanos resident Karina Monge complains, “I pay my water bill every month, but water flows only four to five hours a day. Sometimes we go days without water.” This has become the norm here in the city, and the situation is worse rural areas.

According to The Center for the Defense of the Consumer, El Salvador dedicated less than .03% of Gross Domestic Product to water. If El Salvador invested even a mere 1% of its GDP in water the situation improve dramatically.

Just three months ago, President Antonio Elias Saca went to Suchitoto to announce his plan to nationally privatize water resources. He was met by thousands of anti-privatization protesters demanding that the hydric resource be state-managed. Thirteen of the demonstrators were arrested and are being charged under the new anti-terrorism law. They have been released but the charges still stand. They are currently awaiting trial.

Not Without an Alternative
ARENA is pushing water decentralization. The social movements are saying “NO” and have provided an alternative. The Salvadoran Ecological Unit (UNES), and Catholic-based, CARITAS, have drafted a General Water Law which was submitted to the Legislative Assembly more than a year ago. This plan calls for state control of the resource, affirming that water is human right that should not be treated like a commodity. In addition, it details a strategy to protect the watersheds, rivers, and aquifers.

Angel Ibarra, Director of UNES, told the newspaper Colatino that the Legislative Assembly was chosen as the final destination for the march to pressure the assembly to pay attention to the water situation. “We want the Legislative Assembly to dedicate funds to this bill in their 2008 budget, we want dignity and equality for the General Water Law.”

The march has brought an equitable water law one step closer to application. On October 5, the leftist party, FMLN, Christian Democratic Party (PDC-in Spanish), and National Coalition Party (PCN-in Spanish) renewed their support of the General Water Law.