Historic Animal Rights Demonstration In Guatemala

SUNDAY 30 JANUARY 2011 saw the first public demonstration ever in Guatemala claiming respect, rights and legislation for all animals. There have been unconfirmed reports that that day’s events were a first for the whole of Central America, but let’s stick with the feeling, and not get too hyperbolic.

The atmosphere was relaxed, cheerful, benign. Even when national idol Hot
Sugar Mama took the stage the excitement level barely rose above ‘calm, with
smiles’. People knew they had made history, that they were participating in
a historic moment, and that they didn’t need to get all fired up about it.
The satisfaction and the optimism were enough.

The brainchild of Pilar de Naranjo and organised by Paz Animal Guatemala and
volunteers from AWARE, the March had been several months in the planning. A titanic amount of work went into the organization, and all those who
assisted in this process, most of whom are happy to remain anonymous,
deserve to be canonised, decorated, lauded and feted, praised and glorified,
and will be remembered by future generations of animal lovers as those
pioneers who paved the way to a better life for all animals in Guatemala and
the region.

Almost every animal welfare group in Guatemala was represented – many until
then unknown to many of the others. The organisers, however, had exercised a ‘zero tolerance’ selection process, and excluded groups whose aim, for
example, consists in nothing beyond self-promotion, or whose policy includes
the acceptance of both professional and non-professional animal breeders for
the growing household pet market.

The marchers gathered early at the assembly point on Guatemala City’s
elegant (and aptly named) Avenida La Reforma, making new friends and
mingling with old ones, admiring the costumed dogs and painted people,
nodding approvingly at the variety of placards requesting redress of the
whole gamut of Man’s abuses of animals.

The organisers did a smooth job of marshalling the parade into an orderly
shape that moved off south down La Reforma in clear sunshine under a blue
sky, with a song in the hearts, a spring in the step and a brave face to the
world. “Come and join the march to help the animals!” was one of the chants
which swelled in the morning air, though the one which best summed up the
whole purpose and tenor of the day’s events, and which the marchers repeatedover and over on their way to El Obelisco was “Maltrato animal al Codigo Penal!” (Outlaw animal abuse!)

We are all proud to have been there on that sunny day, part of a joyful and
peaceful collective effort at last to bring Guatemala into line with other
nations who recognise that animals have feelings, are valuable members of
society, and whose rights must also be protected under the law. “Somos la
voz de los sin voz!” rose the cry. (We are the voice of the voiceless ones!)

El Obelisco - the grand plaza at the south end of La Reforma - was the
destination of the march, where specially laid-on entertainment awaited in
the form of a number of national musical celebrities who had donated their
time and talent to the cause. Marchers and onlookers milled amongst the
stalls, listening to the music, enjoying the sunshine and the feeling of
accomplishment. A great day was had by all – a day that no one who was there will ever forget.