In 2019, when the photo shown above was taken, the Mapuche community Lautaro was threatened by plans to construct a toxic waste-to-energy incinerator claiming to produce “clean, renewable energy” in a town already impacted by pollution from a biomass burning plant. This march was held in the rain on the last day of a public comment period to deliver thousands of comments against the project. On December 20, 2023 the incinerator was defeated.
The following is an account, written December 21, 2023, from Orin Langelle who is the co-founder of GJEP, a photojournalist, and the Director of Langelle Photography.
This great news was just received from my friend, colleague and GJEP board member, Alejandra Parra. Parra is a co-founder of RADA (Red de Acción Por Los Derechos Ambientales – Environmental Rights Action Network). WTE Araucanía is a “Waste To Energy” trash incinerator that would have polluted surrounding Mapuche communities and the environment. These so-called “Green incinerators” are another false solution to climate change.The photo is part of a collection in my brand new book called Portraits of Struggle. Find out more about the book and how to order it at PortraitsOfStruggle.org
See more about this victory in the article RADA and the Mapuche communities of Lautaro celebrate a new victory against WTE Araucanía. The third photo in the article includes Alejandra Parra (far left).
