Greenpeace Activists Rally for Environmental Protection
Activists from Greenpeace gathered in the Zócalo of Mexico City to once again demand the cancellation of a proposed mega ammonia plant that Gas y Petroquímica de Occidente (GPO), a subsidiary of the Swiss-German company Proman, plans to establish in Topolobampo, Sinaloa. Approximately twenty environmental defenders participated in the protest, during which two individuals scaled the flagpole in the Plaza de la Constitución to hang a banner reading “President: Protect Topolobampo!” This action was part of what the environmental organisation described as a peaceful demonstration.
Among the participants was the collective ¡Aquí No!, an organisation that has spent over 13 years urging the Mexican government and environmental authorities to halt the development of the ammonia factory. They argue that the facility, which promises to produce up to 2,200 tonnes of ammonia, poses serious threats to local ecosystems as well as the health and cultural survival of the indigenous Yoreme people.
Greenpeace Mexico stated, “We assert that the territory and natural resources belong to all Mexicans; defending them requires the solidarity and involvement of everyone living from the south to the north of the country. We call on all to join this cause until the cancellation of Proman’s ammonia plant in Topolobampo is achieved. It is for Ohuira, it is for Mexico,” as expressed in a recent statement.
Ongoing Protests and Government Response
The demonstration coincided with the 100-day mark of a sit-in and civil resistance campaign aimed at exerting pressure for the definitive cancellation of the project. In response to the protests, the federal government announced the formation of three technical teams that will evaluate the current conditions of the project between September 7 and 11. Environmental defenders accepted this proposal but reiterated that such an endorsement should not be interpreted as approval for the plant’s progress under any circumstances.
The non-profit organisation further elaborated that the protests serve as “a call to seize the opportunity to do what is right to safeguard the environment, ecosystems, and the lives that depend on them, in alignment with the discourse of sovereignty, social justice, and environmental protection frequently articulated by the president.”
During a morning press conference, Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, indicated that her administration has yet to reach a definitive decision regarding the plant. However, she acknowledged that construction is ongoing and has made significant progress.
Community Engagement and Environmental Concerns
President Sheinbaum reported that her administration has been holding meetings and assemblies with the communities in the Ohuira bay area for the past three months to understand their concerns regarding potential threats posed by the project to the environment, their culture, livelihoods, and local biodiversity. “What we seek is to ensure that the lagoon will not be contaminated… The communities are participating and, as always, nothing by force, but everything through reason,” she concluded.