The city of Merida in southern Mexico is considering a
petition from Mayan Indians in the area who are outraged over the erection of a
monument to Spanish conquistadors. The conquistadors led a brutal conquest of
the area in the 1500s.
The statue is a monument to Francisco de Montejo and his
son. The two were responsible for many battles over control of the Yucatan
Peninsula that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Mayans and the
suppression of their culture.
Artemio Kaamal, a representative of a Mayan activist group,
declared that the monument “injures the identity and roots of the Mayan
people.” He added in reference to the conquest, “Five hundred years
later, they think we are still the same, but not any more. Now we hold our
heads high in dignity.”
Over 100 Mayan activist groups and their supporters filed
the petition to have the statue removed.
A decision will be made before the end of August.
