Chain-link fence located near the pumping plant being removed for the second time. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera activists removed a chain-link fence  for the second time they claim had been placed in federal territory of Lake Chapala. 

The  action  took place last Friday, April 8, in the area that had been allegedly illegally fenced near the re-pumping plant of the Municipal Potable Water and Sewage System (SIMAPA), to the east of the town. 

On this occasion, not only was the fence removed, but it was cut up, and  the activists used hammers to destroy the bases where the posts are placed, so that the fence could not be put up again, as happened last time. Although the land owners tried to intimidate them by taking video, the activists were not deterred.

In addition to removing the fence, the bases where the pipes are placed were also cut and covered to prevent it from being put up again. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

At the end of the meeting, there was talk of returning to the beach in the area known as «Tío Domingo», where in August and September last year, at least seven fences were removed. Of all these, five have been rebuilt, and two of the lands allegedly illegally occupied have been planted with crops to justify their takeover by the adjacent landowners. Two of the alleged illegal fences have been rebuilt twice.

Also, two more disputed fences were recently removed to the east of Ajijic, at the end of Donato Guerra Street; in one of these, the owners chose to remove the entire fence and, in the other, they raised it again, however, it was removed again. 

The meetings of the group to act against this type of invasion will be announced through social networks. Members of the «anti-rejas» movement say that the participation of the Ajijitecos and other  interested parties is important, since it is an issue of interest for all the residents of the area around the lake.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan