Mapuche Vegetable Vendors File Lawsuit for Assault Against Municipal Inspectors in Temuco, Calling It Institutional Racism

Original article: Acusan “racismo institucional”: Hortaliceras mapuche presentan querella tras agresión de inspectores municipales de Temuco

Lawsuit Filed for Assault by Municipal Inspectors Against Mapuche Vendor in Downtown Temuco

The Mapuche Vendor Association Kellu Zomo Wen has initiated legal action against a municipal inspector following the assault of a member in downtown Temuco. The incident occurred on August 11 at the intersection of Manuel Montt and Manuel Bulnes streets, where 21-year-old Mapuche vendor Alejandra Llaupe Llanquitur reportedly suffered punches to the face and head, as well as a knee injury during a scuffle with municipal officials.

This information was shared by the Mapuche Vendor Association Kellu Zomo Wen and was echoed by Radio Kurruf.

Also see the press report from abajoelalinea.tv: Featuring interventions from attorney Karina Riquelme, and leaders Yolanda Llanquitur and Sandra Marín, regional president of ANEF, available at the following link:

Lawsuit Details and Attorney Statements

The legal action was filed on August 13 at the Temuco Guarantee Court by attorney Karina Riquelme Viveros, representing a group of 25 Mapuche producers who sell their products in the city center.

«The violence instigated by the local authority, leading to confrontations between officials and Mapuche vendors, is far from what one expects from a political figure. You fail as a politician when you resort to force, especially against Mapuche women—this not only represents a failure but also reflects a racist attitude from someone in a position of governance meant to serve everyone and seek peaceful solutions through public policy, not force that resulted in a 21-year-old woman being injured,» Riquelme stated following the lawsuit filing.

Account of the Incident

According to the information presented in the lawsuit, when the vendors arrived at the site, they encountered a group of municipal inspectors who, according to the lawsuit, aimed to prevent their sales. Subsequently, there were arguments and scuffles, during which inspectors allegedly used shields to push the women and also deployed pepper spray. In this context, the affected vendor reportedly suffered a trip, causing her to fall and injure her right knee, followed by receiving a punch to the cheek and another to the head.

Following the incident, the vendor filed a report with Carabineros officials who later arrived at the site. The lawsuit states that the municipal inspector identified as the assailant was detained for assault and taken to the Second Carabineros Station in Temuco, later being cautioned by the on-duty prosecutor.

Medical attention later confirmed injuries to the cheek and the right knee. The medical report notes an excoriated injury on the cheek, with swelling and pain upon palpation, along with an excoriated injury approximately three centimeters in the right knee, causing pain that limited movement of the limb.

“We Have Returned to Violence”

Yolanda Llanquitur, president of the Kellu Zomo Wen Association, characterized the event as a setback in relations with the municipality: «This is a regression; we have returned to violence. At the beginning of Mayor Neira’s term, he called us, apologized, and promised that what is happening now would never occur again. We have credentials issued by the Municipality, and we have not been formally informed of anything; we have only faced violence when we arrived at our work stations, after being removed from Paseo Bulnes, also without notice«.

Requested Actions

The lawsuit requests an investigation into the events and accountability for those responsible for the assault. Among the requested actions is a police investigation order (PDI) to gather testimonies from eyewitnesses, the collection of surveillance footage in the area, and the taking of statements from the victim and witnesses who assisted the affected party during the assault.

SEE ALSO: Record of Mapuche Vendors in Temuco

as/ ElCiudadano