Guatemala: Human Chain Protest Against Domestic Violence

Thousands of demonstrators gather on Saturday to climb a volcano and send a message against domestic violence in Guatemala.

              

They're looking to form a record-breaking human chain up the slopes of an ancient volcano.

 

The British Embassy is one of the main backers of the event, called "Climb For Life." 

              

[Julie Chappell, British Ambassador to Guatemala]:

"We're doing it as part of a campaign that is all about domestic violence and its trying to get young leaders to start a generational change in attitudes where people say, 'until now we've sort of accepted there is a culture of violence but no more, we don't want this culture of violence' and it's something that young people can change." 

 

According to activists, hundreds of women are murdered each year in Guatemala and authorities receive tens of thousands of complaints of domestic violence annually.

              

Participants want to send a positive message of love to the world.

 

[Pedro Cruz, Hiker in Event]:         

"Come and discover the tourist spots like beautiful volcanos such as the one we are visiting today and also to reject violence, in particular domestic violence. The principal message is show love and no more violence."

             

Guatemala's newest leader Otto Perez participated in the event and greeted fellow participants. 

 

The former military strongman has staked his presidency on ending crippling violence.              

 

[Otto Perez, Guatemala's President]:

"We want violence to end in this country. We don't want Guatemala to be amongst the most violent countries in the world."

 

The awe-inspiring Water Volcano, also known as Hunahpu by indigenous Mayans, rises more than 12 thousand feet above sea level and towers over the picturesque colonial city of Antigua.