Protest by Evangelicals in Oaxaca over Religious Violence and Forced Displacement

In the heart of Mexico, the southern state of Oaxaca has been embroiled in a contentious issue of religious intolerance. Members of the Interdenominational Christian Church (ICIAR) recently staged a protest in front of the National Palace, demanding respect for freedom of worship and an end to the persecution of Christians in the region.

The protesters, carrying banners that read "No to communities that burn temples", "Stop persecution against the Christians of Cerro de Cajón", and "We expect a prompt response from our government", voiced their concerns about the ongoing persecution in the municipality of San Isidro El Arenal, San Juan Lalana, most notably in Cerro Cajón.

The slogan "Freedom, Freedom" echoed through the air, accompanied by prayers, songs, and banners, expressing solidarity with the persecuted Christians in the region. The protest was a poignant display of the community's resolve, with some protesters unable to hold back their tears as they prayed for the welfare of their brethren.

The persecution in Cerro Cajón has been a long-standing issue, with reports of forced displacements, human rights violations, property damage, and murders. The evangelical church was burned, land was taken, cattle were stolen, and homes of 13 Christians were destroyed. Pastor Hernández García reported persecution by the authorities of the Christians in Cerro Cajón since November 2023.

Lorenzo Antonio Hernández, an evangelical Christian from Cerro Cajón, has been expelled and persecuted because of his faith. The Christian community in Cerro Cajón contributes to the quotas of the Roman Catholic patron saint of Cerro Cajón, yet they have faced severe consequences for practicing their faith.

In some indigenous communities in Oaxaca, professing religions other than Roman Catholicism is forbidden. This religious intolerance has been worsening in Oaxaca, with the Mexican Constitution's guarantee of freedom of religion seemingly disregarded.

The Confraternity of Pastors of Oaxaca has denounced poor attention given by the Secretary of the State Government (SEGO) to these issues. The recent disappearance of three women in Cerro Cajón has further highlighted the urgency of the situation.

While specific organizations that organized protests against religious violence and forced displacement of Evangelicals in Oaxaca are not explicitly identified, there are indications of activism involving indigenous and base church organizations in southern Mexico (e.g., in Chiapas and Chilón). One notable figure mentioned is Arnulfo García Santos, a Triqui activist from Oaxaca; he was subject to judicial persecution, implying some level of activism related to Indigenous and religious rights in the region.

The protest at the National Palace was a powerful call for action, underscoring the need for the government to address the escalating conflicts of religious intolerance in Oaxaca and uphold the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith.