Join us May 19th at 5 pm at the Roastery for a talk with Jose from Maya Vinic!
Where: The Roastery at Higher Grounds Trading Co. Check out the map here.
When: Monday May 19th at 5pm
Who: Jose Perez Vasquez, President of Maya Vinic Coffee Cooperative in Chiapas, Mexico
Why: To celebrate the accomplishments of Maya Vinic and learn more about fair trade and organic coffee cooperatives
Join us as we welcome Jose Perez Vasquez, President of Maya Vinic Coffee Cooperative to Traverse City, Michigan this Monday, May 19 at 5 pm - 7 pm. With his coffee in tow, Jose will lead a tasting and talk about his fair trade and organic coffee cooperative and the Las Abejas Civil Society which he helped to form in 1992. He will also have his wife’s mayan weavings for sale.
Jose’s inspirational story is rich with courage. Jose is the co-founder of Las Abejas Civil Society, a non-violent Mayan organization dedicated to the struggle for indigenous rights in Chiapas, Mexico. In ‘92 the organization was formed after the Mexican government wrongly imprisoned his brother and 4 other neighbors. After thousands marched on the capital of the state of Chiapas to demand their release, his brother was freed from jail after just 27 days. In ‘96 to present day, the Las Abejas Civil Society has been internationally recognized as brokers of peace in Chiapas and outspoken critics of neoliberal economic policies and its effects on the countryside. As a result of this role, Jose and the Las Abejas people have been brutally oppressed, leading to the massacre in Acteal of 45 people in 1997. Jose currently acts as President of the Maya Vinic coffee cooperative, overseeing the collection and exportation of organic and fair trade coffees from over 400 members in the Mayan Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico.
We look forward to seeing you there! Call with any questions: 231.922.9009