Hunger Striker Suffers Heart Attack
October 21st, 2012
The Mapuche community member of Wente Winkul Mapu, Leonardo Quijon was urgently transferred tonight to Temuco Hospital after suffering from cardiac arrest during his 21st day on Hunger Strike, where he has been without the consumption of water since this past Friday.
According to some community leaders, Leonardo suffered from strong chest pains that were due to an earlier cardiac complication, which later turned into cardiac arrest.
It should be noted that Leonardo Quijon was shot by unknown gunmen (either police or paramilitary – The Hernan Trizano Commando) in the area of Ercilla during October of 2009, when he was only a minor; where he was seriously wounded by the persecution of the State for allegedly participating in actions against investors, which were later on thrown out of court.
However, he would have to spend many months in prison before being declared innocent, where he endured a previous hunger strike in 2010 while being injured. Once again, he is being persecuted and imprisoneed for another case, carrying out yet another hunger strike – now dry – with an already deteriorated state of health.
The young hunger striker was returned to Temuco Prison shortly after midnight by the Gendarmerie, being held in the nurse station after denied undergoing blood tests.
He underwent an electrocardiogram that showed favourable results, but continues in a critical state of health. His family is calling out to be vigilant unto his condition in the next few hours.
País Mapuche
Distributed by: The Women’s Coordinating Committee for a Free Wallmapu [Toronto]
Women's Coordinating Committee for a Free Wallmapu 
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