In Peru, thousands of anti-mining protesters took control of an airport in the southern region of Puno Saturday, one day after riot police killed five activists. Hours before the occupation took place, departing president Alan Garcia revoked the license of Canadian mining firm Bear Creek in an attempt to convince local residents to end protests that have dragged on for more than a month. The mining company has said it would sue the Peruvian government to get its concession back. Local indigenous groups have demanded the right to approve or deny mining operations in their communities and denounced the companies over concerns of pollution. Protesters said they would continue to resist the mining industry.

Protester: “Those people who have died have relatives; they have children. It isn’t possible that all of this is happening here. We are going to offer up our lives. It’s not possible that they kill all of us just for defending the Ramis River from contamination.”