Guatemalan Mayas Will Purify After Bush
The National Indigenous and Farmer Coordinator called a vigil for Sunday to protest US President George W.Bush s visit to Guatemala.

The protest will take place at the park in Tecpan, Chimaltenango Department, where Bush will visit ceremonial centers.

"We are offended by Bush s stepping on the land of Iximche, which is a sacred site for us," Coordinator leader Juan Tiney told Prensa Latina.

Iximche, which means corn plant in the indigenous language, was the capital of the former realm of the Kakchiqueles, a community that descends from the Mayas.

The farm leader also condemned the persecution and deportation of Guatemalans in the United States, which he described as an expression of xenophobia and racism by the US government.

After the US president s visit, the Mayas will perform a ritual cleansing of the area to expel Bush s bad warmongering spirits and bring peace and harmony to the sacred place, Tiney said.

The Continental Indigenous Summit, which will be attended by some 2,000 delegates, will be held in that same place March 26-30.