"La tierra y los recursos naturales no se venden, se defienden" reads the banner in the center of the image, "The land and natural resources are not for sale; we defend them."

Residents of the municipality of Cunén hold a banner displaying the results of a historic popular referendum held in October, 2009. 11,216 adults and 7,808 children, a total of 18,924 residents, voted "No" against the installation of megaprojects in the municipality.

Mayors of several communities participated in the submission of the declarations wielding "varas," ceremonial staffs symbolic of community authority.

"La consulta de Cunén está firme, pase lo que pase" reads the banner in the center of the image "The referendum of Cunén stands, come what may."

The national press covered the presentation of the community declarations.

The submission of the declarations took place in the "Salón de los pasos perdidos" of the Congress, an important point of encounter between the population and elected officials.