The Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group is one of many groups across the world 
which support the Zapatistas in their struggle. Our main purpose is to raise awareness of the Zapatista struggle and to give practical help wherever possible.
We aim to do this by organising talks, film showings, benefit gigs, street stalls and direct actions as well as publishing articles. We import Zapatista produce such as coffee, clothing and jewellery for sale with the money going directly back to the communities.
In Spring 2004 the Edinburgh-Chiapas Solidarity Group and the Glasgow Zapatista Solidarity Group twinned with the '16 de Febrero' Zapatista autonomous municipality. The municipality is in a poor, rural community which lacked access to basic medical care and education. We have raised funding that enabled the community to build a health clinic in their area and further help is now needed to purchase medical equipment and supplies.
The EdinChiapas group is part of the 'UK Zapatista Network'.
Urgent Appeal for donations: Hurricanes devastate Southern Mexico
Last October, hurricanes Wilma and Stan wrought massive devastation to Central America. In southern Chiapas, heavy rainfall, landslides and flooding have devastated city districts, destroyed coastal villages, and ruined harvests.
The Zapatista Clandestine Revolutionary Command is appealing for international civil society to help organise direct aid for the region, in order to rebuild the lives of those affected. In response, Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group has decided to send £170 from group funds to Chiapas to help with the relief efforts and is appealing for supporters to contribute as well.
Starbucks picket - 2 July
As 250,000 people marched through Edinburgh under the banner of "Make Poverty History", activists from Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Campaign set up a stall outside Starbucks on the Royal Mile. Free cups of coffee (grown in autonomous Zapatista co-operatives) were handed out along with leaflets condemning Starbucks' relationship with Conservation International and its role in trade imperialism in Chiapas.
The picket was a great success as Starbucks remained almost empty for large parts of the day ensuring that it could not take advantage of the large numbers of people supposedly in Edinburgh to campaign for trade justice. There was also a substantial amount of money generously donated towards our appeal to build a health clinic in our twinned autonomous municipality "16th February".
Red Alert declared in Zapatista Zones
The EZLN has declared a red alert in the autonomous zones of Chiapas, and it's members, as well as members of the Good Government Juntas have gone into hiding. Radio Insurgente has suspended it's broadcasts, peace observers and workers in the autonomous communities have been urged to leave the territories, and the EZLN has issued a disclaimer releasing it's supporters from 'any responsibility for the future actions of the EZLN'. The EZLN has also issued a communiqué explaining that it is holding a consulta , a form of conference to decide on an important issue related to the future of the Zapatista struggle
Read the communiqué announcing the alert, and the subsequent communiqué mentioning the consulta.
Protesters picket Edinburgh Starbucks
Protesters picketed Starbucks in Edinburgh and Glasgow city centres on the 20th of November. The protests were called by the Industrial Workers of the World, Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group and Glasgow Zapatistas in solidarity with New York Starbucks workers and with the rebel indigenous movement in Mexico. Free Zapatista coffee was handed out to passers-by and prospective Starbucks customers and leaflets were distributed exposing Starbucks union-busting tactics and it's links with 'Conservation International' an enviromental "greenwash" organisation which has links with multinationals and the US government and which has called on the Mexican government to evict indigenous people from Montes Azules.
News from Chiapas: Zapatista supporter murdered
In yet another depressing example of paramilitary violence against the Zapatistas, a Zapatista supporter, Jose Arias Santis, was murdered by paramilitaries in the community of Pechiquil on August the 12th.
Zapatista craftwork for sale
We have a fair amount of Zapatista craftwork, including silver and amber jewellery, bags, bandanas and cloth for sale. These items were made in the autonomous community of "16 de Febrero". Pictures of these items, and prices are can be seen here, and pictures of the craftspeople themselves are here
All proceeds from the sale will go towards building an autonomous health clinic in the municipality
Mexican Army Burns Down Zapatista Village
Mexican armed forces have attacked the Zapatista community of Nuevo San Rafael, burning down 23 homes and violently evicting the Chol indigenous inhabitants. The attack, reported variously as happening on either 19 or 22 January, took place in the remote Montes Azules jungle area of Chiapas.
Get Involved
We invite you to join our email list (sign up here) and to attend our regular organising meetings.
Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group,
c/o 17 West Montgomery Place
Edinburgh
EH7 5HA
Scotland
Email: edinchiapas@yahoo.co.uk
The EdinChiapas group is part of the 'UK Zapatista Network': ukzapatistas.wordpress.com
