News: 2003

Archived news from 2003

(4^th Dec 2003) Fundraising party for Kiptik, at Cabaret Voltaire

We are hosting a fiesta in support of the Kiptik water project, working with the Zapatistas to construct drinking water systems in Zapatista villages.

A latin music night with DJ Son de Rumba. 11pm till late mon 8 Dec at Cabaret Voltaire, 36-38 Blair St. off Royal Mile. Entry 3 quid at the door

Come along - and bring your dancing shoes! There will be Kiptik calendars and other stuff for sale.

For more info on Kiptik, see

http://www.kiptik.buz.org

If you can help with publicity or on the night please get in touch urgently - thanks

(4^th Dec 2003) Next organising meeting on 12th January

The next meeting of the Edinburgh-Chiapas Solidarity Group meeting is on Tues 12 Jan 7.30pm at ACE, 17 W Montgomery Place

All interested are very welcome. Some people in the group are going to Chiapas soon, so more folk needed to help keep things going.

One of the projects for the New Year will be the showing of a film on resistance to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, jointly with scotland.indymedia.org

(4^th Dec 2003) Kiptik Calendars for sale

Only five pounds for these 2004 calendars, with beautiful black and white photos, quotes from the Zapatistas, and space to write in your revolutionary appointments..

Available in Edinburgh from ACE, Wordpower, Flip basement or write to us enclosing a cheque for six pounds (to cover post and packing) made out to ACE.

(4^th Dec 2003) News of Group Activity

Following 2 recent successful street stalls in Princes St and George Square, on 2nd Dec 3 group members went through to Glasgow to speak to the Glasgow University Geography Society.

A successful meeting and slide show involved some good questions and discussion, distribution of free material on the zapatista struggle, and the sale of 64 pounds worth of calendars, coffee, t shirts, books etc.

If you are involved in a Uni or College society or other group do consider inviting us along to speak.

(4^th Dec 2003) Glasgow Zapatista Solidarity group formed

A Zapatista solidarity group has now started in Glasgow and are planning activities for the New Year, send us an e mail if you live in or near Glasgow and would like to be put in touch.

(4^th Dec 2003) Zapatista workshop at Glasgow Anarchist Dayschool

We are holding a workshop at the Glasgow Anarchist Day School on Sunday 13th December.

The day school is at The Annexe Healthy Living Centre, 9a Stewartville St, Partick, Glasgow from 10am till 11pm. See www.nocog.org/~autonomy for more details.

(18^th Nov 2003) Next Group Meeting on Tuesday 25^th November

The meeting venue is the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 West Montgomery Place EH7 5HA tel 0131 557 6242 (junction with Brunswick Road, short walk from Elm Row/ Leith Walk) All are welcome to help plan upcoming activity.

(18^th Nov 2003) 20th anniversary of the foundation of the EZLN, and the 10th anniversary of the Uprising

Recently we witnessed the 20th anniversary of of the formation of the EZLN on 10^th November 1983, and the 10th anniversary of the uprising on 1^st January 1994 is just around the corner. Here is a statement by Subcommandante Marcos on the '20 & 10, Fire and Word' campaign.

(23^rd Oct 2003) Zapatista Solidarity stall

There will be a Zapatista solidarity stall Fri 31st October Princes St in front of St Johns, 12 onwards We are holding this stall to coincide with the demo in London, and will be distributing leaflets and selling merchandise to raise funds for the Kiptik water project and the communities in resistance. Any help in staffing the stall, and also in helping carry the stall table and materials to Princes St, would be much appreciated.
The stall will be in front of St Johns Church, opposite McDonalds, on Princes St near to the junction with Lothian Rd

(23^rd Oct 2003) Edinburgh Chiapas group meeting

The next group meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11th November at ACE, 17 W Montgomery Place. All welcome

Among the things to discuss are a planned fundraising party, a proposed demo at the USA consulate, selling the Kiptik calendars and any events to coincide with EZLN 20th birthday and the 10th anniversary of the uprising – see below.

(23^rd Oct 2003) Zapatista Solidarity demo in London

At least one person from Edinburgh is going already - one more and we could make a banner for them to hold!

ZAPATISTA ACTION:
PROTEST AGAINST THE EXPULSIONS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE MONTES AZULES BIORESERVE
9 YEARS ON THE STRUGGLE IN CHIAPAS CONTINUES

Indigenous communities in the Montes Azules bio-reserve are being threatened with expulsion and are being terrorised by both the Mexican government as well as right wing paramilitaries. Montes Azules is a region that is central to the Plan Puebla Panama. The PPP is an American sponsored, $20 billion, 25 year industrial development and transportation infrastructure project which includes plans to build new highways, ports, gas grids, hydroelectric projects, agricultural modernization and the expansion of sweat shop labour into Chiapas all for the interests of multinational capital and at the expense of the impoverished indigenous communities of Chiapas and causing much environmental destruction.

9 YEARS ON WE ARE STILL ALL ZAPATISTAS

Whilst all the worlds focus is on the colonisation of Iraq by the US and UK; and the racist apartheid system in Israel, do not forget the racist apartheid in Mexico and the colonisation of Indigenous peoples.

WE SAY:

 

NO TO THE LAND EVICTIONS!!

 

PARAMILITARISM IS STATE TERRORISM!!

 

TOTAL REJECTION OF THE PLAN PUEBLA-PANAMA!!

 

THE SAN ANDRES ACCORDS ARE THE LAW WE WANT TO SEE!!

 

ZAPATISTA AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPALITIES LIVE!!

 

TAKE ACTION:

 

OCTOBER 31ST PROTEST OUTSIDE THE MEXICAN EMBASSY

 

MEET AT 11AM AT SPEAKERS CORNER, HYDE PARK (NEAREST TUBE MARBLE ARCH) AND

 

THEN MARCH TOWARDS THE EMBASSY ON 42 HERTFORD STREET W1J 7JR

 

NOVEMBER THIS YEAR WILL BE THE ZAPATISTAS 20TH BIRTHDAY, CELEBRATE 20 YEARS

 

OF REBELLION!! SHOW YOU SOLIDARITY!!

 

BRING FRIENDS, NOISE, BANNERS AND SKI MASKS

 

For further details contact London Zapatista Action at weareallzapatistas@yahoo.co.uk

(23^rd Oct 2003) Zapatista calendars for sale from Edinburgh-Chiapas Solidarity Group

We have received a large number of beautiful 2004 Zapatista calendars from Kiptik, which we are selling to raise funds for the Kiptik water project. They are five pounds. Entitled IMAGES AND MURALS FROM THE ZAPATISTA REBEL ZONES the calendar has 13 high quality black and white photographs. For each month there is a photo, a page with the days of the month noting holidays and important Zapatista anniversaries and leaving space to write appointments, and a Zapatista quotation.

You can buy a calendar for five pounds at one of the group meetings or by coming into the Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh at 17 W Montgomery Place (open tues 1-4pm and sun 2-6pm). Alternatively send us five pounds plus one pound for post and packing (we have not got a bank account yet so hidden cash, or a cheque made out to ACE please). We also hope that Wordpower on west nicholson st will take the calendars , though we may have to increase the price there to allow for any commission they may take.

We hope people involved in the Group will take calendars to sell to friends.

The calendars are really good, and would make an excellent present. All the funds raised goes directly to buy materials etc for the projects building drinking water systems in the Zapatista villages. More on Kiptik at http://www.kiptik.buz.org.

The quotation for September is from Comandante Bruce Lee:
"We the Zapatistas clearly state that our struggle is not only for us, the indigenous, it is for all the indigenous and non-indigenous....We do not have to wait until the bad government gives us permission. We shold organise as true rebels and not wait for someone to give us permission to be autonomous..."

Also, just in - ZAPATISTA COFFEE!!!

We now have some delicious zapatista coffee to sell, 3 quid a packet, get in touch if you would like some. Plus we still have some T shirts , zapatista dolls, cds, tapes, bandanas - most of these available in ACE as well as at group meetings, or send us an e mail.

(23^rd Oct 2003) More news of Group activity

We aim to organise a fundraising event, one of our group is a DJ who is going to play, we are now looking for a good venue.

 

We have been invited to speak at Glasgow Uni Geography Society on 2 December

 

We are going to collaborate with indymedia scotland on the showing of a new film on resistance to the Free Trade Area of the Americas

 

We hope to hold a stall or do some activity on the day of the london demo, 31 october

 

In addition to the calendars we have t shirts, zapatista dolls, cds, tapes, badges and bandanas to sell

(23^rd Oct 2003) Call to celebrate two important Zapatista anniversaries

A call has gone out from Rebeldia magazine to celebrate the formation of the EZLN 20 years ago, and also the 10^th anniversary of the famous Zapatista uprising on New Years Day 1994. Here are the details.

(10^th Sep 2003)Edinburgh-Chiapas Solidarity Group meeting

The next meeting is at 7pm on Sunday 28^th September at ACE, 17 W Montgomery Place.All interested are welcome to help with organising our activity.Also if you are interested in going to Chiapas. If you cannot make it but would like to help you can ring during the meeting - 0131 557 6242. The meeting venue is on junction with Brunswick Road, which is off Leith Walk - its only 10-15 mins walk from east end of Princes Street..

If you would like to continue chatting in an informal setting after the meeting, some of us will be going to an ACE social in the nearby CWU club on Brunswick Street.

(22^nd Aug 2003) Next Organising Meeting

Group organising meeting Sunday 31^st August 7.30pm at ACE, 17 W Montgomery Place (junction with Brunswick Road, which runs off Leith Walk. tel 557 8242). All interested in helping organise our activities, or who just want to find out more, are welcome.

(22^nd Aug 2003) More from the Oventic encuentro

Here is an article by Mike explaining more about the Zapatista meeting at Oventic on the weekend of 9^th-10^th August at Oventik.

(13^th Aug 2003) Zapatistas declare self government

At the Zapatista

encuentro

in Oventic on August 9

^th

, the ELZN announced several major changes to it's operations in Chiapas, effectively declaring political autonomy in the areas it controls, while at the same time withdrawing itself from government in those areas. From now on, control of EZLN-held areas will be transferred to civilian 'Good Government Juntas', overseeing 30 autonomous municipalities. The Zapatistas also announced that they would no longer operate checkpoints or collect taxes in Chiapas, but would still act to defend the indigenous communities if necessary.

Chiapas Indymedia

has the translated text of some of the statements made at the gathering.

(1^st Aug 2003) Next Meeting

Group organising meeting Sunday 10 august 7.30pm at ACE, 17 W Montgomery Place (junction with Brunswick Road, which runs off Leith Walk. tel 557 8242). All interested in helping organise our activities, or who just want to find out more, are welcome.

(1^st Aug 2003) Important new EZLN communiques

Over the past few days, Subcommandante Marcos, spokesperson for the EZLN, has produced an extraordinary series of communiques outlining some major changes in the structure of the autonomous communities, the EZLN, their strategy and their relationships with civil society.

Read the first communique
Read the second communique
Read the third communique
Read the fourth communique
Read the fifth communique

(1^st Aug 2003) Festival play including content about the Zapatistas

Adventures in a Bath by Ysabel Collyer

Directed by Morven Gregor

Freda wants to create a revolution from her bath.

Ysabel Collyer and Robyn Hunt take us through Freda's journey as she struggles to find her place in the world. Inspired by the Zapatista struggle in Mexico, Freda wakes up to the world around her but will past voices and memories of her own struggles allow her to see beyond her bathtub?

Told with good humour, self-irony and film footage this story of a 21st woman will entertain everyone.

Theatre Workshop performance Dates:
Venue 20, 34 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh
August 7 - 10, 7.30 pm
August 11 - 16, 3.00 pm
August 18 - 24, 7.00 pm
August 22 - Signed Performance

Tickets: £7.50 (£4.00)
Box Office No: 0131 2265425

Group Meeting

The next organising meeting is at 7pm on Sunday 27th July, at ACE, 17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh. Topics discussed will include a stall at the festival play 'Adventures in a Bath', showing at the Theatre Workshop, Stockbridge at 7-16 and 18-24 August, the possibility of an event during the Festival and taking over some of the work of the Chiapaslink group in Bristol (who are winding down), among other things.

News from Chiapas

a) Latest Zapatista communiques

Originally published in Spanish by the CCRI-CG of the EZLN and the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities of Chiapas

To the People of Mexico: To the Peoples of the World:

Brothers and Sisters:

This is our word:

FIRST. - The globalization of power has demonstrated throughout the world that it has entered its most aggressive stage by making military war its primary weapon of domination. Nonetheless, the attack against the people of Iraq not only bore witness to globalization's true destructive nature, but it also provoked the greatest worldwide condemnation in the history of humanity. Despite the fallen statues, worldwide resistance and rebellion have been maintained and are growing. The zapatista rebellion is just one small part of the great demonstration of human dignity throughout the planet.

SECOND. - In our country, the Mexican political class (which includes all registered political parties and the three branches of the Union) betrayed the hope of millions of Mexicans, and of thousands of persons from other countries, of seeing the rights and culture of the Indian peoples of Mexico constitutionally recognized. A short time ago, Mexican politicians, completely distanced from reality, gave an excellent demonstration of their unlimited capacity for the ridiculous, by holding one of the most comical election campaigns in Mexican history. The high absenteeism in the July 6th elections was a popular reaction which they are still refusing to recognize.

THIRD. - In response to all of this, the EZLN has decided to completely suspend any contact with the Mexican federal government and the political parties, and the zapatista peoples have reaffirmed that resistance is their primary means of struggle. In both communiqués which were released by members of the CCRI-CG of the EZLN this January 1 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, we zapatistas reiterated our status as rebels. We also announced that, despite the stupidity and blindness of Mexican politicians, the so-called "San Andres Accords on Indigenous Rights and Culture" (signed by the federal government and the EZLN on February 16, 1996 and expressed in the so-called "Cocopa Law") will be put into practice in rebel territories.

FOURTH. - On that occasion, we zapatistas also reiterated our right to express solidarity with the just struggles of the people of Mexico and of the world. This was in response to those who demanded that we limit ourselves to the indigenous issue in Mexico. We expressed our support, at the world level, for Venezuelan sovereignty, for the people of Iraq and for all those struggles in resistance against the power of money. We expressed our support in Mexico for those primarily indigenous brothers and sisters who are resisting throughout the country.

FIFTH. - Over these last few months, the indigenous zapatista peoples and rebels organized in the EZLN have prepared a series of changes, which have to do with their internal functioning and their relationship with national and international civil society, and they are ready to make them public.

SIXTH. - In order to announce and explain these changes, 30 zapatista Autonomous Municipalities have asked the CCRI-CG of the EZLN to have Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos carry out, in addition to his work as spokesperson of the EZLN, the duties of spokesperson for the Autonomous Municipalities, although just temporarily. In accordance with this, today and in the coming days, both documents will be made public, signed by Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos in the name of the CCRI-CG of the EZLN and of the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities.

SEVENTH. - To those brothers and sisters, in Mexico and throughout the world, who have had relationships regarding projects or correspondence with the rebel zapatista Autonomous Municipalities, and to those, in Mexico and throughout the world, who have addressed the EZLN to request our word and/or participation in different international initiatives against the globalization of power, we are asking for your patience and understanding. Until such time as these changes are announced and have become operative, we shall not be able to give them the attention they deserve.

That is all...for now.

 

Democracy! Liberty! Justice!

By the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee - Comandancia General of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.
By the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities of Chiapas.

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos

Mexico, July of 2003.

from Centro de Medios Independientes - Chiapas, México
http://chiapas.indymedia.org

translated by irlandesa

----------------------------

Two communiques of 20 july 2003

not yet translated - brief and incomplete summary :

Communique one

1. The Zapatistas will not permit the Plan Puebla Panama to enter or operate in rebel territory. They have the means to stop it.

2. The EZLN denounces paramilitary attacks in Chiapas and warns the paramilitaries - you know the saying an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth - well we have a special offer - two eyes for an eye, and all your teeth for a tooth.

3. "Radio Insurgente. Voice of the EZLN" will shortly commence intergalactic transmissions on short wave. The Subcomandante will d-jay, but will not sing.

4. It would be a good idea for the Mexican and international civil society to keep themselves free on the dates 8,9,10 August. We don't know why (says the Subcomandante)

 

Communique two

 

The Mexican government is condemned for co-operating with the Spanish state in arresting and deporting Basques in Mexico, supposedly for having "terrorist" affiliations.

By the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee - Comandancia General of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.

By the Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities of Chiapas.

 

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos ----------------------------

 

b) Some recent events

 

ZAPATISTAS RESIST ELECTION DAY

The daily newspaper La Jornada reports that in the Zapatista autonomous municipalities of San AndrÈs Sakamch'en de los Pobres and San Pedro Polho in the highlands of Chiapas the villagers in the bases of support for the EZLN burnt ballot boxes and destroyed other material involved in the official elections on 6 july.

The incidents were most significant in the zapatista communities of Chenalho, such as Polho (Majomut), Acteal Alto, Tzanembolom, La Libertad and Takiukum. In San Andres too the ballot papers were burnt.

PEASANTS OF SAN SALVADOR ATENCO REAFFIRM THAT THEY ARE A TERRITORY IN REBELLION

Also on election day the the peasants of San Salvador Atenco, near Mexico City, reaffirmed that they consider themselves in rebellion against the government. This resistance, which mirrors the Zapatista autonomous municipalities in rebellion, follows their succesful direct action struggle to stop the building of a new Mexico City airport on their land.

APPEAL FOR SUPPORT BY THE COMMUNITY OF Lucio Cabañas (AKA Arroyo San Pablo), EVICTED FROM MONTES AZULES IN DECEMBER 2002

from indy chiapas 5 july 03
The five indigenous Chol families evicted from montes azules in Chiapas last December have decided to break off all dialogue with the governmentauthorities who have broken all their promises. The families wish to return to the jungle region at some date in the future to find a piece of land and live in peace.

Next group meeting

The next meeting is at 7pm on Sunday 6th July at ACE, 17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh (junction with Brunswick Road, which is off Leith Walk)

Meet at 6.30pm for people interested in going to Chiapas as volunteers.

All interested are welcome. Among the subjects to be discussed are a planned fund raising party, the money to go to projects in the Zapatista villages. Other things to be discussed include the proposed international day of action in solidarity with the Zapatistas and in opposition to the threatened evictions in Montes Azules, and a request by a BBC TV journalist to cover our activity.

 

Film showing at the Theatre workshop

Around 25 people attended the showing of !Zapatista! at Theatre Workshop on 26 June, and over 20 pounds was raised for the Kiptik water project from the sale of t shirts etc. Points raised in the discussion included ideas for widening the number of people who see such films by trying to get them shown at cinemas like the filmhouse and cameo and by putting them on the web.

 

Recent Kiptik meetings and reports on Kiptik activity

The meetings with speakers from the Kiptik water project in Edinburgh on 16 June and Glasgow on 17 June were a great success. Kiptik work in the Zapatista villages alongside the local indigenous people to create drinking water systems. The speakers described their work and gave an update on the current situation in Chiapas.

The communities in resistance are continuing their struggle to develop their self-managed autonomous way of life in the face of great pressures. The villages in Montes Azules are facing the threats of violent eviction. The government are using a tactic which may well be used elsewhere in the world in future - they are alleging that the indigenous people must be evicted from their homes to "save the jungle". This however is utter hypocrisy as the powers that be are encouraging commercial logging which is happening now in that very area, and are planning massive developments through the Plan Puebla Panama.

There were around 70-80 people at the Edinburgh meeting. The collection raised 63 pounds, all of which was donated to Kiptik, and 86 pounds worth of Kiptik merchandise was sold. In Glasgow 40 people attended a lunch-time meeting, with a collection of 37 pounds for Kiptik, plus 25 pounds worth of their merchandise sold. Glasgow people are going to start a Chiapas solidarity group.

We intend to deepen our contacts with Kiptik, and hopefully some of us will be able to go and work with them in Chiapas. They have left us some merchandise, and help in selling that would be very welcome.

Kiptik send out email updates on their work once every 2 or 3 months, it was agreed that their offer to add our email contacts to their list should be taken up.

check out their multilingual website at http://www.kiptik.buz.org

International Solidarity Action

The London Zapatista solidarity group are proposing an international day of action, to take place on the same day all over the world. The call would be - No evictions in Montes Azules - No to the Plan Puebla Panama - Yes to the implementation of the San Andres Accords - The Zapatista struggle is alive on all five continents.

They are asking for suggested good dates, eg an important anniversary, and to let them know of any unsuitable dates, also addresses of any solidarity groups and suggestions for future co-ordination.

We are going to suggest 12/13 october, as in Latin America it is the day of the human race, it is the date Columbus invaded the Americas. We need to do more research on possibilities for our action.

News from Chiapas

DECLARATION ON MONTES AZULES

Tuesday 17 of july To the general public,international or national, to the independent organisations and to the national and international press and to the comunities of Montes Azules.

The last 19 of dec.2002 under police pressure , the goverment evicted the first of the 42 comunities threatened. Six months later the affected families decided to return to the land, tired of lies and unfulfilled promises from the goverment about their situation.

Considering these facts we want to make the following statement:
1: It is clear that the govement of Fox and Pablo Salazar are telling lies about the relocation of the families .They only want their ejection from Montes Azules.
2:By doing this the goverment have shown that their only interest is to get rid of the campesinos , who are living on this precious land , specially valuable for the private companies..
3 Big proyects like Plan puebla panama ,the free trade area,the corredor biologico mesoamericano are used as the perfect strategy by big multinationals (like ford) and also by the world bank, who are really economically interested in the area in order to get into Montes Azules.
4:We demand to the state and federal goverments of chiapas and the republic to Respect the indiginas land. This must involve the recognition, and granting of land titles to the area. Until the goverment doesn't recognize the propiety as legitimate , it will not be entitled to evict any family from the area..
5 We demand an end to the threats made to the comunities by members of the chiapas goverment , police and profepa.
6 Lastly, we report to the general public the goverment strategy on montes azules, which has caused confrontations between the comunities. The goverment has deceived the comunities of nueva palestina and frontera corozal to use physical violence against these 42 comunities.
7 With the fulfilment of the San Andres agreements by the goverment, this and other similar conflicts will be avoided.

Sincerely......
(300 organisations.....)

========

TOURIST DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED IN MONTES AZULES
La Jornada daily newspaper reports on 4 June 2003
More tourist developments are being planned by private companies in Montes Azules, with the support of the Mexican government. Above all in the south and east of Montes Azules, including in the area where the indigenous villages of Nuevo San Rafael and Nuevo San Isidro are under strong threat of eviction.
The companies are urging the government to evict the indigenous villages.
much more in spanish at
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/014n1pol.php?origen=index.html&fly=1
=======================

and from nearby Oxaca.....

WEDNESDAY, 11 JUN.
Campesinos wiil blockade the road between Itsmo and the coast of Oxaca, unless an agremment is made to settle the dispute . Campesionos claimed to know the real reasons why that road must be built on the area before they (sct) carry on with the construccion. Members of the Transport Secretary has been working on the road for a couple of weeks without the consent of the locals. Campesinos from the affected area, are concerned that the road will only bring benefits to the hotels around and the loss of the land , which is really important for them. Unions of campesinos and indigenas completly opposed the road.