Free the Atenco prisoners!

May 2009

Twice within three days Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group took to the streets to demand freedom for the 12 political prisoners of Atenco, Mexico. The giant banner FREE THE ATENCO PRISONERS was carried in Edinburgh’s Mayday march on 2nd May, while on Monday 4th the banner plus an information stall were set up for three hours at the east end of Princes Street, the city’s main street.

Hundreds of leaflets were distributed on both occasions, and passers-by signed letters demanding the release of the Atenco prisoners, jailed for defending their community and land against the state.  On the Monday the giant banner attached to the Duke of Wellington’s statue drew much notice! Information and letters were also distributed about the current torture and imprisonment of the Other Campaign supporters from Agua Azul, Chiapas. 

 Down south, there was solidarity activity in Durham and Weymouth. On 5th May in Durham, activists distributed leaflets and gathered 60 letters calling for freedom for the Atenco prisoners, while the Dorset seaside town of Weymouth saw successful leafleting, and street discussions, on 3rd May.
 
 
Gathering in San Salvador Atenco, 3rd May
 
In Atenco itself hundreds of people rallied on 3rd May in defiance of a government order forbidding such gatherings , supposedly on the grounds of the swine flu epidemic.  Meanwhile in New York City on 4th May the Mexican Consulate was occupied by the
pro-zapatista group Movement for Justice in El Barrio. Authorities decided to close down the Consulate for the entire day.
 
There have also been recent Atenco solidarity activities in continental Europe in several locations, including Athens, Barcelona, and the Basque country, all in response to the call-out  for Atenco solidarity world-wide, in early May.
 
 The National and International Campaign for Liberty and Justice for Atenco state:
 
 On the 3rd and 4th of May of 2006, the government of Mexico savagely attacked the population of San Salvador Atenco in the state of Mexico. During this military and police attack, two youths were killed, 30 women were raped, and more than 200 people were detained.
 
The police began the attack when the people organized to stop the violent expulsion of flower vendors from a central square. There are still 12 political prisoners in jail with sentences of up to 112 years.
 
The community of Atenco has a great history of struggle for a just and dignified life. In 2002, they organized and put a halt to the government’s project to take away their land in order to build an airport.

 
More info

http://www.atencolibertadyjusticia.com (in spanish)

above, stall in Edinburgh, 4th May.

below, Mayday march, Edinburgh 2nd May

San Salvador Atenco - the machete is a symbol of the Atenco peasants' organisation, the Peoples Front for the Defence of the Land

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Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group,
c/o 17 West Montgomery Place
Edinburgh
EH7 5HA
Scotland

Email: edinchiapas@yahoo.co.uk

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The EdinChiapas group is part of the 'UK Zapatista Network': ukzapatistas.wordpress.com