Zapatista History: Difference between revisions
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Presently, the Zapatistas are offering more nonviolent resistance. They reject parliamentary elections at the national level because they see such elections as not involving participation by the people in a meaningful way and therefore, as not truly democratic. (See [[Anarchism]].) The Zapatistas have organized a network of grass-roots based democratic village councils in their autonomous region, and have set up schools, courts, and clinics. The most recent large demonstration was a [[2001]] march to [[Mexico City]] with only very scattered episodes of violence. Since the late 1990's, the movement has been involved in an introspective series of Councils of Good Government within their realm of influence. While the rebellion may appear to be in somewhat of a standstill, the people are still very active in their attempts to acquire autonomy. The government remains reluctant to address the rebellion because doing so might lend an impression of political instablity. In [[2005]], the [[EZLN]] held a summit, the result of which was the [[Sixth Declaration from the Lacondon Jungle]]. This document reflects many [[Marxist]] ideas. |
Presently, the Zapatistas are offering more nonviolent resistance. They reject parliamentary elections at the national level because they see such elections as not involving participation by the people in a meaningful way and therefore, as not truly democratic. (See [[Anarchism]].) The Zapatistas have organized a network of grass-roots based democratic village councils in their autonomous region, and have set up schools, courts, and clinics. The most recent large demonstration was a [[2001]] march to [[Mexico City]] with only very scattered episodes of violence. Since the late 1990's, the movement has been involved in an introspective series of Councils of Good Government within their realm of influence. While the rebellion may appear to be in somewhat of a standstill, the people are still very active in their attempts to acquire autonomy. The government remains reluctant to address the rebellion because doing so might lend an impression of political instablity. In [[2005]], the [[EZLN]] held a summit, the result of which was the [[Sixth Declaration from the Lacondon Jungle]]. This document reflects many [[Marxist]] ideas. |
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As part of the campaign promises of [[Vicente Fox]] during the [[Mexican general election, 2000|2000 Mexican Presidential election]], he claimed he would solve the [[EZLN]] guerrilla problem in "fifteen minutes" . His promise failed to be realized, however, when, after being elected, he simply turned over the constitutional changes demanded by the Zapatistas to [[Congress of Mexico|Congress]] to deal with. |
As part of the campaign promises of [[Vicente Fox]] during the [[Mexican general election, 2000|2000 Mexican Presidential election]], he claimed he would solve the [[EZLN]] guerrilla problem in "fifteen minutes" . His promise failed to be realized, however, when, after being elected, he simply turned over the constitutional changes demanded by the Zapatistas to [[Congress of Mexico|Congress]] to deal with. |
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On new years day 2006 the Zapatista movement came out of the jungles, and safety, of Southern Mexico in order to influence the Mexican Presidential Elections. Subcommander Marcos in order to become more appealing for the 2006 Presidential Elections has changed his name to "Delegate Zero." The official response by the government is a one that welcomes all parties to the Mexican political arena, and hails the Zapatista recent movement as a model for this. |
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==For more Information:== |
==For more Information:== |
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Revision as of 23:12, 14 February 2006
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The term Zapatista refers to several differing, but related, aspects of the history of Mexico.
Mexican Revolution of 1910
Zapatista originally referred to a member of the revolutionary guerrilla movement founded around 1910 by Emiliano Zapata, whose Liberation Army of the South (Ejército Libertador del Sur) fought during the Mexican Revolution for the redistribution of agricultural land. Zapata, his army and allies, including Pancho Villa fought for agrarian reform in Mexico, specifically the establishment of communal land rights for Mexico's indigenous population.
Modern Zapatistas
Zapatista gained a new meaning in 1994 with the public debut of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional, or EZLN). The new term can be used for any member of this movement or as an adjective for the movement itself.
The modern Zapatista movement did note the spectre of Revolution hero Zapata as a rallying point for its cause, which in truth is very similar to that of a century ago. The main goals of sweeping agrarian and social reform, as well as a Southern Mexico separatist movement, are recurring themes from early 20th century Zapata rhetoric. Whereas the first Zapatistas were lead by Zapata himself, while the EZLN is democratically organized, the most dominant figure and spokesperson of the modern movement is Subcommander Marcos. Other prominent figures include Subcommander Elisa, and Comandante Ramona who was of Tzotzil origin.
Like its predecessor, the movement started in southern Mexico, this time in the state of Chiapas. It remains most popular with the poor indigenous peoples of that area. It appeared shortly after (and in response to) the signing of NAFTA - the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Zapatista movement is seen by some in the anti-corporate globalization movement as a model for resistance and for local democratic organization. Soon after its inception, the EZLN held an international conference in Chiapas called the Intercontinental Encounter for Humanity and against Neoliberalism. It resulted in various other Zapatista groups emerging outside of Mexico, including the West Essex Zapatistas in East London.
Unlike its predecessor, the new Zapatista rebellion is a smaller and more peaceful uprising that has had few serious encounters with the government. A brief spurt of violence accompanied its inception when several thousand peasants seized five Chiapan towns. Hundreds of lives were lost when the military was sent to pacify the rebels. Another spate of violence occurred when forty alleged Zapatista sympathizers were killed during the Acteal massacre in 1997.
Presently, the Zapatistas are offering more nonviolent resistance. They reject parliamentary elections at the national level because they see such elections as not involving participation by the people in a meaningful way and therefore, as not truly democratic. (See Anarchism.) The Zapatistas have organized a network of grass-roots based democratic village councils in their autonomous region, and have set up schools, courts, and clinics. The most recent large demonstration was a 2001 march to Mexico City with only very scattered episodes of violence. Since the late 1990's, the movement has been involved in an introspective series of Councils of Good Government within their realm of influence. While the rebellion may appear to be in somewhat of a standstill, the people are still very active in their attempts to acquire autonomy. The government remains reluctant to address the rebellion because doing so might lend an impression of political instablity. In 2005, the EZLN held a summit, the result of which was the Sixth Declaration from the Lacondon Jungle. This document reflects many Marxist ideas.
As part of the campaign promises of Vicente Fox during the 2000 Mexican Presidential election, he claimed he would solve the EZLN guerrilla problem in "fifteen minutes" . His promise failed to be realized, however, when, after being elected, he simply turned over the constitutional changes demanded by the Zapatistas to Congress to deal with.
On new years day 2006 the Zapatista movement came out of the jungles, and safety, of Southern Mexico in order to influence the Mexican Presidential Elections. Subcommander Marcos in order to become more appealing for the 2006 Presidential Elections has changed his name to "Delegate Zero." The official response by the government is a one that welcomes all parties to the Mexican political arena, and hails the Zapatista recent movement as a model for this.
For more Information:
- Zapatista Army of National Liberation
- Chiapas
- Acteal Massacre
- Template:Es icon The official Zapatista website
- Zapatista Blog
- Radio Insurgente
- Communiques
- Chiapas Indymedia
International Groups
Building Bridges - Vancouver, Chiapas Human Rights Observer Project
Philadelphia Zapatista Solidarity Network
IFCO/Pastors for Peace Chiapas Organizing Index
Global Exchange (Mexico Program)
Community Action on Latin America
Chiapas Coalition 98 (Los Angeles)
Template:Es icon Colectivo de Solidaridad con la Rebeli Zapatista de Barcelona
Direkte Solidarit Chiapas Zurich