Zapatistas announce a Red Alert

For only the third time in 11 years, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) in Mexico has issued a Red Alert.

It comes after the Mexican government massed thousands of troops in areas where the EZLN has supported the self-government of indigenous peoples.

The world was introduced to the struggle of the Zapatistas in January 1994. Since then they have been committed to defending the lives of the indigenous peoples of Mexico. For the past 12 years they have struggled against foreign governments as well as their own in an effort to provide land, liberty and dignity for those who have built Mexico.

“We suffer, we fight, we die, we resist,” Subcomandante Marcos, a leader of the EZLN, said of the struggle.

The EZLN itself is more than just an army. The Zapatista communities or Caracoles have become true community centers. These are places where indigenous families live and have access to health care, housing and education as well as exposure to the art, music, dance and dress that make up their culture.

Unfortunately, these communities have come under a new and more brutal attack from the Mexican government, which is working in conjunction with the United States to carry out operations similar to those of Plan Colombia.

Attacks on the Zapatista community and its supporters have always existed, but have escalated dramatically in recent years, along with the overall repressive climate experienced by activists across the country.

Climate of repression

This climate is exemplified by the assassination of human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa in October 2001, as well as the police murder of 19-year-old Pavel Gon zalez, a student at Mexico’s National Auto nomous University. His bruised and battered body was found on April 24, 2004, hanging from a tree. Professionals who inspected it wrote a report that he had endured both torture and rape for over eight hours.

Later that day a note was found inside the premises of the campus saying Pavel was killed as an example and that anyone who decided to continue their participation in activism would be next.

Sadly, just the name Pavel has become a threat used by the police against other youth, like the May 28 political prisoners. For four days in May 2004 the Summit for the Free Trade Agreement of the Carib bean, Latin America and the Euro pean Union (TLCUEM) was held in Guada la jara. Close to 8,000 people joined the demon stration. On the major day of action, police arrived in full riot gear, armed with batons, tear gas, shields and guns. Police moved in full force towards demonstrators, threatening them with batons and gas grenades.

Demonstrators scattered over the main streets, running away; 111 young people were arrested and imprisoned after a mass street sweep. This was done under state instructions to arrest any “young person” walking the streets that night. Eight months later, the provincial judge handed out four-year sentences to the five remaining prisoners. Their current bail totals $8,000 U.S.

Zapatista communities are not exclusive to the state of Chiapas. There are many all over Mexico and they too have come under attack. Agiabampo 2 in Son ora is a community like many others in Mexico, in that it struggles for recognition of its land titles, livable wages and decent housing. The community declared itself to be in solidarity with the Zapatista movement in a brave revolutionary effort to struggle against the government.

In response, the Mexican government came down hard on Agiabampo 2 one night last December, sending paramilitary troopers directly to the homes of movement leaders before dawn. Windows were shattered as women, men and children were forced from their beds and thrown out into the cold. They were forced to watch as community leaders were beaten, handcuffed and carried away by police.

Several months later the community was forced to publicly withdraw its statement of alliance with the EZLN for safety reasons. This new blow to the Zapatista struggle, while it comes as an unexpected shock to the world, is part of a series of attacks launched by a capitalist government which, like so many others, puts profit before people.

Civilians being evacuated

Still, the June 19 Red Alert from Chiapas that went out to the People of Mexico and the Peoples of the World causes feelings of great pain and sadness to many who have followed and supported this magnificent rebellion.

It announced the closure of the Cara coles or Zapatista communities of Oven tik, La Realidad, Morelia, La Gar rucha and Roberto Barrios, as well as all the headquarters of the authorities of the different Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities.

Members of the different Good Gov ernment Juntas and the autonomous autho rities are being evacuated to safe areas.

It is clear from the statements of the EZLN that the indigenous communities are seriously concerned for the safety of all civilians currently in Zapatista territory, especially those charged with maintaining the autonomous health system. Yet what is also clear is the genuine love and respect this movement has for the indigenous people.

In the Red Alert statement Subcoman dante Marcos assures that community health services will continue to function and makes clear that the EZLN is distancing itself from the civilians who will provide these services for their safety. He goes on to demand that “they be treated as civilians with respect for their life, liberty and goods by government forces.”

He lists all the services and actions that must be shut down and thanks supporters of the struggle, assuring the world that this is not farewell.

In a letter to the National and Interna tional Civil Society, Marcos speaks of doing “something else and we will make the results public at the proper time.” On behalf of the EZLN women and girls, the old and young, Mexicans and people from other countries, he thanks intellectuals, artists, scientists and workers for their support of this movement.

Marcos’ message also reflects the spirit of rebellion of Stonewall, commemorated in June. Speaking of lessons the EZLN has learned and taught, he says, “We thank the homosexuals, lesbians, transsexuals, trans gender persons, those who shared with us their struggle for respect for difference, knowing that it is not a defect to be hidden. Those who demonstrated that courage has nothing to do with testosterone and who, time and again, gave us some of the most beautiful lessons of dignity and nobility we have received.”

¡Que vivan los Zapatistas!

The writer is an organizer of FIST—Fight Imperialism, Stand Together—youth group.