An Irish reaction to the Zapatista communiques

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Thursday June 30, 2005 14:07 by Marcos Connolly - IMG reborn?

In response to events in Chiapas, Mexico discussions are underway in Dublin to relaunch a solidarity group. This is the text of a leaflet to be distributed at the MPH rally tonight.

Red Alert Red Alert Red Alert Red Alert Red Alert

ZAPATISTA ARMY ANNOUNCES CONSULTATION ON FRESH INITIATIVES AGAINST GLOBAL CAPITALISM!

NEW STEPS IN THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMANITY AND AGAINST NEOLIBERALISM...

WATCH THIS SPACE!

On June 19th a communique from the General Command of the EZLN announced a state of Red Alert in the rebel territories, so that a process of consultation could take place. All civilian services in the Autonomous Municipalities and Good Government Juntas were suspended, with only basic health services remaining in place. All Zapatista troops (several thousand of them) were called up, including those who had been working in the communities. Rebel democracy would continue in a clandestine manner.

This is in keeping with the EZLN’s concept of participative, grassroots democracy, where all major decisions on direction and strategy must be ratified through consultation with all members of the organization - women, men and children:

“The Revolutionary Committee of the EZLN is presenting its members with an assessment of the stage our organization is in and an analysis of the current national situation. They are also proposing to their support bases, who make up the supreme command of our movement, a new step in the struggle, a step which entails, among other things, risking the much or little which has been achieved and worsening the persecution and harassment of the Zapatista communities.”

(EZLN Communique, June 21st.)

Discussions on the re-formation of a support group for the Zapatistas in Ireland are currently being held in Dublin as we wait for the process of consultation to conclude and for the new strategy to be confirmed.

If you’re interested in learning more, leave a message here or phone 01 6760435 for details of further meetings.