We would like you to join us in a global call to end paramilitary violence in Chiapas, which has intensified just as the Zapatista tour around
Europe is entering into its second phase, with 177 delegates starting to travel across the continent this week.
As some of you may already know, on September 11th, in the early morning, while the Zapatista airbone delegation was in Mexico City getting ready to leave for Europe, members of the paramilitary organization ORCAO serving the Chiapas state government kidnapped the compañeros Sebastián Nuñez Pérez and José Antonio Sánchez, autonomous authorities from the Good Government Council of Patria Nueva [New Homeland], Chiapas.
Sebastian and José Antonio were deprived of their liberty for eight days and then freed on September 19th. The only reason the conflict did not escalate into a tragedy was due to the intervention of the parishes of San Cristobal de las Casas, human rights organizations, and the mobilizations and denunciations carried out in Mexico and, above all, Europe.
Meanwhile, on September 15th, another compañero Zapatista was ambushed and killed in Chenalho, when he and his family were traveling back from San Andrés Larrainzar. The van was attacked by armed men of the paramilitary group that controls the Santa Marta region.
In light of these vile attacks, the EZLN has published a communiqué with a warning of Chiapas being on the verge of a civil war. They are also asking for the national and regional governments to control their groups and bring paramilitary violence to an end. You can read the whole statement here:
In solidarity with the Zapatistas, groups around the world will take part in a global action day, demanding president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Chiapas governor Rutilio Escandón to stop the attacks on the Zapatista communities and restore conditions for peace in Chiapas.
This gathering will give us the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the Zapatistas and all victims of violence in Mexico. We will express our support for those looking for truth and justice for more 350 000 people murdered and more than 90 000 people disappeared in the context of the wrongly called ‘war on drugs’. With the seventh anniversary since the disappearance of the 43 students of Ayotzinapa coming on September 26th, we invite you to bring messages of solidarity with the Zapatistas and with those looking for their loved ones across the country.
In London, we will gather outside the Mexican embassy (16 St Georges St) on Thursday 23rd at 5:30 pm.
Stop the attacks on Zapatista communities. The entire world is with the Zapatistas.
#ChiapasSinParamilitares
#ApoyoTotalEZLN
#ChiapaswithoutParamilitaryGroups
#TotalSupportToTheEZLN
#YourStruggleisOurStruggle