Zapatista Army of

National Liberation

Everything for

everyone, and nothing for

ourselves.

History of Conflict

• Mexican War of Independence – (1810-1821)

– Between people of Mexico and Spanish colonial authorities, starting when Mexican independence was proclaimed in 1810

– Began as an idealistic peasants' rebellion against colonial authorities, but ended as an unlikely alliance between Mexican ex-royalists and Mexican guerrilla insurgents.

• Mexican Revolution – (1910-1929)

– Began as a revolt against the then current president (after using blatant fraud to reelect himself), but turned into a multi-sided civil war as several groups struggled for control

History of Conflict

• The Zapatistas got their name from Emiliano Zapata, a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution

• "Zapatista" originally referred to a member of the revolutionary guerrilla movement founded around 1910 by Zapata

• His Liberation Army of the South fought for the redistribution of agricultural land

• Battle Cry: Tierra y Libertad!(Land and Liberty!)

Approach to Conflict

“We don’t want to impose our solutions by force, we want to create a democratic space.

We don’t see armed struggle in the classic sense of previous guerrilla wars, that is as the only way and the only all-powerful truth around which everything is organized.

In a war, the decisive thing is not the military confrontation but the politics at stake in the confrontation.

We didn’t go to war to kill or be killed. We went to war in order to be heard.”

-Subcomandante Marcos (spokesperson)

Approach to Conflict

• On January 1, 1994, the day when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect, the Zapatistas effectively declared war on the Mexican government and provided a set of Revolutionary Laws

• Also called for greater democratization in government and land reform

• Demanded autonomy of the Chiapas state (self-government of the people)

Approach to Conflict

• On the morning of January 1, 1994, an estimated 3,000 armed Zapatista insurgents seized towns and cities in Chiapas

• They freed prisoners and set fire to police and military buildings

• The Mexican military responded harshly the next day, killing many Zapatistas and forcing them to retreat into the jungle

• A ceasefire was agreed to but then broken by the Mexican government after a year in a surprise attack to reclaim Chiapas, again forcing the Zapatistas to retreat into the jungle

Approach to Conflict

• On January 10th, 1994, a 500,000 person demonstration for peace happened in Mexico City

• Next few months involved peace negotiations– Government deliberated proposals were rejected, but

there was no return to violent war

• February 1995 – government puts out arrest warrants for high-level Zapatistas without warning, causing them to retreat again, but this time holding their fire

• The Zapatistas manage to encourage national and international protest through journalists, the media and internet, which forces Mexican government to a new dialogue

Approach to Conflict

We hope that the people understand that the causes that have moved us to do this are just, and that the path that we have chosen is just one, not the only one.

Nor do we think that it is the best of all paths. We only think that this is one that needs to be taken and we invite all of the people to do the same, not to rise up in arms, but to struggle for a truly free and democratic government in Mexico that can fulfill the aspirations of each and every person.

We do not want a dictatorship of another kind, nor anything out of this world, not international Communism and all that. We want justice where there is now not even minimum subsistence. This is in the whole state of Chiapas.

And one can say: Well, soon I am going to rise up in arms. No, but do demonstrate your agreement, each person where you work, students, teachers, and all of that, make count what they have denied us until now, which is the right to have an opinion, to feel, to dissent. That is what we want.

We resorted to this because, well, because they did not leave us any other way, really.

- Subcomandante Marcos (spokesperson)

What Works

• Through an internet and media campaign they have garnered national and international support and entered into popular culture in the form of documentaries and through artists such as Rage Against The Machine, Leftover Crack, Anti-Flag, Dead Prez and Immortal Technique

• Rejecting violence helped to garner sympathy and receive greater support

• Autonomy

What Doesn’t Work

• Violent resistance against the established military resulted in heavy casualties and greater overall opposition in future conflicts

• The government didn’t hold up their end of several ceasefires, accords and other agreements

Mexican Coat of Arms (also on flag)

Modern Approach

From The Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle (released 2005):• The EZLN maintains its commitment to an offensive ceasefire, and it

will not make any attack against government forces or any offensive military movements.

• The EZLN still maintains its commitment to insisting on the path of political struggle through this peaceful initiative which we are now undertaking. The EZLN continues, therefore, in its resolve to not establish any kind of secret relations with either national political-military organizations or those from other countries.

• The EZLN reaffirms its commitment to defend, support and obey the Zapatista indigenous communities of which it is composed, and which are its supreme command, and - without interfering in their internal democratic processes - will, to the best of its abilities, contribute to the strengthening of their autonomy, good government and improvement in their living conditions. In other words, what we are going to do in Mexico and in the world, we are going to do without arms, with a civil and peaceful movement, and without neglecting nor ceasing to support our communities.

Modern Approach

• Evolution from militaristic occupation to building international support and community

• I say: skip the former, focus on the latter

My Approach

• I think the best approach is to have the means to communicate globally (internet, phone) instantaneously. This would allow any human rights abuses to be known worldwide (or to specific organizations and/or people) immediately, allowing a plethora of resources to be dedicated to stopping the abuses and providing systemic changes.

• This is difficult because it demands certain technologies. However, even consistent journalism can bring about much awareness.

• Making your intentions clear in statements and declarations can go a long way to avoiding some criticisms, etc.

• Avoid violence! Our oppressors will almost always be better at it than us, and obviously it is best not to sink to the same level.

Modern Conflict Background

Currently:• 70% of Mexico's 103 million population are on and

around the poverty line

• Half the 10 million Latin Americans who fell into poverty during the economic downturn are Mexicans

• 30,000 citizens have been slaughtered since President Felipe Calderón declared a war on the drug cartels in 2006

• The drug economy now employs up to a million mostly young people

• Electricity workers recently mounted a mass hunger strike (lasting 90 days) in Mexico City to protest the loss of their jobs to privatization

• The president recently sent troops and police to take a copper pit back from striking workers

News Article Analysis

• Sept. 12, 2010 – guardian.co.uk

• “Mexico’s modern revolutionaries”

• “As Mexico marks its 1810 and 1910 uprisings, 2010's upheaval is likely to be about drugs, not politics”

• “Today full-scale urban warfare rages on the streets of Juárez – over 1,800 citizens have been slain in the first eight months of the year in firefights between drug gangs and the Mexican military. Car bombs detonate on downtown streets and the mansions of the wealthy are looted and torched. Narco-commandos attack police stations and army barracks, carrying off artillery, and prisoners are broken out of jails much as they were by revolutionaries a century ago.”

News Article Analysis

• “Monterrey, Mexico's industrial powerhouse, is repeatedly shut down by the narco-insurgents, who block key thoroughfares with stolen trucks and construction equipment, reportedly so that their weapons will have free access to major transit routes. Top politicians like the frontrunner for governor of Tamaulipas state are assassinated. Others such as the presidential candidate Diego Fernández de Cevallos are kidnapped.

• The Mexican military and the US North Command – for which Mexico is the southern security perimeter – have long expected the narco-gangs and leftist revolutionary bands to coalesce. But revolutionaries in their armchairs complain that revolutions must have ideologies and display class allegiances: this narco-insurrection seems to be all about barbaric killing and taking power, not the liberation of the working class.

• Yet, given a globalised world in which the market seems to be all, a narco-insurgency may be the best revolution this lacerated nation is going to get.”

News Article Analysis

• By engaging the drug cartels, the Mexican government has in a way co-opted an insurrection

• This effectively dictates the publicized terms and sides of the conflict, as opposition to the government can be associated with the drug cartels and stronger tactics can be used, etc.

• Nonviolent resistance will garner severely less attention locally and internationally

News Article Analysis

• People looking to rebel against the government will likely be recruited by drug cartels –remember that the Mexican drug economy employs up to a million mostly young people

• Zapatistas will find it difficult to get attention since they consistently use nonviolent means and have for quite some time. Possibly some new event or action is needed, but what can be done that follows these guidelines and would distract from the violence?

• Also noteworthy is that the Zapatistas have a no drug or alcohol policy

‘Zapatista prohibits introducing alcoholic beverages, drugs and

other illicit articles’

What I Learned

• Understanding the Evolution of Revolution! Even if people are willing to fight for their freedom, violent action may result in harsh repercussions, especially when dealing with a military. Act towards mutual sustainability.

• Don’t trust the government! But seriously, getting to the negotiation table doesn’t mean that all agreements will be kept. Be prepared.

What I Learned

• Communication works! The Zapatistas sought to create international support and community through various media and internet campaigns and SUCCEEDED.

• Adaptation is key to sustainable revolution. The Zapatistas have maintained autonomy by recognizing the error of their violent ways and by using modern means to garner support and thus continue living life on their own terms.

Bibliography

• http://libcom.org/library/commune-chiapas-zapatista-mexico

• http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/zapatista.html•

• http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Sixth_Declaration_of_the_Lacandon_Jungle

•

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/sep/12/mexico-revolution-drugs-uprising

Zapata’s Blood – Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine Lyrics

Zapata's bloodWasn't spilt in vainSo now the most poor wage warTo reclaim their name

Zapata's blood

Wasn't spilt in vain

So now the most poor wage warTo reclaim their terrain

On January 1st , 1994The indigenous farmers of Southern MexicoDeclared war on an unjustand illegitimate government

Out of the debt of the most wild, the most poorCame a just arm strugglefor democracy, justice, and libertyAnd it won't stop until that 65 year old dictatorship, the Partido Revolucionario Institucional(Institutional Revolutionary Party) is buried in the groundand the people's voice is heard once again

Yeah

So check it out:On January 1st, of 94 they became known as the Zapatista movementAnd they have a saying, and I want you all to sing along with me real quick.It goes something like thisIt goes everything for everyone...and nothing for ourselves.Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves.Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves.Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves.Yeah, sing that shit...Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves.Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves.Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves.Everything for everyone, and nothing for ourselves...

Zapatista Army of

National Liberation

Everything for everyone,

and nothing for ourselves.