Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

        Today, the 1st of January of 2001, the Zapatista movement in the U.S. begins its seventh year of struggle. We would like to thank all of the groups and individuals who have shared or supported our efforts, and invite you to continue with us in the creation of the better world we are looking for not only in Chiapas, but in the whole world.

        We would like to recognize publicly that the National Commission for Democracy in Mexico does not represent all of the Zapatista support groups in the U.S. Many groups have decided to work independently of us, and others, who have also contributed a great deal, do not call themselves "Zapatista" groups at all, but work under the banners of human rights, indigenous rights, or as organizations in solidarity with all of Mexico. In any case, the National Commission continues, since 1994, to comprise a network of pro-Zapatista groups extending from one coast of the U.S. to the other.

        We extend a hand to the fighters and dreamers of all of the other countries where human dignity, and the united strength that will one day change the world, is being built, day by day, and often at incredible cost. We are inspired by the messages we receive telling of your struggles and battles; they let us know that we are part of something worldwide, global, which is nothing less that the struggle for humanization.

        It saddens us to know that our own government is one of the prinicipal obstacles to be overcome. We hope that you who live in other countries can distinguish between the government of the U.S., and the people, who can no longer control their government. Here in the U.S., as in other countries, the governmental processes have been sold. Only with the rebirth of a true democracy, where we all have a voice and a vote, can there be the possiblity of ending the reign of capital, and installing a social system based on human, not economic, values. That is our challenge, and today we rededicate ourselves to the struggle.

        We send a special salute to the Zapatista Army of National Liberation who, seven years ago today, lit in our hearts the star of hope, and to the men, women, elders, and children of the communities who support them, and who have endured with such courage and firmness these years of low intensity war.

        We salute as well all of the others who struggle, on all of the continents, for a new world based on human dignity. We are with you all!

For the National Commission,

Mario Galva'n