Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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CHIAPAS, MX - On the afternoon of January 30, three CPTers and two friends from the U.S. lit 100 white candles outside the gates of a prison where ten political prisoners are incarcerated. The five traveled to the prison, located about twenty minutes outside the city of San Cristobal de Las Casas, to pray for political prisoners in Chiapas and throughout the world. As they were beginning, five guards from the prison came out to find out what was happening. The CPTers were pleasantly surprised when the guards accepted an invitation from the CPTers to join the prayer circle. One of the guards proclaimed the gospel while another led a litany focused on the release of political prisoners and on peace in Chiapas.

The group of ten gave thanks for the recent release of a number of political prisoners by Pablo Salazar, the new governor of Chiapas, and prayed that Mexican President Vincente Fox would take similar steps soon in regard to federal prisoners. CPTers and the guards spoke out loud the names of people who have struggled for justice and suffered because of their commitment. Prayers were also raised for all those who are in jail for any reason and their families, for those enchained by conditions of poverty and oppression, and for a transformed society without violence. At the conclusion of the time of prayer the CPTers decided to leave the candles positioned on several rock outcroppings near the highway as a sign of hope and liberation.

January 30 has been declared the International Day of Nonviolent Action, commemorating the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Gandhi, who led the people of India in a non-violent struggle for justice, was incarcerated many times for his work and died at the hands of an assassin. The CPT vigil was held simultaneously with a Mexico City action sponsored by the Mexican peace group, SERPAJ (Servicio Paz y Justicia) and students of the UNAM (the National Autonomous University of Mexico.) The Mexico City event advocated the release of political prisoners as a necessary step in the progress toward peace in Chiapas.

CPTers participating in the San Cristobal vigil were Claire Evans (Chicago, IL), Scott Kerr (Downers Grove, IL), and William Payne (Toronto, ON).