Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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CHIAPAS, MEXICO - A delegation sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) welcomed the 24 commanders of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) and thousands of other Zapatista representatives in San Cristobal de Las Casas on the night of February 24. The delegation joined a crowd of more than 10,000 Mexican and international observers in solidarity with the Zapatistas, who were beginning their peaceful and unarmed march scheduled to arrive in Mexico City March 11.

During the course of the seven-hour rally in one of San Cristobal's principle plazas the purpose of the march was made clear. We heard speeches that outlined the agenda of the Zapatista action and their objectives. This is a march for the rights of Mexico's marginalized indigenous population. The EZLN is calling for a halt to government oppression and the implementation of three central conditions: the immediate release of all Zapatista political prisoners, the removal of seven military bases in the jungle and highland regions of Chiapas, and the fulfillment of the San Andres accords, which were signed by government representatives in 1996.

The arrival of the commanders and representatives of the EZLN was a much-anticipated event in San Cristobal, with a large buildup of media and observers from the international community. The march has been viewed by many to be not only representative of the struggle for indigenous peoples' rights in Mexico, but for human rights worldwide. The Zapatistas have repeatedly invited the cooperation of a spectrum of human rights organizations and other progressive forces from both Mexico and the rest of the world. Included in the Zapatista caravan will be more than 600 foreign observers whose presence is intended to secure the safety of the march as well as offer solidarity with the EZLN's cause and forge unions between the many activist groups present.

At approximately 9:45 p.m. thousands of EZLN representatives began to arrive in the plaza, all representing their communities with banners and political messages. With their fists held high they chanted "the people united will never be defeated" and "long live Zapata, the struggle continues." The crowd surged around them answering their chants and cheering. Thousands of camera shutters clicked and video and television cameras followed their movements. Men and women of all ages, their faces covered with ski masks and bandanas, filled the streets surrounding the plaza. Finally, at 10:30 p.m., the twenty-four EZLN commanders arrived in a vehicle close to the stage and entered the crowd.

The following hour was filled with speeches from commanders that were very well received by the crowd. The final speech was given by Subcommander Marcos, the perceived leader of the EZLN. His poetic and deeply symbolic language encapsulated the struggle of the Zapatistas and their role as representatives of Mexico's marginalized indigenous people. Theirs is the struggle for "those who are the color of the earth," Marcos said. "Ours is the march of indigenous dignity." Observing the symbolism of the date, which is Mexico's "Flag Day," Marcos called for all of Mexico's people to be included under this flag. He stressed the tenets of their action as justice, liberty, democracy, and representation. "With us go the steps of all Indigenous peoples and the steps of all the men, women, children and the old ones in the world who know that the colors of the earth have a place in the world."

[Besides Poirier, of Berkeley, CA, other members of CPT's February 19-March 3 delegation are: Matthew Bailey-Dick (Waterloo, ON), Urbane Byler (Slatington, PA), Rusty Dinkins-Curling, Jan Eller and Patrick Fiegenbaum, (all of Portland, OR), Kathy Harder (Pawnee Rock, KS), Wendy Leitner Sieber (Philadelphia, PA), and Patty McKenna (Manhattan, KS).]