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thanhkim · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 51 Location: U.S.

I just stumbled into this... wondering if anyone knows more about it. IT seems to be an effective nonviolent resistance that is actually democatizing Mexico. But that assessment was gleaned from skimming a few articles. No real research here.

Wondering if anyone knows about this or has the names of some articles or books I can read on it?

BillSamuel · Posted: Thu Mar 8, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject:

The Zapatistas are an armed force in Chiapas, Mexico. SIPAZ works on nonviolent approaches to the problems in Chiapas.
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Bill Samuel, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Co-Coordinator, Friends in Christ

CelticNorth · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 755 Location: East of Eden

The Mexican State of Chiapas has one of the highest poverty, illiteracy and infant mortality rates in Mexico. The Mexican government underfunds and politically marginalizes indiginous Indian tribes and groups, with the main resistance being against land seizures and intrusion into ancient tribal lands. The Zapatistas want land reform and political recognition. They are portrayed as extremists militants in the popular press, but given the corruption that pervades Mexican politics, they see armed restistance as the only "voice" available. Much like the historical plight of the American Indian, Mexico's huge indiginous Indian population, which it oppresses, is NOT Spanish speaking, and is therefore treated with racial and ethnic contempt. Mexico has racial tensions that go back centuries, to the time of the Spanish Conquest, which have not been resolved successfully. Viva Zapata!!