By: Jessica Xantomila

Members of the original peoples of Querétaro, Puebla and the state of Mexico, members of the National Indigenous Congress (CNI), Installed a political-cultural sit-in in front of the National Palace, for about 12 hours, to demand an end to the attacks against the communities of the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) in Chiapas.

The day of struggle took place within the framework of the Global Action called “From the horror of war to resistance for life,” which was also held in other states, including Baja California, Morelos, Chiapas, Guanajuato and Morelia, and in countries such as Germany, where supporters delivered a letter to the Mexican consulate in Frankfurt.

In front of the National Palace they set up tents in which representatives of indigenous peoples sold handicrafts and held painting and screen printing workshops, as well as the presentation of various musicians.

On the fences that protect the historic site, protesters placed sign and banners with messages “Against all wars ‘art, resistance and rebellion'”, while the slogan Stop the war was written on the pavement.

They condemned the fact that the federal and state governments are minimizing violence against the Zapatista communities.

They emphasized that while the authorities look to nothing, the paramilitaries continue to grow, such as the Regional Organization of Ocosingo Coffee Growers (ORCAO), which besieges our sisters and brothers of the EZLN.

They pointed out that the attacks have left serious injuries like that of Jorge López Sántiz, a support base of the EZLN, whose life was in danger.

Among the participants was Alejandro Torres Chocolatl, indigenous communicator and member of the People’s Front in Defense of Land and Water of Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala, who on June 30 was held for about four hours by alleged ministerial agents of the Puebla prosecutor’s office, accused of closing communication routes and obstructing works in 2019.

Isabel Valencia, from the Otomi indigenous community of Santiago Mexquititlán, Querétaro, said that the peoples suffer the dispossession of water and territory by transnational companies that seem to be the ones who have the reason and the rights.

Originally Published in Spanish by La Jornada, Sunday, July 16, 2023, https://www.jornada.com.mx/2023/07/16/politica/006n1pol and Re-Published with English interpretation by the Chiapas Support Committee