OVENTIK -- December 30, 2006. You could hear the call of the conch shells. The inauguration day had begun, with the morning light and cold breeze. On the main street, there were a multitude of people looking at artesania from the various womenś collectives and local promoters, while others ate at the many "comedores" or food stands. At the same time, trucks full of participants from all over Chiapas and the world, whom would hten form long lines to register with the Zapatista Commission. Once registered, the participantes headed down the hill accompanied by a copma in search of a place to stay, among the multitudes of tarps and tents that had been set up over the past few days.
At noon Zapatista time, a call was made for everyone to gather at the basketball court, where they had erected a huge stage, to begin the ceremony. Representatives of each caracol files onto the stage, wearing traditional clothes and carrying banners from their regions, their faces covered, while others stood under the hot sun or enjoyed the shade under their tarps. The ceremony began once everyone was in place, with the singing of the National Anthem of Mexico followed by the Zapatista hymn, which made more than one of us interglactic@s a bit emotional.
Two representatives from the Good Government Junta of Oventik welcomed us all, expressing their great emotion and happiness to host so many compañeros of the world. All the countries present were recognized, including 18 countries of the Americas, 16 from Europe, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, and others. This was followed by 2 CCRI (Revolutionary Clandestine Indigenous Committee) who also extended their welcome, and explained the goals of the encuentro. Later Comandante Moises came out with much charisma to give thanks and to announce the 2nd part of the encuentro which will take place in July 2007. At the end of the 2 hour inauguration a compañero let the cheers - Viva Chiapas!
After a 2 hour break for lunch, the inaugural workshop began: Autonomy and an Other Government. This was moderated by Comandante Brusli (Bruce Lee?), and took place in the auditorium of Oventik which was packed with locals, nationals, and internationals. Brusli shared his definition of autonomy, and gave a brief outline of how the workshop would work. One by one, representatives from each caracol shared how they practice autonomy in their region - La Realidad, Oventik, La Garrucha, Morelia, and Roberto Barrios. There were a variety of points that were presented, challenges as well as achievements.
The compañer@s talked abou the forms of "Leading by Obeying" - the importance of consulting the people and doing as they wish, noting the differences between the bad governments and the Zapatista good governments. They explained in great detail how the communities elect their representatives, their rotations and terms, and how they do not receive one penny for their work. Another topic that arised was that of law and justice and how they are practiced within the Zapatista government. They explained that it is very important to listen to both sides when a crime happens in order to reach a just agreement. They also expressed that they don't believe in incarceration, instead they believe in rehabilitation.
Varios representatives touched on the topic of appropriated technology, and forms of alternatives means of communication to inform the public of their struggles and of the truth. Other forms of autonomy and self-determination that were discussed included health, education, production, and the role of women. Overall it was recognized that there are many aspects of autonomy which are complicated, and which is not something simply found in the dictionary, but rather it's how you live your daily life at home, in your community, and in your society.
Furthermore the compas touched on the topics of capitalism and globalization and their struggle as Zapatistas against these powers, and how they are creating "Another World." As compañero Beto from Morelia said, "Although we can't change the world, we will struggle so that the world doesn't change us."
Afterwards, the participants were given the opportunity to ask questions to the Good Governments and to present their own struggles of creating autonomy in their own communities. Among those who spoke were representatives from APPO, family members of political prisoners, other indigenous groups, folks from Central America, and others.
As we write this summary, there is a cultural event taking place by and for all the particpants of the encuentro.
In solidarity,
Estacion Libre
Chiapas Support Committee
Autonomous People's Collective
ChicagOtra
CASA
Student Farmworker Alliance/Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Ministerio of Confusion (MOC)
Regeneracion: Childcare NYC
OTHER reports:
01 - Informational Bulletin on the Encounter between the Zapatistas and the Peoples of the World at http://www.zeztainternazional.org
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