Cronicles from the National and International Observation/Solidarity Caravan to Zapatista Territory

Cronicles from Brigade 1 of the National and International Caravan in Observation and Solidarity with the Zapatista Communities in Chiapas

by the compa Lily de Regeneración Radio

translated by Chris de Regeneración Pomona

La Otra Campaña
As manifested during the European gathering in Athens, Greece in solidarity with the Zapatista communities and the Other Campaign in early May of this year, the International and National Caravan of Observation and Solidarity with the Zapatista communities of Chiapas arrived in San Cristobal de las Casas on July 29. Composed by nearly three hundred adherents to the Sixth Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle from Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, and the United States. They represented a diverse number of Zapatista collectives such as, Ya Basta, Movimiento en Solidaridad con los pueblos de Chiapas, Dignidad Rebelde, CGT, Colectivo Zapatista, Arte en Rebeldía Movimiento Atónomo etc. Adherents to the Other Campaign in Mexico from the states of Morelos, Michoacán, Puebla, and Distrito Federal -among others- [worked rigorously to coordinate the arrival and mobilization of the international caravan]. The caravanistas were divided into brigades and sent to 4 of the 5 Caracoles Zapatistas (La Garrucha, Oventik, Morelia and La Realidad) with the primary objective to show presence in the communities of greatest harassment so that our compas Zapatistas [would know que “¡No estan sol=s!]

Arrival to Caracol IV “Corazón del Arcoíris del la Esperanza” (Morelia)
La Otra Campaña
After a long day of traveling, one of the brigades of the National and International Caravan of Observation and Solidarity with the Zapatistas Communities, arrived at the Caracol of Morelia, where the Junta de Buen Gobierno (JBG) received them with a warm welcome. The JBG gave thanks for the sacrifices made by the people who came from other countries and other continents, while also expressing their contentment for the opportunity to share experiences so that, together, they can destroy the capitalist system. The JBG reaffirmed that despite the increased harassment and repression by the bad government, their voices would not be silenced amidst such terror. The welcoming ended with the presentation of the caravanistas to the JBG. Later the caravan was divided in three brigades who left to the following municipalities: 17 de Noviembre, Che Guevara and Vicente Guerrero.

Fifth Anniversary of the Caracoles Zapatistas (Morelia)
La Otra Campaña
On August 8 the JBG greeted and congratulated the Zapatista community members for the organizational path they have taken over the past five years that has lead to the formation of the caracoles and Juntas de Buen Gobierno. During this three-day celebration there was a series of tournaments such as, soccer with the participation of compañeros zaptistas and caravanistas plus basketball tournaments composed of separate teams of compañeras and compañeros Zapatistas. There was also a variety of cultural events that included comedy acts, spoken word, poetry, theatrical skits, and songs performed by the different communities and the caravanistas and of course live music. The next day the compas carried out the awards ceremony to acknowledge the tournament champions. They ended with a farwell and appreciation to all who were present during the festivities. The caravanistas took the oppurnity during the closing ceremony to deliver a message to the compas where they mentioned the objectives of the caravan and appreciation for their hospitality. Finally the ceremony ended with the honoring of the Mexican and EZLN flags.

Farewell to the Caravan in Caracol Morelia
La Otra Campaña
The Junta de Buen Gobierno from Caracol IV gave words of thanks to Caravan for their presence and strength of those who participated. In addition, they told the Caravan that they are not alone in their struggles no matter what country or state they are from. They sent a revolutionary greeting to all of those who could not come and they asked the Caravan to share the materials and experiences they will take back with all of those who couldn’t make it.