Thousands march in Mexico City to demand an end to attacks against Zapatista communities

Several thousand people marched this Thursday in the Mexico Cityin San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas) and some other places in the country to demand an end to the recent attacks carried out by paramilitary groups against the Zapatista communities in the southern state of Chiapas.

In addition to the cessation of violence in an area that is, according to the Zapatista movement itself, “on the brink of civil war”, the demonstrators in the Mexican capital demanded that the Army and the large multinationals withdraw from the territories of the indigenous peoples of the region.

LOOK HERE: Mexico: Military controls Chiapas municipality after clashes between criminals

“We define the situation as a civil war because of the way things are happening. Paramilitary groups, organized crime, the militarized National Guard and the large transnationals, which seek to keep the peoples away from wealth”, he lamented in an interview with EFE diego garciamember of the National Indigenous Council.

Thousands of people demonstrate during the “Stop the War against the Zapatista Peoples” march, on June 8, 2023, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by José Méndez / EFE) (José Méndez /)

Despite the fact that the violence suffered by these indigenous communities has been sustained since the lifting of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), in recent weeks the atmosphere has intensified.

Last Saturday, at least seven people were killed and three wounded in an orchestrated armed attack against members of the Zapatista communities in Chiapasat the time they were being forcibly displaced from their territories.

“They have wanted to intimidate our Zapatista compañeros, and that is why we are marching, to say stop the war“, summarized Anselma Margaritoa young woman belonging to the Otomi community residing in Mexico City.

The demonstrators, who marched from the Angel of Independence to the capital’s Zócalo -where the National Palaceresidence of the president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador– They also criticized the government’s inaction in the face of the recurring attacks against the Zapatistas.

MORE INFORMATION: Mexico: 50 migrants who were traveling by bus are kidnapped and ask for $1,500 for the freedom of each one

“The Government should not turn a deaf ear, omission is sometimes the worst. It’s time for the federal government to prevent bloodshed”, exhorted Dario Espinosabassist of the iconic Mexican group Panteon Rococowhose members are staunch defenders of the Zapatista movement.

Chiapas resists

In San Cristóbal de las Casasactivists, supporters of EZLN and human rights organizations demonstrated in the Plaza de la Resistencia to demand an end to the war.

On a sunny and rainy afternoon, the protesters who attended the meeting spoke out against the attacks carried out by the paramilitaries in different caracoles in the state of Chiapas, as well as demanded the release of political prisoners.

Thousands of people demonstrate during the “Stop the War against the Zapatista Peoples” march, on June 8, 2023, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by José Méndez / EFE) (José Méndez /)

The demonstrators put up banners and carried banners with legends that could be read: “Stop the war against the Zapatista peoples”; “if they touch one they touch all”; “June 8th global action, no to war”; “guarantee the health of compañero Jorge, care and the necessary time”.

Diana Itzu Moonorganization activist Fight Against Oblivion and Repressiontold EFE that paramilitary groups are intimidating the zapatista youth.

ALSO SEE: What is known about the extrajudicial execution of 5 civilians that was recorded on video in Mexico

“We know that the struggle is now civil and peaceful, it is a struggle for life, the EZLN is not proposing an armed struggle, but quite the opposite.said the woman

The march took place peacefully and ended with a small demonstration in front of the stage where hours later the pianist would have a concert. Arturo Aquino.

Source: Elcomercio