Since late 1997, the Mexican government's strategy of low intensity warfare has created 19,000 Indian refugees. These are internally displaced refugees who were forced from their communities by paramilitaries that are often armed, trained and directed by the Mexican army and local PRI (ruling party) officials.

The infamous Acteal massacre on December 22, 1997, in which 46 Indians, mostly women and children, were murdered is but one example of a growing phenomenon. The survivors of Acteal were forced from their homes and live in squalid conditions, typical of the refugee camps, with no clean water, medical care, sanitation, employment or decent shelter.

The Mexican government provides no assistance to the refugees, who rely on international solidarity for their very existence. It costs over $5,000 per week just to provide basic foodstuffs. Planting season is at hand, and the refugees need seeds and tools so that they will have a harvest in the fall.

Why is the Mexican government anxious to create such a desperate situation? Because Indians throughout the state of Chiapas are rising up and demanding justice, democracy and respect for human rights. The Zaptista uprising in January of 1994 inspired thousands of Indians to organize themselves and present demands to the Mexican government. In 1996, the Zapatistas and the administration of President Zedillo signed the first of what was to be a series of peace accords.

After signing the accords, the Mexican government refused to implement them. Now Zedillo is trying to force the Zapatistas back to the negotiating table by pressuring civilians that support the Zapatistas. Five-year-old children and fifty-year-old grandmothers are the targets of the Mexican government's low intensity war. The Zapatistas say, "why should we return to negotiations when you won't implement the first set of accords that we both signed?" The vast majority of Indians in Chiapas support this position. They are sick and tired of broken promises from the federal government. And now they are paying the ultimate price.

The refugees are a "tool" in the government's war against the indigenous. You can make a difference. You can stand with the Indians of Chiapas in their time of crisis. You can help one family or one community resist the inhuman attacks of the Mexican government. Your tax-deductible donation of $25 will feed a family for a month and will give them seeds and ttools so that they don't have to depend on generosity after the fall harvest. A donation of $100 will cover the needs of four families for a month. And your donation of $500 will feed and supply a small community for a month.

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Please make your tax-deductible donation payable to the Mexico Solidarity Network, 1247 E St., SE, Washington, DC 20003-2221. For more information or to join the next delegation call 773-583-7728. We guarantee that 100% of your donation will go directly to the refugee communities.