March
13-21, 2004
Delegation to Chiapas, Mexico
Sponsored by Mexico Solidarity Network and Chiapas Peace House
Project
Information: 773-834-4216 Chiapas Peace House
773-583-7728 Mexico Solidarity Network
[email protected]
The
Mexico Solidarity Network and the Chiapas Peace House Project
invite you to join a delegation to Chiapas from March 13-21,
2004. The delegation will arrive during a time of celebration,
but also a time full of difficult challenges. On January 1,
the Zapatista movement celebrated ten years of resistance to
corporate-centered globalization, and the movement continues
to grow. The establishment of regional autonomous governments
- Juntas de Buen Gobierno - last Summer marked an important
new phase in the development of Zapatismo. At the same time,
paramilitary groups, the army and government agencies wage "low
intensity warfare" that threatens the Zapatista movement
at every turn. The need for international presence to document
their activities is more pressing than ever.
The
delegation will:
-- Provide an international presence in communities that are
under threat by paramilitary groups, putting the paramilitaries
on notice that the communities can count on international support.
-- Meet with activists and organizers to discuss 10 years of
resistance to neoliberalism in Chiapas and around the world.
-- Develop strategies to deepen solidarity work in the United
States, and organizing against the Free Trade Area of the Americas,
the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and Plan Pueblo
Panama, a corporate development scheme promoted by the Fox administration.
Delegates
will meet with sister organizations in Chiapas to discuss medium
and long term strategies for international solidarity work.
Scholarships
are available, with strong preference for youth of color under
the age of 30. You can apply for a scholarship on-line by completing
both the scholarship and
delegation application.
Schedule:
March 13: Travel to San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
Evening orientation and reflection.
March 14: Meetings with members of human rights organizations,
environmental groups, economic and political analysts. Background
orientation on the current situation in Chiapas.
March 15-19: Travel to threatened autonomous Zapatista communities.
March 20: Further meetings with members of human rights organizations.
Debriefing/reflection.
March 21: Depart for home.
The
cost of the delegation is $450, covering ground transportation
within Chiapas, meals in the communities, hotels, translation,
background materials, and program. Delegates are responsible
for their own travel arrangements to Chiapas. Most delegates
will fly to Mexico City, then either catch a public bus (about
$160 round trip to San Cristobal) or a connecting flight to
Tuxtla Gutierrez (about $275 round trip). Those who fly to Tuxtla
will be provided ground transportation to San Cristobal. It
is also possible to fly into Cancun and take a public bus to
San Cristobal (about 17 hours and $100 RT), which could potentially
be less expensive given spring break discounts.
To
reserve a space on the delegation, please complete the application
and return it with a $100 deposit to Mexico Solidarity Network,
4834 N. Springfield, Chicago, IL 60625.
For
more information contact the Mexico Solidarity Network at [email protected]
or the Chiapas Peace House at [email protected].
