Mexican politics - people not sitting around twiddling thumbs

[donsu]

http://www.counterpunch.com/ryan01072006.html


On the Road with the Zapatistas
The Sub Motorcycle Diaries

Like a cross between Mad Max and Zorro, Subcomandante Marcos zoomed out of the remote Zapatista stronghold of La Garrucha on a black motorbike with EZLN blazed across its handlebars and his cock hanging off the back. As the gathered scrum of media scrambled to capture this dramatic exit and beginning of the new Zapatista political initiative, all they were left with was a cloud of dust and the fading squawk of the unfortunate chicken - the campaign mascot called "Penguin" for its lopsided appearance - riding pillion.

-snip-

Under the moniker Delegate Zero, Marcos launches a six month tour of all Mexico, unarmed and apparently alone, not to speak or run for office but ¨to listen to the simple and humble people who struggle." This new political initiative, called the Other Campaign, is intended to influence Mexico's July presidential election. The Zapatistas will reach out to anti-capitalist and leftist organizations across the country, creating a nation wide movement that will turn the national political agenda "upside down".

-snip-

"I have been chosen to go out across the country to test the road and to see what dangers lie there within, and to recognize who by their face and word is down with the struggle. So that we can unite the Zapatista struggle with the struggle of the farmers and the workers of the country called Mexico."

-snip-

The out-going ruling party PAN has also welcomed the new Zapatista initiative, but elements within the right wing, neo-liberal party, such as Congress leader Hector Larios, dismiss the campaign as "surreal and clown-like". The center-left PRD -- favourites in the poll to win the upcoming elections -- are adopting a conciliatory tone despite much of Marcos stringent criticisms directed at the neo-liberal drift of the party.
-snip-
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Fr Miguel Concha Fray Francisco de Vitoria Human Rights Centre had this to say:

Speaking from the floor, Fr Miguel Concha Fray Francisco de Vitoria Human Rights Centre, explained how this new campaign was not a stunt to influence July elections, nor a parody of the official election campaigns but a renewal of nationwide grassroots political organizing.
"Its not an anti-campaign. This is another campaign that goes beyond the electoral consensus : its something focused on the medium or long term."

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wishing them good luck

and I'm jealous. wishing we had a Zapatista on a motor bike; with or without a rooster.

[melody]

1. We're not from that culture

We express ourselves in our own way. I don't see any thumb-twiddling at all. Nearly all my friends are marching, emailing, protesting, calling. The only more "active" thing we could do is violent insurrection and no one wants to see that.

>wishing we had a Zapatista on a motor bike; with or without a rooster.

We have our own versions of Zapatistas, but they're non-violent and work within the system.

[donsu]

2. yes, but the ones working within the system are working in the

bushmilhousegang's system.

our people putting protest signs on highway bridges is not in the system, for example.

we need all the help we can get.

but a covey of motorcycle riders going around being truth tellers, would be great.