Jordan: Zapatistas Inaugurate Two Peace Camps
March 14, 2007
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Dear Colleague,
Last September, Narco News reported the arrest of indigenous farmers in the Mexican village of Huitepec for a trumped up
"environmental crime" of... planting radishes.
Yesterday, the Zapatista rebel movement took back Huitepec Hill and set up two peace camps there in the highlands of
Chiapas, near San Cristóbal de Las Casas.
Laura K. Jordan reports from the march, which began at a local Coca-Cola bottling plant:
Jordan reports:
"The plant, owned and operated by Coca-Cola FEMSA-the American soft drink company's Mexican bottler-was not likely a
coincidental choice for a gathering point. The plant's intense water extraction practices at the foot of Huitepec
Hill-home to one of the region's major aquifers-has provoked the anger and criticism of many, including the Zapatistas.
"...Although the atmosphere in which the inauguration took place was peaceful and calm, before closing the Junta
cautioned everyone to continue to pay close attention to the situation in the days that come. 'The government now knows
what we're doing [with the Camps], but who knows what they are thinking-because bad governments like to abuse [the
people],' said the representative. 'We must pay attention wherever we are.'"
Also on Narco News: a new translation of the Zapatista Good Government Council’s rules and regulations for participating
in the peace encampment:
From somewhere in a country called América,
David B. Briones
Webmaster
The Narco News Bulletin