(en) Mexico: Thousands of Zapatistas arrive in Ocosingo and San Cristobal de las Casas (ca)

In a mass action, disciplined and simultaneously, not seen since the days of the insurgent 
uprising of 1994, tens of thousands of Zapatistas peacefully occupied and five cities in 
Chiapas thunderous silence. Hours later, released a brief statement. ---- Tens of 
thousands of support bases of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) occupied 
the streets in silence emblematic of five municipalities in Chiapas, in the first public 
demonstration that the Zapatistas made from the May 7, 2011, when they joined the call 
Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity. This simultaneous action and massive, the 
largest in its history, was preceded by the announcement that the word dar?asu indigenous 
organization, which became known a few hours after mobilization.

"To whom it may concern. Did you hear? It's the sound of her world collapsing. Is ours a 
comeback. The day was the day it was night. And night will be the day that is the day "was 
the message signed by Subcomandante Marcos and disseminated hours later through Enlace 
Zapatista page.

In each of the occupied cities (Ocosingo, Las Margaritas, Palenque and San Cristobal 
Altamirano), the Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Ch'ol, Tojolabal, Zoque, Mam and mestizos marched with 
traditional bandanas and balaclavas, in rows and in strict silence. Men and women, mostly 
young, went on a temple in each city and raised their fists. That was the symbolic 
expression of any mobilization.

Strength, discipline, special order, dignity, integrity, cohesion. It is not. They are 19 
years in which many times have given the dead, divided and isolated. Again and again come 
forward to say "here we are". Today, with 40 thousand Zapatistas on the streets again 
silenced rumors and lies pit.

In San Cristobal de las Casas, a city where demonstrations are traditionally EZLN outside 
its territory, more than 20,000 men and women from the snail Zapatistas Oventik where 
concentrated from the day before, marched under a rain that started from dawn. The march 
of 28 detachments (numbering arrangements for carrying on their balaclavas groups) began 
on the outskirts of the city, at around half past eight, and 12 o'clock the rear was very 
far from the center yet. The square was too small for them.

Inhabitants and tourists shouts of support and the Zapatista hymn sang in some sections. 
Business as usual, dropped the curtains, because the Indians were surprised again. The 
temple was located in front of the cathedral, while the Zapatistas sorted blocks were 
placed around the first frame of the city.

In Palenque, ch'ol ancient city and one of the most important tourist centers of the 
state, the indigenous Zapatistas entered through the main street of the town and made the 
gesture of the raised fist on the bandstand placed in the center of the city, opposite of 
the church. Later, they went down the street Chiapas to return to their communities.

In Las Margaritas, the Zapatistas repeated dynamics with 7000 base areas, while in 
Ocosingo-population also taken by the insurgents on January 1, 1994, the site of the 
slaughter of civilians by the federal army in the early days of the war, more than 6000 
bases of support developed the action from six in the morning, it emerged that around 8000 
Zapatista more left in the Caracol of La Garrucha to not be enough for the city transport. 
Not many Zapatistas had gathered at this location since the bloody battles of the 
indigenous uprising.

Symbols are many, they chose the last day of the Mayan cycle, which for many would be "the 
end of the world" and for others the beginning of a new era, changing skin renewal. During 
these 19 years the course of the Zapatista struggle has been full of symbolism and 
prophecies, and this opportunity should not be the exception.

Since the announcement of the forthcoming General Command of the Zapatista Army of 
National Liberation (EZLN) would release his word, the expectation for the content of your 
message has been growing. This Friday, however, what we heard were his steps, his silent 
walk walking five places, his dignified and rebel walk through the streets and his fist 
raised.

The last time I spoke Subcomandante Marcos, Zapatista military leader and spokesman, was 
in correspondence with the philosopher Luis Villoro, on December 7, 2011. And the most 
recent policy initiative was the Festival of Dignified Rage, which convened struggles and 
movements in Mexico and the world, in December 2008.

On Friday there were no members of the CCRI, as did his staff in May 2011. It was the last 
time you saw them Tacho, Zebedee, Esther, Hortencia, David and the rest of the general 
command, with the exception of Subcomandante Marcos, who has stayed away from the public eye.
Pictures: http://www.anarkismo.net/article/24546
by Committee of Solidarity with Chiapas - General Confederation of Labour