“Yes, Marcos is gay. Marcos is gay in San Francisco, black in South Africa, an Asian in Europe, a Chicano in San Ysidro, an anarchist in Spain, a Palestinian in Israel, a Mayan Indian in the streets of San Cristobal, a Jew in Germany, a Gypsy in Poland, a Mohawk in Quebec, a pacifist in Bosnia, a single woman on the Metro at 10pm, a peasant without land, a gang member in the slums, an unemployed worker, an unhappy student and, of course, a Zapatista in the mountains.” ―Subcomandante Marcos
With ski masks, simple arms, and shouts of “Ya basta!” (“Enough is enough”) the Ejercito Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN) began their march into public memory. As a movement of mostly rural indigenous peoples in the south of Mexico, they shocked the world on January 1st, 1994, the date of implementation of the disastrous North American Free Trade Agreement.
They fought in the cities and mountains of Mexico to create a new, autonomous society, free from the “Empire of Money” quickly advancing over the world through globalization and neo-liberal policies. Using a wide variety of tactics, including armed resistance, education, media outreach, non-violent direct action, and the creation of autonomous communities, they have been able to preserve thousands of hectacres of land, free from national governmental intrusion. Having almost no access to material resources, they have successfully built healthcare systems, sustainable ways of feeding their populations, schools, and “bottom-driven” forms of self-government. Now they have opened up their homes to teach their history and tactics.
On Monday, October 14th, hear from one member of the EZLN’s “Little Schools”, who attended the first school in August and has been working to spread the “heart of Zapatismo” in the US. Come learn as we discuss how to create the culture of resistance necessary to put meaning behind the call for international solidarity and fight with those who struggle against oppression around the world.
For more information, please read “Practice First, Then Theory”. Please feel free to join us – the meeting is free and open to the public.
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Monday, October 14th
8pm – 9pm
Bellevue Hospital: Room A-342
462 1st Avenue
(between East 26th/28th)
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Join our celly group by texting @dgrnyc to 23559 to receive up to date information about meetings and other events. If you need any further directions or have any questions, please contact us.