"We are here to say that we are human beings and we have a world-wide
proposal: a new international order based on, and ruled by, democracy,
liberty and justice."
EZLN
June 1995
CALL FOR
AN INTERNATIONAL ACT OF RESISTANCE
FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS
It has been said that there is no possibility of organizing
a world order based on democracy, liberty and justice, where all
peoples have the right to make decisions about the economic forces
that shape their lives. In the midst of this global cynicism and
despair, the Zapatistas of Southern Mexico have dared to propose an
alternative vision. Sentenced to disappear off the face of the earth,
because their means of production, culture and ethnicity have been
classified as "irrelevant," the Zapatistas have chosen to resist.
However they are faced with an intransigent Mexican government,
supported by the US, that has refused to eliminate human rights
abuses and has resorted to assassination to maintain its power and to
impose an authoritarian economic policy that benefits an elite at the
expense of millions.
Despite the government's continued militarization of Chiapas and
other southern states, the Zapatistas have managed to sustain a truce
for the past 18 months in an effort to work with peaceful democratic
forces to create a genuine democracy. They have asked civic society
to take up the banner of a peaceful transition to democracy in order
to avoid a bloody conflict. The Zapatistas' struggle seeks a new
model of democracy for Mexico, one that rejects the global economic
model promoted by the World Bank, the IMF and present US policy.
Like the Zapatistas, many in North America have also struggled,
although in different ways and places. Our resistance has lived
wherever people have fought to protect the resources of the earth. It
has lived wherever people have fought so that their jobs and their
quality of life allow them to preserve their human dignity. It has
lived wherever people have struggled to end oppression and
dictatorships, and to be free of persecution and torture.
In our resistance we share with the Zapatistas the following
ideals:
*That all human beings have the right to decent employment,
land, housing, nutrition, health, education, democracy, liberty,
justice, independence, culture, information, peace, security, the
fight against corruption and the defense of the environment.
*That an economy is political and that when it promotes the
exploitation of people and the earth, human beings are
obligated to find alternatives for reasons of their future survival.
We believe in seeking such alternatives to the projects and plans of
the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
*That all human beings are capable of organizing themselves
to make a world where hope lives and the dignity of community,
independence, and freedom belong to everyone.
*That democracy means that governments must represent the
will of the people, and not the will of a handful of wealthy people.
Democracy is more than the right to vote; it also means the right
to decide what happens to the economy.
The indigenous communities of southern Mexico have had the courage to
stand up for democracy, liberty and justice against a corrupt
government and a brutal global economic system. Their struggle for
change in Mexico offers the people of the world renewed hope, a chance
to organize and work to develop an "international order based on
peace, democracy, and justice." In order to keep this hope alive, we
must show that the Zapatistas are not alone in this struggle.
To do this, we ask that you make every effort to join us October 9-12,
1995 in Washington D.C. to express a united voice of resistance during
the state visit by Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and the meetings
of the World Bank and the IMF, where we will be joining the protests
of the "50 Years Is Enough" Campaign.
We extend a special invitation to our brothers and sisters in Canada,
to all those involved in agriculture, labor, immigration, women's
issues, the environment, indigenous rights, human rights and civil
rights because we believe that all of us together represent the true
picture of the global economy, and its specific impact in North
America.
JOIN US IN THIS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO STAND WITH THE ZAPATISTAS, AND
TO LET THOSE IN POWER KNOW THAT REASON AND A PEACEFUL TRANSITION TO
DEMOCRACY MUST REMAIN A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE IN MEXICO.
* * * * * * *
* * * *
The National Commission for Democracy in Mexico is an independent
network of groups and individuals committed to promoting solidarity
efforts with the people of Mexico in the struggle for democracy. A
tentative agenda accompanies this Call. We hope to hear from you
soon in response to our invitation.
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY IN MEXICO, USA
601 N. Cotton Street, #A103
El Paso, Texas 79902
(915) 532-8382 phone/fax
moonlight@igc.apc.org
NCDM PROPOSED WORKING AGENDA: OCTOBER 7-12, 1995
"NATIONAL ACT OF RESISTANCE
IN SUPPORT OF DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS"
Saturday, October 7th
8pm Forum Sponsored by "50 Years is Enough" Campaign:
"IMF Policies and Civil Unrest"
Sunday, October 8th
7:30 pm Attend Bread and Puppet Theater Program, sponsored
by "50 Years is Enough" Campaign
Monday, October 9th
Noon Participate in "50 Years is Enough" Campaign
Demonstration outside of Sheraton, site of World
Bank/IMF Meetings
3pm NCDM Zapatista Rally in front of the White House
-Including Indigenous People's Message
7pm "50 Years is Enough" Campaign Religious Vigil
with Bishop Samuel Ruiz
Tuesday, October 10th
10am Press Conference and Rally on Capitol Hill for the
Zapatistas, the peace process and the transition to
democracy in Mexico
Noon-1pm "50 Years is Enough" Campaign Religious Vigil in
front of Sheraton
2pm Protest against PRI dictatorship and human
rights violations
7pm Reception for NCDM guests from Mexico
and
NCDM Public Forum on Mexico
Wednesday, October 11th
Morning Visit Congressional Delegations and other
institutions related to Mexico (OAS, etc.)
Noon Participate in "50 Years Is Enough" Campaign's
Protest at Sheraton
Afternoon Protest Zedillo's Visit
Protest against US immigration policies and the
School of the Americas
Thursday, October 12th Schedule to be defined but proposed
activities include program to close NCDM Act of Resistance