Amigos de las CASAs:
This month in Chiapas, CASA hosted a delegation in which a group of twelve American attended presentations with a number of partner organization to develop their understanding of the political, cultural, historical, social and economic context of Chiapas.
Delegates heard Sipaz provide a history of Zapatismo and a summary of the current political climate in Chiapas and CIEPAC present a history of capitalism and the grave consequences of free trade agreements for Mexico. They heard CAPISE speak about militarization in Zapatista territories and also participated in a four-day human rights observation brigade through CAPISE as part of a campaign in defense of land and territory initiated by the Other Campaign.
Delegations tend to be an intense experience for participants, who receive huge amounts of new information during little more than a week. Additionally, being in a new cultural setting often requires pushing the limits of our comfort zones, requiring flexibility and patience. Leila, co-coordinator of the recent delegation, writes a reflection on the importance of leaving privilege behind when participating in delegations.
CASA de la Paz in Chiapas has also put out a call for long-term volunteers. For applications please see:
The Good Government Council in the Zapatista caracol, La Realidad, denounced the policies of President Felipe Calderón and state Governor Juan Sabines after the violent displacement of two Zapatista communities, San Manuel and Buen Samaritano. Both communities are in the Montes Azules region of the state. Along with the displacements, a number of Zapatista were arrested and accused of destroying the mountains of the ecological reserve.
During August, five new members of the collective have arrived in Oaxaca and are working on a variety of projects. Frazer and Loren are giving computer classes in San Juan la Lana, a small community in the jungle in the northern part of Oaxaca.
Andrea, who has worked in the U.S. as a birthing assistant, is volunteering with Nueve Lunas, which trains midwives from indigenous communities around Oaxaca.
Liz, who covered the August strike of university professors from the UABJO for this month's newsletter, works for an animal refuge center that also offers sensibility trainings to children from public schools to build awareness about living with physical disabilities. Patrick who recently worked for Men Can Stop Rape in Washington D.C. is collaborating with Oaxacan organization Diversidades to develop a series for community radio that aims to prevent domestic violence and explore concepts of masculinity alternative to machismo.
Patrick Lincoln is keeping a blog, www.oaxacajournals.wordpress.com, to help friends, family and fellow activists follow his travels. On his blog, you will also find a survey on international solidarity to fill out and help guide his time in Oaxaca, and be able to read responses from other organizers that will be helpful foranyone thinking about a trip to Mexico.
Gerlaine has recently returned to Los Angeles but continues her research on graffiti and art collectives in Oaxaca. Her article, Identity and Art in ASARO, will be of interest to those familiar with the work of ASARO, who have had numerous exhibitions across the United States.
Enjoy reading!
In solidarity,
CASA Collectives
Chiapas and Oaxaca,
México
