During the summer of 2005 the Zapatistas launched a new initiative to promote justice, dignity, and democracy in the entire world.
For the first time they proposed to create organizational structures which reached beyond the autonomous, indigenous communities of Chiapas, Mexico. The organizing document for this new initiative was called the Sixth Declaration of the Ladondon Jungle and during the summer and fall of 2005 a series of public and semi-public meetings were held in Zapatista communities in Chiapas. Finally, on January 1, 2006 Sub Commander Marcos began a national tour to “listen” to the voices of the underdogs; to hear the discontent of Mexico directly from those most affected. Click here to read the Sixth Declaration of the Ladondon Jungle.
After months of travel there was a horrific police attack in the small farming community of Atenco near Mexico City. Many members of The Other Campaign were beaten and sexually assaulted; many community leaders remain in jail. In early May 2006 the Zapatistas declared a Red Alert” which placed the autonomous communities of Chiapas in defensive posture, closed the caracoles, and halted Marcos’ national tour.
