4T

DECLARATION IN DEFENSE OF WATER, LAND AND LIFE

The 4th Assembly for Water and for Life was held in late March in Tlaxacala, at which more that 500 people from 300 indigenous communities of the Mexican territory as well as collectives and organizations from distinct geographies of Latin America and Europe were present.

The text of their common declaration elaborates a comprehensive view of the ills plaguing indigenous territories and the planet and details numerous plans of action in defense of life and “The Common.”

Yesterday’s Paper

“In his popular song Periódico de ayer, Héctor Lavoe narrated the story of a love that had similarities with a newspaper article of the previous day: Sensational when it came out at dawn // By noon already established news // And in the afternoon forgotten matter. In addition to the speed of the news, there is the “presentism” into which we as societies have settled and the noise with which certain information is hidden. Unfortunately, violence in our country is not yesterday’s news, it is a present reality that requires us to discuss it as one of the great national problems and to look for real solutions.”

Indigenous Peoples and Militarization

Despite numerous protections of indigenous peoples and recommendations from the UN to demilitarize indigenous territories, the process of militarization continues. In Mexico, it is often related to the implementation of megaprojects, such as the so-called Mayan Train.

Indigenous peoples: Farewell to the so-called new relationship

At the time of the suspended dialogue between the federal government and the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) it was claimed that a new relationship would be built between the State and the indigenous peoples. The farewell ceremony began in September 1996, when EZLN declared the suspension of the dialogue due to a crisis in what was to be the second round table on democracy and justice. It has been 27 years since that event…

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