On this day, 17 November 1983, six people of Indigenous and mestize origin founded the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) in the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico. 11 years later, around 3000 armed EZLN members launched an uprising taking control of a considerable amount of land in the region, freeing prisoners and destroying police and army barracks. In a counter-attack by the Mexican army, the guerrillas lost control of many towns and cities and retreated into the Lacandon jungle.
Subsequently the Zapatistas established a number of self-governing autonomous communities, with a population of over 300,000 people who are mostly from the Chol, Kanjobal, Mame, Tjolobal, Tzeltal, Tzozil, and Zoque Indigenous communities. Other than personal property, private ownership was abolished, with collective ownership of land and collectively owned and run workplaces. Radical, democratic schools, where pupils are not graded, were established, as was a universal healthcare service, drastically improving public health and reducing infant mortality. The communities also have a strong commitment to Indigenous, women’s and LGBT+ rights.
So if you know five people who think like you, set up a group!
Learn more about the Zapatistas, and Emiliano Zapata after whom they are named, in these books: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/all/zapatistas https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1856463564538785/?type=3
