Chiapas Delegation

International Women’s Day Delegation, March 5 - 13, 2002 Our third annual delegation to Chiapas explores the struggle of indigenous people for autonomy after the Mexican Congress failed to implement the San Andrés Accords into law, the campesino struggle for land in the context of free trade and the Plan Puebla-Panamá (PPP), the condition of those displaced from their homes by low-intensity warfare and the struggle of all poor women for rights and dignity. We will visit indigenous men and women in an EZLN Aguascalientes (cultural center), indigenous women weavers from the Highlands, a large refugee camp and Mexican non-profits. We will receive a briefing on the current situation in Chiapas from non-profit staff. If we are really lucky, the Zapatista women will march on International Women’s Day (March 8) and we will be there to participate. (They do not announce this beforehand and they do not march every year.) Delegates will arrive in Tuxtla Gutierrez, capital of Chiapas, travel to the colonial city of San Cristobal and later travel into the canyons of the Lacandon Jungle to spend two or three nights with an indigenous community. Conditions there are like rough camping and require a sleeping bag and an air mattress or hammock. While in San Cristobal, there will be time for shopping and entertainment. Cost of the delegation is $450.00 for tuition. This does NOT include air fare. It DOES include food, lodging and ground transportation within Chiapas. It ALSO includes a donation for each community we visit, delegation expenses and educational materials. Delegation dates are March 5 to March 13, 2002. We are currently deciding the day-to-day itinerary and will send it to all those who are interested in the delegation when it is ready. The Chiapas Support Committee is a grass roots volunteer organization with 501(c)(3) non-profit status. In Chiapas we work with 2 Mexican non-profits, Kinal Antzetik and Enlace Civil. We support women’s collective projects, human rights training and autonomous health care and education. We also contribute to the refugee camp in Polhó, where approximately 8,000 displaced Zapatista supporters have taken refuge from paramilitary forces. For more information or for a registration form please contact: cezmat@igc.org Tel: (510) 654-9587 for more information