OccupyForum: "Report from Zapatista Territory"

In January 1994 the Zapatistas took the city of San Cristobal in an armed revolution to fight for the rights and freedom of the indigenous people of Chiapas. This rebellion has not died down since ’94 though the media is ignoring it. The Zapatistas are now functioning in complete autonomy from the Mexican Government and have formed their government without hierarchy and based in consensus.
Maria Donjacour went and visited one of the Zapatista communities and is by no means an expert, but wishes to share some of the history of the movement, some of the native language she learned there (Tzotzil). In addition, there will be an engaged discussion in order to practice some of the ideas that emerge from the language that can help us in our organizing to fight the forces that destroy our communities as well as the ones in southern Mexico and around the world.
Maria grew up in San Francisco, and has attended many OccupyForum events. She is interested in dance, social justice and political change. She is a Division 2 student at Hampshire College, Amherst MA.