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EZLN mobilizes in solidarity with Ayotzinapa
Indigenous Zapatistas give offerings and prayers asking for justice for the Ayotzinapa 43. Photo: Angeles Mariscal/Chiapas Paralelo
By: Angeles Mariscal
Students, independent citizens, collectives, activists, civil society organizations, teachers and members of the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN, its initials in Spanish) participated since early this morning in demonstrations of support for relatives of the 43 students of the Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers College, in Ayotzinapa Guerrero, who complete one year today since they were disappeared after authorities detained them.
The Zapatistas carried out solidarity actions in the headquarters of their good government juntas, which exist in 5 Chiapas regions. On stages in front of thousands of the rebel group’s members, they placed 43 chairs with the names of the disappeared students, as part of silent ceremonies where they named each one of the absent youths, while the crowd shouted “present!” They also lit offerings of 43 candles and flower offerings on the side of the roads by their communities.
They hung banners with the legend: “The struggle for the 43 disappeared of Ayotzinapa continues and will continue,” “Parents and relatives of the disappeared, your pain is our pain.”
In a prior comunicado announced on the eve of the demonstrations, the EZLN also expressed solidarity with the family members and with thousands of other persons who have disappeared in the country. They questioned the authorities and said that sooner or later those guilty of the disappearances and homicides will pay for their crimes.
They also demonstrated with marches and roadblocks in at least 40 Chiapas municipalities. In each one of them they ask for a transparent and independent investigation of the facts, locating the young men and for punishing those responsible.
The protest actions continue and it is expected that other cultural activities and forums will be held later in support of the parents of the Ayotzinapa students. All the demonstrations have been peaceful.
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Originally Published in Spanish by Chiapas Paralelo
Translation: Chiapas Support Committee
Saturday, September 26, 2015
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