The Other Campaign in rural Sonora, Mexico
Here's a few from yesterday's trip to Sonora, Mexico to observe the Zapatista Other Campaign, represented by Delegate Zero (Subcomandante Marcos).
Just outside of the US/Mexico border in southern Arizona, we made it from Phoenix to the border in a little under three hours (we also stopped for lunch in Tucson).
Just arrived at the hostel where the Zapatistas were soon to roll in.
There was a constant mob around Marcos, the few people closest to him are also apart of the Other Campaign, representing various groups including workers, peasants, and indigenous organizations. The campaign's arrival was amazing, there was a bus, and three vans, all decorated with grafitti and political slogans, carrying all the participants of the Other Campaign traveling with Marcos. Those in the bus were younger Mexicans, in their early twenties, many of whom were anarchists as well.
Marcos again. This dude is one hell of a listener, when he spoke, it was only in whispers to whoever he was talking to. Later, during the community forum, he wrote a lot when others were talking, taking notes on the problems facing the people of Sonora. We left without hearing one word from his mouth.
Shortly after this photo the security announced there were no photos, as an elder performed a ceremony and traditional dancers did their thing, we all gathered for this in a circle. It was beautiful to be in complete darkness, seeing only glimpses of faces illuminated by the fire in the center of the circle, as the dancers' bodies moved to the pounding of drums and their voices cried out for revolution, "La lucha Sigue!"
Here's Brad and Brian after the ceremony, behind them are people sitting, waiting for the Other Campaign's community forum to begin.
Just outside of the US/Mexico border in southern Arizona, we made it from Phoenix to the border in a little under three hours (we also stopped for lunch in Tucson).
Just arrived at the hostel where the Zapatistas were soon to roll in.
There was a constant mob around Marcos, the few people closest to him are also apart of the Other Campaign, representing various groups including workers, peasants, and indigenous organizations. The campaign's arrival was amazing, there was a bus, and three vans, all decorated with grafitti and political slogans, carrying all the participants of the Other Campaign traveling with Marcos. Those in the bus were younger Mexicans, in their early twenties, many of whom were anarchists as well.
Marcos again. This dude is one hell of a listener, when he spoke, it was only in whispers to whoever he was talking to. Later, during the community forum, he wrote a lot when others were talking, taking notes on the problems facing the people of Sonora. We left without hearing one word from his mouth.
Shortly after this photo the security announced there were no photos, as an elder performed a ceremony and traditional dancers did their thing, we all gathered for this in a circle. It was beautiful to be in complete darkness, seeing only glimpses of faces illuminated by the fire in the center of the circle, as the dancers' bodies moved to the pounding of drums and their voices cried out for revolution, "La lucha Sigue!"
Here's Brad and Brian after the ceremony, behind them are people sitting, waiting for the Other Campaign's community forum to begin.