Zapatistas Quit the Jungle (Marcos Leaves Four Years Hiding to Speak Out)

[sintax]

Zapatistas quit the jungle for soapbox

Subcomandante Marcos leaves four years' hiding to speak out

Giles Tremlett
Monday August 8, 2005
The Guardian

The masked revolutionary icon of Latin America, Subcomandante Marcos, emerged from the Mexican jungle for the first time for four years over the weekend as his Zapatista movement rebranded itself as a non-violent proponent of alternative politics.

Wearing his trademark military fatigues and sweat-provoking black ski mask, the rebel appeared to be kick-starting a recently declared shift towards political engagement by the Zapatista National Liberation Army.

He carried with him a chicken dressed to look like a penguin - the unlikely new symbol of a revolutionary movement made up mainly of Maya Indians from the sweltering jungles of the southern Chiapas region.

The mysterious revolutionary, who led a brief armed uprising in Chiapas in January 1994 in the name of Indian rights, did not reveal where he had been hiding for the past four years.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1544510,00.html

[starroute]

1. Why is their symbol a chicken dressed as a penguin?

I read the article, but it didn't explain it.

Are they Linux fans?

This is weird.

[Kire]

2. it did too explain it

"Like penguins in the jungle, the Zapatistas will make an effort to stand upright and find a place for themselves in Mexico, Latin America and the world," Marcos explained in a recent missive quoted by Spain's El Periódico newspaper. "We are coming out, you might as well get used to the idea."

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Great symbol! Makes me wanna see that Penguins movie with Morgan Freeman.

[sintax]

3. Meta-fiction and allegory as political message

Learn more. Read some of the powerful messages for us all:

[Kire]

4. Do you think this has anything to do with CAFTA?

I wouldn't be surprised.

[sintax]

5. My thoughts are that this has more to do with

galvanizing the people of Mexico to establish a strong grass roots movement at a time when the left in Mexico is veering to the center, being seduced you might say. But of course CAFTA is always lurking like Dracula behind the curtain.

Beware the Beast of El Norte


"Marcos has said the rebels will embark on a cross-country, pre-election tour aimed at uniting workers, students and activists around a leftwing agenda. The new phase of Zapatista action "is not to draw lines, is not to promote the armed fight in another state", Marcos said. He added: "It is to go and ask the people what they think and how their problems are being resolved."

[arcos]

6. CAFTA has nothing to do with Mexico...

They are trying to influence Mexican politics, not Central American.

[Kire]

7. yes, but the Zapatistas formed around NAFTA.

their rebellion started the same day NAFTA did, I'm just saying their organization is ideologically opposed to globalization.

Zapatistas are not restricted to Mexico. I consider myself one and I live in New Jersey.

[grytpype]

8. I am a Zappatista.

[Kire]

9. it took me a minue to get that

even with the picture