OpticalRealities > Oventic, Mexico: Women relax as they listen to speakers at a Zapatista sponsored event in Oventic, Mexico.
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico: Farmers plant corn as the rains begin to fall.

The Zapatista struggle against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):  On New Year’s Day, 1994, the day NAFTA went into effect, indigenous communities throughout the State of Chiapas, Mexico, called the Zapatistas and named after the Emiliano Zapata who led the revolution in Mexico in 1910, staged a dramatic 12-day uprising.  Among their concerns was the potential demise of their economy resulting from the flood of imports that would ensue from the lifting of all tariffs on 45 basic agricultural imports, as well as their environmental and human rights being further eroded.  Their demands included an autonomous state and indigenous rights.
In spite of their initial militant uprising, the Zapatistas (EZLN & FZLN) have spent much of the last twelve years training teachers and health workers while launching numerous innovative and non-violent peace initiatives.  
On February 16, 1996, the Mexican government and the EZLN signed the San Andres Accords, granting the Zapatistas autonomy and land. 
Despite their peaceful subsistence, the government of Mexico has over the years responded brutally against the Zapatista’s. Attacks have included abductions, detentions, torturing and beating of community members, and included the 1997 massacre of 45 unarmed civilians, mostly women and children, three days before Christmas in the town of Acteal.
For this reason, many Zapatista community members wear bandanas on their faces to protect their identities and avoid potential State persecution.
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
OpticalRealities > Chiapas, Mexico (Panetta)
Oventic, Mexico: Women relax as they listen to speakers at a Zapatista sponsored event in Oventic, Mexico.
OpticalRealities > Oventic, Mexico: Women relax as they listen to speakers at a Zapatista sponsored event in Oventic, Mexico.
Oventic, Mexico: Women relax as they listen to speakers at a Zapatista sponsored event in Oventic, Mexico.
See photo in original gallery.

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