FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comite Zapatista De Los Angeles (CZLA)

Calls all forms of media to attend an urgent press conference addressing the recent developments in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico.
CONTACT: Eduardo Torres (818) 468-1277
e-mail: comitezapatistadelosangeles@yahoo.com



DATE: July 16th, 2002 at 4:00pm in front of the Mexican Consulate, 2401 W. Sixth St. Los Angeles, CA.

HEADLINE: Comite Zapatista de Los Angeles and civil society supports the current resistance in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico.
Manifestation from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, followed by community organizing meeting centered on supporting Atenco, MX.


BODY: “ATENCO IS NOT FOR SALE!”

When corporate and government officials decided last fall to relocate Mexico City’s airport to the community of San Salvador Atenco, few if any, considered the opinion and interest of the thousands of peasant’s who depend on the land for daily existence.

From the inception, the farmers have resisted a government mandate to leave their homes and fields in return for modest cash payments, at .70 cents per 1.2 square yards. Now, taking inspirations from southern Mexico’s Zapatista movement, they, the historically voiceless and economically oppressed, have donned ski masks and have turned to resistance for autonomy and self-determination. They have blocked roads; participated in marches with their machetes and defending themselves from police attacks. The lates police attacks were repelled by the peasants by the only means of self-defense they know.

Why this protest? The people are protesting government attempts to expropriate the lands of the people for the 11,000-acre, $2.3 billion airport project, that would bring to the communities further economic and ecological marginalization . As of Thursday, July 12th 2002 sixteen people were injured and seven police officers and court officials were taken hostage, after peasants lost hope and patience with the lack of support from the local and federal government, represented by Vicente Fox, political puppet of George Bush, and the World Bank.

International Support:

Tuesday, July 16th 2002, is being marked as national and internal day of solidarity with the people of San Salvador Atenco. We, the Comite Zapatista de Los Angeles in unity with civil society demand that the Mexican government adhere to the current demands being set and negotiated by the community of San Salvador Atenco.

In Struggle and Solidarity with our brothers and sisters of San Salvador Atenco, Mexico.

Comite Zapatista de Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
At 4:00 pm, Tuesday July 16th 2002



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comite Zapatista De Los Angeles (CZLA)

Llama a todos los medios de communication para atender una urgente conferencia de prensa con respecto a los recientes acontecimientos en San Salvador Atenco, Mexico
CONTACT: Eduardo Torres (818) 468-1277
e-mail: comitezapatistadelosangeles@yahoo.com



DATE: 16 de julio, 2002 at 4:00pm en frente del Consulado Mexicano, 2401 W. Sixth St. Los Angeles, CA.

HEADLINE: El Comite Zapatista de Los Angeles y la sociedad civil apoya la resistencia en San Salvador Atenco, Mexico.
Manifestacion de 3:00pm a 5:00pm, despues tendremos una junta communitaria enfocada en el apoyo a Atenco, MX.


BODY: “ATENCO NO SE VENDE!”

Cuando las corporaciones y los oficiales gubernarmentales dicidieron el otono pasado reubicar el aeropuerto de la ciudad de Mexico a la comunidad de San Salvador Atenco, pocos considieron la opinion y los intereses de los miles de campesinos que dependen la tierra para sobrevir cotidianamente.

Desde el inicio, los campesinos han resistido las demandas del govierno para dejar sus hogares y campos por un recompensa modesta, de .70 centavos por 1.2 yardas cuadradas. Ahora, tomando inspiraciones del movimiento Zapatista del sur de Mexico, ellos, historicamente sin voces y economicamente oprimido, se han puesto sus panuelos y recurido a la restistencia por la autonomia y la libre determinacion. Ellos han bloqueado carreteras; participado en marchas con sus machetes y defendido de los ataques de la policia. Los ultimos actos violentos de la policia fueron repelidos por los campesinos con las unicas formas de autodefensa que pudieron.

Porque esta protesta? El pueblo estan protestando los intentos del govierno para expropiar las tierras del pueblo de 11,000-acres, para el proyecto del aeropuerto de $2.3 billones de dolares, que traera a las comunidades marginacion economica y ecologica. Desde el jueves, 12 de Julio 2002, dieciseis personas estaban heridas y siete policias y oficiales gubernamentales fueron tomados como rehenes, despues que los campesino perdieron esperanzas y paciencia por la falta de apoyo del govierno estatal y federal representado por Vicente Fox, titere de George Bush y el Banco Mundial.

Apoyo Internacional:

Martes, 16 de Julio 2002, esta marcando como el dia nacional y internacional en solidaridad con el pueblo de San Salvador Atenco. Nosotros, el Comite Zapatista de Los Angeles en unidad con la sociedad civil demandadamos que el gobierno Mexicano respete las demandas recientes que esta reclamando la comunidad de San Salvador Atenco.

En Lucha y Solidaridad con nuestros hermanos y hermanas de San Salvador Atenco, Mexico.

Comite Zapatista de Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
At 4:00 pm, Tuesday July 16th 2002