On January 1st, 2006, Delegate Zero, also known as Subcomandante Marcos, burst from the jungle on his motorcycle and began his six-month journey through Mexico. His goal is clear: listening to the voices of his country. Marcos and the Zapatistas will travel through every state in the country, meeting with local people, NGOs, and social organizations to start discussions on possible alternatives to the current governmental system. Their intention is to redefine democracy ‚ to create an anti-capitalist, bottom-up democracy that considers the needs of all Mexican people, especially the commonly overlooked lower classes. Called the “Other Campaign”, recognizing the 2006 Mexican election year, the Zapatistas are hoping to build a strong network of allies to put pressure on the current government, to give people an alternative to the current debates, and to eventually change the Mexican constitution.

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) first entered in the scene in 1994 as a group of armed guerrilla fighters. At first, they were concerned primarily with the rights of indigenous communities; they had a dream of indigenous autonomy, and reclamation and ownership of lands. The struggles of these masses date back to the early 16th century, when the Spanish first began their colonization and control. The ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations were conquered, lands and resources were appropriated, and the indigenous people were suppressed. This dispossessed underclass attempted uprisings from time to time, but the ruling class was always able to maintain control.

The EZLN originated in the areas of Southern Mexico that had been extremely depleted for farming purposes, and suffered in the face of global economic planning. The catalyst for the armed uprising was NAFTA, which many indigenous people felt to be threatening. The 1994 uprising was overpowered by the Mexican government within weeks, and the Zapatistas have been deliberately non-violent since then. Their interests have grown from being indigenous-centered to acting for all poor and underrepresented people. They have gained support throughout the world for their ability to make the Mexican government recognize those who have been marginalized by economic decisions, and to take all Mexican people into consideration.

The EZLN has their share of critics. Many are afraid that the left will divide between the Zapatistas and the current left-of-center candidates, and that the right will take power in Mexicoís 2006 elections. Nonetheless, a discussion of a grassroots democracy as a reality is intriguing to many. Doubtless, the frustrated masses will be happy to have a place to go, and will realize some satisfaction and hope through their conversations with Marcos and the Zapitistas. The Zapatistas have been applauded for their ability to rally enormous interest and support, and to bring to the table a discussion that is simply not possible in most of the world.

Originally published by InternationalistMag.com on January 13, 2006