On January 1st, 1994 a revolution began in Chiapas, Mexico. The Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN - named after Emiliano Zapata, leader of the 1910 Mexican Revolution), comprised of mostly indigenous people of Mexico, invaded several cities within the southeastern state of Chiapas. The army was able to take control of most of Chiapas, including four major municipalitities and much of the land.

12 days, and the loss of at least 350 lives, after the Zapatista rising a cease-fire was called and negotiations began between the EZLN and the Mexican Government. The EZLN called on the people and the government to provide "jobs, land, housing, food, health, independence, freedom, democracy, justice and peace" for all Mexicans, especially those who have been persecuted for hundreds of years.

The uprising of the Zapatistas came after years of trying to gain rights through peaceful means. However, the passing of Article 27 in the Mexican Constitution combined with the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement by the United States and Mexico took what little the Indigenous people had. Through the will of the people, the Zapatista Army came down from the hills of the Jungle in which they lived and trained and began a movement the world is not likely to forget anytime soon.

Unfortunetely, even with the mass support of the people for the Zapatista Movement, the government has been slow to make any changes. After awhile, when no progress was made, the peace talks broke off and currently Chiapas is occupied by approximately a third of Mexican troops, which have surrounded the Zapatista Army.