"We have nothing to lose, absolutely nothing, no decent roof over our heads, no land, no work, poor health, no food, no education, no right to freely and democratically choose our leaders, no independence from foreign interests, and no justice for ourselves or our children. But today we say enough is enough! We are the descendants of those who truly built this nation, we are the millions of dispossessed, and we call upon our brothers to join our crusade, the only option to avoid dying of starvation."

-EZLN Declaration of War

On January 1, 1994 the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) started a revolution in Mexico that coincided with the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. This treaty, according to the EZLN, would be a "death sentence" for the people of Mexico. The Zapatistas are not fighting for power or control over the government, but for such basic rights as:

• An end to illiteracy
• The right to education
• The right to dignified jobs
• Respect for indigenous peoples and cultures
• The creation of hospitals
• Freedom for an independent press
• A cancellation of debts for the poor
• An end to hunger, malnutrition and brutal exploitation
• The release of political prisoners
• The creation of truly free and democratic elections
• Establishment of municipal "self-governance with political, economic and
  cultural autonomy"
• Birth clinics, child care and access to education for women

The EZLN is "lead" by Sub-Commander Marcos, a figure which has caused much speculation over the last decade. The identity of Marcos, a name which comes from a brother who was killed in combat, is unknown. Some say he is a professor and intellectual from Mexico City. His anonymity and ablitity to use the media to his advantage has brought world-wide attention to his cause.

Although Marcos is shown as the leader of the Zapatista Army, he is always quick to point out that the Zapatistas are lead by the people and he is only there to act as an intermediary. The EZLN make their decisions through the Revolutionary Indigenous Clandestine Committee - General Command (CCRI - GC), a group made up of Zapatista community elders, both men and women. The CCRI-CG, in turn, takes their orders from the communities that they represent.

"I will take off my ski mask when Mexican society takes off its own mask, the one it uses to cover up the real Mexico." - Subcomandante Marcos, with his trademark pipe.

In June of 1994 the Mexican government offered a peace proposal which was rejected by a vote of all Zapatistas. Marcos sums up the deliberations...

"They advised us to be prudent and to sign the peace [agreement]. They said the government would finish us off in hours or days, at the latest, if we didn't sign for peace... They asked us to prudently surrender and live... Who could live with that shame? Who trades life for dignity? Such sensible advice was useless... All afternoon we talked in the Committee. We tried to find the word 'surrender' in some language but we couldn't. It doesn't translate into Tzotzil nor into Tzeltal and no one remembers that word in Tojolabal or in Chol. We spend hours trying to find an equivalent... Someone arrives with rain pouring off the cap and the rifle, 'Coffee's ready', they tell us. The Committee, as is customary in these parts, takes a vote to see if they'll have coffee or continue trying to find the equivalent of 'SURRENDER' in the language of truth. Coffee wins unanimously. NO ONE SURRENDERS. Will we be alone?"

The "hours or days" which the government estimated for victory has now turned into years.

All photos copyright 1997 Scott Sady