Historic events are unfolding right now in Mexico around the National Indigenous Congress (CNI). Indigenous communities throughout Mexico are faced with unprecedented levels of state violence and displacement from indigenous lands. The CNI decided to go on the offensive by presenting an indigenous woman who will serve as spokesperson for a democratic governing council and become a candidate for the presidency of Mexico, thereby inspiring a new level of community-based organizing throughout the country. We write today to ask you to stand in solidarity with the CNI.
Founded in 1996, the CNI includes 43 peoples from 523 communities across 25 Mexican states confronting capitalist plans that promise nothing but death for all of Mexico’s peoples. “From our pain, our rage was born; from rage, our rebellion was born; and from rebellion, the freedom of the peoples of the world will be born. Because the heart of our mother earth lives in the spirit of our peoples.”
The CNI is grounded in seven principles:
1 – To serve, not serve oneself.
2 – To build, not destroy.
3 – To represent, not supplant.
4 – To convince, not defeat.
5 – To obey, not command.
6 – To go from below, not from above.
7 – To propose, not impose.
There is much work to be done in this bold campaign to rebuild Mexico from below and from the Left. The CNI is currently building their organizational capacity – certainly a crucial step in this unprecedented effort. This requires funds for mass meetings, transportation, printing and hundreds of other necessities. The CNI can accept funds from international sources through the month of August – only until the formal registration of their candidate. It goes without saying that the CNI refuses to accept any State or corporate campaign financing, so all support for this historic mobilization will come from the grassroots. The time is now to demonstrate solidarity with the CNI in their resistance, rebellion and organization.
You can also send donations to:
Mexico Solidarity Network
3460 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625.
All donations are tax deductible and 100% of your donation will go directly the National Indigenous Congress. Thanks for your kind consideration.