Compas,

We would like to bring your attention to historic events that 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 as part of a national campaign 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.”

CNI Building Organizational Capacity

There is much work to be done in this bold political 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 October – 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 by contributing to the CNI in their resistance, rebellion and organization.

CNI Providing Disaster Relief

In the context of historic political and social changes in Mexico, the CNI understands its priorities.  The organization is anxious to address the pressing human suffering caused by two recent earthquakes, one near Mexico City and the other near Oaxaca and Chiapas, plus hurricane Katia, which made landfall in Veracruz.  The government has proven wholly inadequate in its response, so the National Indigenous Congress is stepping up to raise funds for community based reconstruction efforts.  Please make a donation to the fully accountable and nationally trusted National Indigenous Congress for their disaster relief efforts.

You can DONATE BELOW for either CNI infrastructure or CNI disaster relief, or send donations by check to: Mexico Solidarity Network 3460 W Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 60625.  All donations are tax deductible. Thanks for your kind consideration.