February 24, 2023
To the peoples in resistance and rebellion of the South-Southeast of Mexico
To the peoples in resistance and rebellion of the Global South
To the national and international organizations of struggle from below and to the left
To the human rights organizations of the world
To the free and alternative media or whatever they are called
There are only two months left until the beginning of the caravan “The South Resists 2023” that will tour the South/Southeast of Mexico through the territories affected by the interconnected megaproject “Mayan Train / Interoceanic Corridor” uniting peoples, communities, neighborhoods, barrios, and indigenous, peasant, feminist, union, popular and civil society organizations that are in struggle and resistance against different forms of dispossession by the state in collaboration with global and patriarchal capital.
At the end of this tour, that will take place from April 25th to May 5th, we are calling this international encounter to share the pains, hopes and articulation strategies outlined, to learn from the struggles of other geographies, and to continue weaving planetary solidarity networks of resistances and rebellions.
We call upon one and all, the neighborhood resistances, the peoples who struggle, the urban and peripheral collectives, those who build autonomies and rebellions in all corners of the Global South, to unite, to meet again to get to know each other, to exchange knowledge and feelings, to articulate global struggles, and to agree on joint actions to name, proclaim, and reclaim the right to a dignified life of peoples and nature.
It’s time for us to listen to each other and to point out directly those who are behind the causes of the dispossession that we live in our territories; that 1% of the world population whose decisions and ways of life have caused the current climate crisis that forces us to be displaced as peoples, that transforms our territories and exposes us to exploitation, extractivism, war. Because we know that the struggles are not only here in Mexico, they are in many places around the world where compañeras, compañeros y compañeroas of the global South are putting their bodies on the line to defend their territories from the industrial corridors, trains and deadly projects of global corporate capitalism. And we know that in the corners of what is called the Global North there are people resisting, who are also part of the Global South, and we call on them to join their voices to this struggle. We are the 99% who resist the onslaught of those who destroy us and seek to dominate us.
We invite you to register before April 15th at this email address: elsurresiste@riseup.net, with the subject “encuentro internacional,” and providing contact information: first and last names, organization, state and/or country of origin. Please specify if you wish to present a concrete experience of struggle, resistance and/or construction of autonomy, and the format of your presentation (video, powerpoint, etc). Consider planning a brief presentation time, which may have to be adjusted once registrations are completed.
As part of the program, there will be a moment to share the various struggles. However, there will probably not be enough time for everyone, therefore, we will invite you to set up informative “stands” in which you will be able, during the breaks, to share your experience with the people who wish to learn about it. We invite you to write a document of no more than 2 pages, illustrating the most important aspects of your struggle process, to be included in the final report.
Regarding lodging, information will be provided on safe, low-cost places to stay in San Cristobal de las Casas. Due to the current situation of insecurity in the city, it is recommended not to go out in the outlying neighborhoods after 9 p.m. and to collectively safeguard the security of the International Encounter among all the participants, keeping in mind that the consumption of alcohol and drugs is not allowed, nor will any type of harassment or violence be tolerated.
From various corners of the South-Southeast of México,
Coordination and Organization Commission
EL SUR RESISTE 2023
Indigenous National Congress – Indigenous Governing Council.
OUR STRUGGLE IS FOR LIFE!
LONG LIVE THE FLOURISHING OF THE PEOPLES!
THE SOUTH RESISTS!
English translation by Sexta Grietas del Norte. Original Spanish here