Zapatistas mark 30 years since their armed uprising in southern Mexico

By EDGAR H. CLEMENTE
Associated Press

OCOSINGO, Mexico (AP) — Members and supporters of the Zapatista indigenous rebel movement are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their brief armed uprising in southern Mexico. It comes amid the erosion of their social base and rising violence spurred by drug cartels encroaching on their territory. Hundreds had gathered in the remote community of Dolores Hidalgo in the preceding days to mark the occasion. Some 1,500 young Zapatistas, men and women, donning uniforms – black balaclavas, green caps and red kerchiefs – stood in formation listening to speeches early Monday. Subcommander Moises called for the Zapatistas to continue organizing themselves to fight to maintain their autonomy, freedom and democracy.