Zapata lives on in opposition to new golf course
Tepoztlan: rebel town
* Mexico
In July 1995 the people of Tepoztlan, in the Mexican state of Morelos, began a movement to prevent the construction of a golf club on 240 hectares of common land within a local ecological reserve. In the following 18 months, the large mobilisations, international petitions, illegal arrest of local leaders and seemingly endless negotiations with civil servants, illustrate, at the level of one town, the deep rebellion of the Mexican people against the PRI party-state, Jose Martínez Cruz* reports
The struggle in Tepoztlan is a struggle for land and freedom. In 19 months of struggle, the 10,000 inhabitants have, by peaceful means, transformed their lives. More than half the population took part in the election of local representatives, despite government refusal to recognise the process.
The Mexican police are not welcome in Tepoztlan. If they enter, they are detained by the popular patrols, made up of local youth. Three police agents were almost lynched last year, when they entered the town to arrest a member of the Tepoztlan Unity Committee (Comite de la Unidad de Tepoztlan), the group which leads the movement.
Tepoztlan is protected by a ring of mountains, and dominates a valley famous for magical and religious traditions linked to Quetzalcoatl and the god Tepoztecatl. Stone barricades have been built on the access
That high point in the resistance and self- organisation of the indigenous communities has remained in their memories. The struggle for land and freedom continues! *
*The author is a leading member of the Revolutionary
Workers Party (PRT), Mexican section of the Fourth
International. He can be contacted at PRT, Xola No.181,
Col Alamos CP 03400, Mexico DF. Tel 590 0969, Fax
5902021, <cidhmor@laneta.apc.org> roads, and on several occasions literally
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