Words for everyone.

Originally published in Spanish by the EZLN ************************************ Translated by irlandesa, based on transcription of recording [Comandante Brusli’s Words in Oventik, August 9, 2003] Good afternoon to all brothers and sisters. Today, August 9, 2003, as a response to the political class’ plans to fragment the country, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation is calling on the people of Mexico to move forward with the Plan La Realidad-Tijuana. For which, we are proposing seven common accords and seven national demands: First accord: Reciprocal respect for the autonomy and independence of social organizations - of workers, campesinos, indigenous, women, old ones, homosexuals, lesbians, transsexuals, sex workers, young working persons, children, neighborhoods, teachers, small shop owners, debtors, artists, intellectuals, religious persons – for their processes and decision making methods, for their legitimate representatives, for their aspirations and demands, and for the accords which they reach with their opposition parties. Second accord: Promotion of forms of self-management and self-governance throughout the national territory, according to each of their means. Third accord: Promoting civil and peaceful rebellion and resistance in response to the regulations of the bad government and the political parties. Fourth accord: Lend total and unconditional solidarity to the one who is attacked, and not to the aggressor. Fifth accord: Form a network of intercommunity basic commerce and promotion of staple foods in national shops, giving preference to small and mid-sized business and informal commerce. Sixth accord: Joint and coordinated defense of national sovereignty and direct and radical opposition to impending privatizations of the electric industry, oil and other natural resources. Seventh accord: Form a network of information and culture, and demand truthful, complete, timely and balanced information from the media. Create local media, and establish regional and national networks for the defense and promotion of local, regional and national culture and of universal arts and sciences. These are the seven demands which we are proposing: First demand: The land belongs to the one who works it. In defense of ejidal and communal ownership of the land, and the protection and defense of natural resources. Nothing without the knowledge and prior consent of the inhabitants and workers of each place. Second demand: Dignified work, a fair wage, for everyone. Third demand: Dignified housing for everyone. Fourth demand: Free public health for everyone. Fifth demand: Low cost food and clothing for everyone. Sixth demand: Free secular education for children and young people. Seventh demand: Respect for the dignity of women, children and old persons. The EZLN is calling on independent social organizations of the State and of the political parties to discuss and to approve and expand on this national plan. Democracy, Liberty, Justice. From the mountains of the Mexican southeast. Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee – General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. Mexico, August of 2003. Gracias.