Please share this joyful news everywhere!
$91,000 donated to help the Zapatistas survive COID-19.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2020
Today, Schools for Chiapas announced the distribution of more than two million Mexican pesos ($91,000 USD) to the Mayan Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico with the goal of helping them survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today’s Schools for Chiapas announcement details plans for launching a new phase in their effort to support the Mayan communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Schools for Chiapas promises to continue their support of Zapatistas in the long term, and to publish information about the effort to survive COVID-19 in additional languages. Volunteer translators have already published their global message in Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Turkish, French, Italian, Gaelic, Polish, and English. Information in additional languages is promised soon.
In an email to volunteer translators, Schools for Chiapas’ spokesperson Peter Brown explained, “The pandemic is a massive global phenomenon, therefore we must make certain that our solidarity is both massive and global.”
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In ten languages, the multilingual document details the amazing successes achieved during the first six months of an international campaign to support the Zapatista struggle to survive the Coronavirus pandemic. The document explains that just as COVID-19 disproportionately affects minority and working-class communities here in the United States, it also presents unique challenges to indigenous, autonomous communities around the world such as the Zapatistas of Chiapas, Mexico. In recognition of this, and as part of their continuing 25-year commitment to support education in Zapatista communities, Schools for Chiapas has raised and distributed over two million pesos (approximately $91,000 USD) to the Zapatista healthcare system during the past 6 months to support survival of autonomous Mayan communities during the pandemic. Dozens of volunteers from 15 countries have assisted with this effort which now counts 400+ donors from many counties. Please share this announcement by word-of-mouth and social media – with your help we can build on these successes
Support for the autonomous communities during the pandemic has come from sales of Zapatista arts, crafts, and produce, an online musical event as well as individuals, families, indigenous organizations as well as businesses and donors such as Honor the Earth, Metabolic Studio, Void Tactical Media and x24, Higher Grounds Coffee, and the Tides Foundation on the recommendation of Potrero Nuevo Fund.
The Schools for Chiapas announcement states: “This campaign to save lives during the pandemic is following the vision of Eduardo Galeano who famously declared, ‘I don't believe in charity. I believe in solidarity. Charity is so vertical. It goes from the top to the bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person. I have a lot to learn from other people.’”
The full text of the multilingual document describing the first six months of successes raising funds for the Zapatista fight to survive can be found online here along with dramatic photos of the indigenous Mayan Zapatistas of Chiapas, Mexico can be found online:
CONTACT:
For additional information, or for media interviews, contact Schools for Chiapas spokesperson, Peter Brown.
Languages available online at
Schools for Chiapas / Escuelas para Chiapas
1631 Dale Street, San Diego, CA 92102
