Remembering Ramona Honoring E.Z.L.N

Comandanta Ramona was a revolutionary leader of the Zapatista National Army which was created by non indigenous members of the F.L.N and indigenous peoples in Chiapas an area with a million indigenous people. E.Z.L.N also known as Zapatistas was formed on November 17, 1983. Ramona was born in 1959. She sold arts and crafts and was known for making dolls.

The Zapatistas declared war against the Mexican government when their food sources were threatened by N.A.F.T.A. along with corporations and neo-liberals. They committed their lives to fighting capitalism knowing if they did not fight they would die anyway. They took over 4 towns in 11 days of fighting. One of the cities San Cristobal De Las Casas was taken over by Ramona. Ramona made major contribution to womens rights within the E.Z.L.N. She created the Womens Revolutionary Law. This was essentially that women would have control over their own bodies and that they would be able to be in leadership and places of authority as their capacity and will dictates within E.Z.L.N. Regard was also given to health, nutrition and education. Up to one third of the E.Z.L.N was made up of women. She founded the National Indigenous Congress. It is noted that she made a speech to the government in her native Mayan language. She passed away in 2006. Sub Comandante Marcos had this to say “Mexico has lost one of the combative women it needs and we have lost a piece of our heart”. The mountains told us to take up arms so we would have a voice. To cover our faces so we would have a face. To forget our names so that we could be named. To remember our past so we could have a future. Zapatistas said Ya Basta! Enough is enough! As militant indigenous communists who have been able to establish a culture of resistance the Zapatistas are one of the sources we should be learning from. Eagle and condor fly together and we seek control over our own destinies on our own continent, immigration and an end to colonial borders.

Zapatistas continue to inspire indigenous resistance. They have been able to hold their own against the corrupt Mexican government as well as the cartels. Not bad for an army who started out by running into the mountains and carving fake guns out of wood. Respect. Salute. Red Power! Photos by School For Chiapas and Pinterest. Written by the Invisible Warrior Nov. 17 2021