Research Assignment: Source 2

Second Source
A.P. Archive. “Mexico: Zapatista Leader Comandante Ramona Joins Student Rally.” Youtube. June 21st,


Three years after the official start of the Zapatista Revolution in 1994, Comandanta Ramona attended and spoke at student protest in Mexico City. The EZLN was highly popular in the 1990s as the organization represented significant pushback towards the government and demanded justice for indigenous communities. Based off of Emiliano Zapata’s principles, the modern EZLN carried the spirit of the Mexican Revolution, strengthening youth participation. Simultaneously, the guerilla warfare style reimagined earlier struggles of Che Guevara. In 1996, students accused the president Ernesto Zedillo of not following through with peace agreements signed a year prior to protect indigenous rights. Due to the modern nature of the EZLN rebellion, the protest and speeches were captured on film while EZLN organizing began to take place on the internet. Hundreds of students march through what appears to be a campus with handmade flags and signs demanding justice and advocating the Zapatista cause. At one point a young man writes graffiti on a public building’s wall about the need for autonomy. Destruction of state property indicates defiance towards oppressive power structures. There is evident tension, yet excitement as Comandanta Ramona attends the gathering. 
Comandanta Ramona appears on video dressed in traditional clothing, donning the black trademark Zapatista mask covering her whole face except her eyes. As her car arrives, activists and students cheer. Later, she sits on stage she holding a bouquet of flowers presented to her. The celebration of Comandanta Ramona indicates a sort of celebrity status for revolutionary figures. Her clothing reinforces her identity as an indgienous woman; while likely more palatable to government officials if she wore more westernized clothes, Comandanta Ramona would not sacrifice her identity in the struggle for reforms. Comandanta Ramona’s speech is not on video, however, she spoke for twenty minutes in her native language. This choice is also significant; like her clothing, choosing to speak a Tzotzil language presents as unapologetically indigenous. Refusing to assimilate to the language of the state is an act of defiance but also a form of representation for the disenfranchised. The video later cuts to armed police officers and guards swarming the venue. Although a peaceful set of talks, police arrived with riot shields and weapons as if anticipating a struggle. The police presence reveals the intensity of state control in the 1990s and the armed relationship between the EZLN. While no riot occurs, the police stand closely behind protesters, reminding them that the state is watching and present.
Source:
A.P. Archive. “Mexico: Zapatista Leader Comandante Ramona Joins Student Rally.” Youtube. June 21st,





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