From: jake lake <jakelake20@hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2021 12:29:24 PM To: Sally Wood <salwood82@gmail.com>; scruffylittlevera@hotmail.co.uk <scruffylittlevera@hotmail.co.uk>; peashooter@eastoncowfolk.org.uk <peashooter@eastoncowfolk.org.uk> Subject: ZAPATISTA CROWDFUNDER
Sisters, brothers, hermanoas: Compañeras, compañeros and compañeroas:
It is with great joy, excitement and hope that we share with you the news of the journey of the Zapatistas to Europe.
On October 2020, the Zapatistas announced their ‘planetary journey’ to the five continents. In May 2021, seven Mayan indigenous people (4 women, 2 men and 1 non-binary person) who are part of the Zapatista communities set off on a sailing boat across the Atlantic on an “invasion” to Europe to mark 500 years since colonisation. The first group, the Squad 421, arrived in The Azores, Portugal, on June 13th, and is now on route to Spain. Plans of their journey across Europe and the arrival of a larger delegation will be announced soon. Among other countries, the Zapatista delegation plans to arrive in the wrongly called United Kingdom. Collectives and compas from different cities, towns and regions are coming together to receive them in the islands and we call everyone to join us in this historic time to listen, share and learn about diverse resistances and struggles for another world where there is room for everyone [todas, todos, todoas].
This “Journey for Life” represents a historical moment, one filled with significance and importance for decolonial movements, indigenous rights, and the potential for European movements and grassroots organisations to learn from the Zapatista experience in autonomy and dignity, persevered against overwhelming odds for over a quarter century. The Zapatistas have spoken about their planetary journey as one that will bring together struggles, people and worldviews. We have been invited to meet and exchange experiences about our struggles against colonialism, the fight against patriarchal capitalism, gender violence, racism, and for the protection of land and natural resources.
We have set up a crowdfunder to support the Zapatistas on their journey to and travels within the "UK", so as many people as possible have the opportunity to meet the Zapatistas, learn about indigenous resistance, and discuss what we in Europe can do to create a fairer, better and more ecological world. The collected money will be used for: paying travel expenses (including accommodation and food), covering COVID-related cost to keep the delegation safe and supporting the compas on their trip to other geographies. Any money which is left unused will be donated to the Zapatista communities (Caracoles) in Chiapas, Mexico.
Please take a moment to visit the crowdfunder page with the full information. Any donation counts and the first hours of the campaign are critical to reach a broader audience and gather support for the delegation!:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/zapatista-solidarity-network
You will notice that you can choose to make your donation in exchange for a reward if you wish. We have amazing products from books, posters, postcards, embroidered blouses. Your support is invaluable for us and we are deeply grateful for it! Please share it with your contacts and spread the word!