Zapata, a peasant from the central state of Morelos, was the central leader of Mexico's democratic revolution of 1910-20, leading the fight for a radical land reform. Many peasants and workers look to his revolutionary legacy in their struggles for justice today.

The marchers joined up with members of two sister organizations--the Indian Organization for Human Rights in Oaxaca (OIDHO) and the Civil Defense Committee for the Isthmus (CODECI)--that together make up the statewide group called the Ricardo Flores Magón Indigenous and People's Council of Oaxaca (CIPO-RFM).

Some 13,000 people then marched north to Mexico City, converging with peasant groups from states around the country. They protested the militarization of their areas by the federal army and demanded the lifting of orders of arrest issued against several local leaders and activists: Raúl Gatica, Jaquelín López Almazán, Ricardo Bautista, Dora María Moreno, Guadalupe Ortiz, Irene Mancias, and Pedro Rubén Jiménez.

The 40,000 marchers also protested government cutbacks in funding for townships led by CODEP, CODECI, and OIDHO, and demanded the reinstatement of workers who were fired from these city governments on Jan. 1, 1999, by officials loyal to the ruling Revolutionary Institutional Party (PRI) because of their union membership.

CODEP is an organization founded in 1993 to fight against discrimination by landlords and government officials, against exploitation and corruption, and for improved living conditions. It is made up of more than 300 peasant communities, two transportation unions, three taxi associations, and two other trade unions. It governs six local governments in rural Oaxaca. CODEP has mobilized hundreds of peasants and others over the last several years, and has faced constant repression by the police and other repressive agencies.

Pedro Rubén Jiménez is a member of CODEP's Organization and Mobilization Commission.  
 
 
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