Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) in Chiapas, Mexico during the 1994 uprising against the Mexican government.
The Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional came into public view in 1994 when they released their Revolutionary Laws, declaring war against the Mexican government. Taking their name from Mexican Revolution hero Emiliano Zapata, the EZLN stands for indigenous rights, women’s rights, and workers/peasants rights. Led by spokespeople such as Subcomandante Marcos, Comandante Ramona, and Subcomandante Elisa, they espouse an ideology that combines traditional Mayan beliefs with Marxism and anarchism. They denounce economic globalization and neo-liberalism (most notably Mexico’s role in NAFTA), citing threats towards indigenous and peasant lifestyle and livelihood.
EZLN slogan: “Para todos todo, para nosotros nada” (For everyone, everything. For us, nothing)
