CETEG

"Coordinadora Estatal de Trabajadores de la Educación en Guerrero"

Guerrero State Education Workers Coordinating Committee.

This independent workers union finished yesterday a three month walkout. Just like the Zapatistas almost a hundred years ago, they went to protest, because they didn't want to change.

John Womack, a Harvard historian looked into the Zapatista Movement of 1910-1920. They were Mexicans that had lived here for over five thousand years. When Porfirio Díaz; another progress oriented indian from Oaxaca, took power for thirty years to change Mexico, he failed.

Now Zeferino Torreblanca Galindo, Governor of Guerrero, also conceded defeat yesterday. His plan to modernize education will have to wait at least seven months. In Mexico, wait seven months means: forget it.

I walked through the streets of Chilpancingo on Saturday, right there in front of the Chamber of Representatives, I could see hundreds of poor people literally living outdoors, to express their dissatisfaction, with the Government's plan. I could hear them talking in their own languages; there are several Mexicos and they don't talk to each other.

I ended up in a luxurious empty mall. I really don't know which way this country is taking. It is clear that the old rulers cannot make ALL Mexico change.

I'll keep you posted.