PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Resisting the War in Mexico
by Erok Alrededor Sunday, Mar. 23, 2003 at 1:45 AM
erokore@hotmail.com (email address validated)

Mexican citizens mobilize in Mexico city aganst the war on Iraq, and spontaneously form an independant media outlet in Cuernavaca.

Relaxing in the sun, surrounded by lush tropical plants and the excitement and energy of a Mexican Zocolo is hardly the place one wants to be told that their president has decided to proceed with his war plans.  As soon as the anouncement was made over the loud speaker that Sr. George Bush's speech was going to be broadcast live so that all could hear, I already knew what was going to be said.  A child held the microphone up to a television set as we sat intently listening to George's faint ramblings under the blaring voice of his translater.  My excitement over such a public display of communication, contrary to the impersonal media that i'm used to in the states, wasn't enough to negate my frustration and disappointment of it's content. His speech had been predicted over four months ago, but it still managed to leave the crowd solemn and caught in an awkward state of silence. Afterwards, the people decided to sieze the opportunity of the microphone and held a spontaneous forum so that they could discuss and share their thought on the impending war and how it affects them as Mexicans, and as the US's southern neighbors. At this point, the crowd, now consisting of men in Mariachi gear and others holding bad replicas of Aztec artistry, began to grow.  The conversation swung fron the ridiculousness of US unilateralism and bully-like tendancies, to the fence sitting of thier own president, Vicente Fox, who at this point, was still incapable of going public with Mexico's "official" stance on the war.  Aside fro the numerous points for a peaceful solution in Iraq, the overall themw of the speeches was Bush's unwillingness to listen to the millions of people worldwide who have already staged a resistance against this war. Never has a war been so unanimously unpopular on a worlwide scale, especially one that hadn{t even started yet.  Only two days before, thousands had mobilized in Mexico City for the Second International Day against the war in Iraq. The march commenced from the main Zocalo in the capital and continued on the the US embassy, where the masses gathered to express their disdain. American businesses were tagged, along with the sidewalks in front of the embassy with anti war slogans. After some time, the people became restless as their demands were only met by a twelve foot fence and faceless riot police that surrounded the embassy. Between the burning of at least six US flags, some protesters managed to break open a portion of the fence, initiating a shower of rocks, that happened to be conveniently piled in front of the embassy due to construction. If anything, these actions are an indication of the anti-american sentiment that is festering throughout the world, something of which this war will not prevent, only increase, along with the possibility of future attacks on US soil. None of this seened to affect either Bush or Fox, the latter of whose speece concerning Bush's declaration, was about to be broadcast to the people in the Cuernavaca plaza. Fox's speech, disappointed most that were present, and was as predictible as Bush's in that he still has not taken a firm stance either in favor or against the war. Filled with contradictions, like he is for peace, and that Mexico is a nation of pacifists, yet will still support the US's decision. His statements convinced no one, leaving them with a feeling that either their president is spineless, or something is preventing him from saying what he would really like. Despite the depresesing news, the night ended on a note of hope, as discussions continued, broadcasting into the plaza the plans for thaking th struggle to the next level, inviting all to join in the resistance against imperialism.

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