66 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
66 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
**Villa de** **Zaachila** is a small town in [Oaxaca,
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Mexico](United_Mexican_States "wikilink") which has been run via
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[popular assemblies](Democratic_Assembly "wikilink") since
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[2006](Timeline_of_Libertarian_Socialism_in_Central_America "wikilink").
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However, the existing government still remains, making it an example of
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[dual power](Dual_Power "wikilink").
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## Background
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[Environmentalist groups](Environmentalism "wikilink") in the town had
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been struggling against the construction of a Coca Cola factory which
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would've destroyed much of the towns [water supply](Water "wikilink")
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for years. This formed a strong network of activists and sense of
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community among town citizens.
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## Revolution
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During the [Oaxaca Revolution](Oaxaca_Revolution "wikilink"), many
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residents met at the towns church (called by ringing bells) and
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discussed the news of police brutality and what their town should do.
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They eventually agreed to take over the town hall, kicking out the mayor
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and using unlocked offices and hallways. Out of this, a tradition of
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popular assembly was born.
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## Decision-Making
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According to an anonymous activist and citizen of the town, decisions
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are made using democratic assemblies:
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> We’d say, “It’s the neighborhood of La Soledad’s turn and tomorrow
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> it’s up to San Jacinto.” That’s how the neighborhood assemblies were
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> first used, and then later they turned into decision-making bodies,
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> which is where we are now. The seizing of the municipal building was
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> totally spontaneous. The activists from before played a role and
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> initially directed things, but the popular assembly structure was
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> developed little by little...Neighborhood assemblies, comprised of a
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> rotating body of five people, were also formed in each section of town
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> and together they would form the permanent popular assembly, the
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> People’s Council of Zaachila. The people from neighborhood assemblies
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> may not be activists at all, but little by little, as they follow
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> their obligation to bring information back and forth from the Council,
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> they develop their capacity for leadership. All the agreements made in
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> the Council are studied by these five people and then brought back to
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> the neighborhoods for review. These assemblies are completely open;
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> anyone can attend and have their voice heard. Decisions always go to a
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> general vote, and all the adults present can vote. For example, if
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> some people think a bridge needs to be built, and others think we need
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> to focus on improving electricity, we vote on what the priority should
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> be. The simple majority wins,fifty percent plus one.
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The townsfolk kicked out the mayor while maintaining public services,
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and also established a community radio station.
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## See Also
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- [Oaxaca Revolution](Oaxaca_Revolution "wikilink")
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- [CIPO-RFM](CIPO-RFM "wikilink")
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- [Cherán](Cherán "wikilink")
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- [Rebel Zapatista Autonomous
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Municipalities](Rebel_Zapatista_Autonomous_Municipalities "wikilink")
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## References
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- [Diana Denham](Diana_Denham "wikilink") (2008) [Teaching Rebellion:
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Stories from the Grassroots Mobilization in
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Oaxaca](Teaching_Rebellion:_Stories_from_the_Grassroots_Mobilization_in_Oaxaca "wikilink") |