People who travel to Chiapas have been almost exclusively white and upper middle-class, those who have the most to gain from the example of the Zapatistas – poor people of color –have been effectively excluded from this direct contact. By hosting delegations to Chiapas, we look to create a space for organizers and activists of color to allow for this important interaction to take place. The purpose of our delegations is also to bring together organizers and activists of color to interchange ideas and experiences, amplifying our perspectives by placing our struggles within a larger context.

We consider that the uniqueness of the Zapatista movement is its capacity to formulate and implement strategies that effectively counter the daunting obstacles they are faced with. Therefore, through the process of dialogue, the delegations also provide a unique opportunity for delegates to gain alternative strategies and ideas for organizing. The delegations are for activists of color and require that potential participants demonstrate their current involvement in social struggles involving communities of color. We work towards gender and ethnic parity and practice an affirmative action policy towards women and ethnicities not currently involved. We seek participation of people from a variety of viewpoints, with a variety of levels of political development. We hope that delegates will be inspired enough by the relevant aspects of Zapatismo, to commit to collaborating across ethnic lines in their home communities and create the radical change that our communities so need.

Since its inception, Estacion Libre has organized 16 delegations of people of color to meet and dialogue with communities in resistance in Chiapas. Delegations have included students, teachers, and community organizers aged 18-56 years old, from various cities in the US and Canada. We have also hosted groups organizing their own delegations and projects. Delegates receive a comprehensive orientation on the situation in Chiapas and visit a number of indigenous communities where they learn first hand about the Zapatista struggle and the repression people face in this context.