Autonomous Zapatista Warehouse Opens August 30, 2005

Mary Ann Tenuto

At the time the Zapatistas rose up in arms against the “bad government,” coyotes (traveling salespeople) roamed the Ocosingo Canyons price-gouging the campesinos. As the civilian Zapatista movement organized itself into autonomous counties, one of its economic priorities was to eliminate the coyotes . Collectively operated grocery stores were constructed in most communities.

What the autonomous communities soon learned is that the community stores did not have the space, funds, or ability to purchase in large quantities at reduced prices and were thus at the mercy of a different middleman, the small retailer. This understanding led to a proposal for 10 regional grocery warehouses throughout Zapatista territory.A warehouse permits buying in large quantities at wholesale prices. Resale to the community stores at a small profit would generate funds for the county council to use for its expenses: gas, supplies for keeping records, school supplies, etc. The community stores would still save its residents money because they would not have to purchase through a middleman or pay for a trip to the city. Prices in the community stores are lower than those of the coyotes and save travel expenses. Stock in both the regional warehouses and the community stores is replenished through sales. All work performed by the warehouse workers is collective work; that is, unpaid work. Their labor is a contribution to their autonomous county.

An autonomous authority explained the importance of the community stores with the following example: “A kilo of sugar costs 6 or 7 pesos. It costs another 7 pesos to go to Ocosingo. The community store saves people the cost of travel if they only need a few things.”

Warehouse Projects include the expense of constructing or remodeling a building, the cost of professional training for the storekeepers, the purchase of equipment, as well as purchasing the initial supply of groceries. Those warehouses which have been completed are successful and have eliminated the coyotes and have generated funds for the councils. They are helping to create an autonomous economy.

In October 2002, the Chiapas Support Committee established an “hermanamiento” (sister relationship) with San Manuel County, a county in the autonomous region governed by the Good Government Junta located in the Caracol of Francisco Gómez (aka La Garrucha). San Manuel is located in the canyons east of the city of Ocosingo. The region is known as “las Cañadas” (the Canyons) and is one of the many regions of Chiapas blessed with abundant natural beauty. Aquifers, rivers, natural springs, forest, jungle, mountains, rolling hills and fertile land can all be found in San Manuel. The mighty Jataté River runs through a large part of the county. The Jataté has a combination of rapids suitable for white water rafting and quiet water for swimming and fishing. The majority of San Manuel’s residents are Tzeltal-speaking Maya, although some Tzotzil speakers migrated there after the Acteal Massacre in December of 1997.

On our first visit to San Manuel County to establish the hermanamiento we were asked to contribute one-half of the economic support for the Nuevo Arena Warehouse project. We visited the proposed site of the warehouse in the community of Nuevo Arena, located atop a hill overlooking a vast expanse of land. Nuevo Arena used to be a finca (estate). The owner abandoned his estate many years ago. The estate owner’s house was remodeled to accommodate the warehouse. After almost three years, the warehouse will open on August 30, 2005. An inauguration celebration is planned and two members of the Chiapas Support Committee will attend.

The total cost of this project was over $50,000.00. It was divided half and half between the Chiapas Support Committee and an Italian organization, Mani Tese. San Manuel donated the space and the labor. The Chiapas Support Committee obtained one-half of its funding from the Atkinson Foundation and the Rick Foundation Fund at the Humboldt Area Foundation. We thank them again for their generous support. We raised the other half of our share through individual contributions and public events, including our January 1, 2004 New Years Eve Party to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Zapatista Uprising. Many thanks to all of you on our lists who have contributed to our fundraising for making this project possible.

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Chiapas Support Committee

P.O. Box 3421

Oakland, CA 94609

Tel: (510) 654-9587

email: cezmat@igc.org

www.chiapas-support.org