Dia Del Nino y De La Nina Tour

Chiapas, April 24-May 1, 1998

By Moshe Cohen

Participants: Moshe Cohen/Mister Yoowho

Itinerary

Overview

Here is a not so brief report of my Clowns Without Borders expedition to the troubled state of Chiapas in the very south of Mexico where tensions and conflict continue. This is my fourth trip to the area in three years to perform for the children of the many indiginous communities in the region. My expedition follows that of the Circos de Manos in December (13 women and a child from the US in a schoolbus-18 shows in 18 days) and that organized by the Saltimbanqui in Mexico City ( a ten person expedition in March). Unlike last year where I was able to travel extensively and perform in quite a variety of communities and towns, this year I stayed close to San Cristobal, mainly to avoid the threat of being expulsed by the immigration authorities. The 'migri' has greatly expanded their presence in Chiapas and are very actively trying to expulse as many foreigners as possible. It seemed unreasonable to me that they would see a clown as a threat to national security but I was not about to argue.
I am glad to say that the dreaded encounter with the 'migri' never took place. I am sorry to say that since my last visit there has been an explosion of displaced communities, thus internal refugees, and I did not need to travel very far to find a lot of people in need of some laughter release. The shows were all wonderful ranging from an intimate show for a very small community in their 'salon' (community hall in Coralito) to using an entire basketball court as my stage and playing to a terrassed hillside ampitheater full of people (Polho). Mister YooWho was very well received and laughter was quite generous. I based my show on one word "Tzotz" which means strong in Tzotzil and used the word liberally and often. Generally I would comment "Tzotz" following some nerdish move or before running scared from frightened dogs, small children and larger strong men. As has happened in the past, the most effective humor was based on human interaction, simple slapstick and the unexpected. Repeating jokes on latecomers( such as dissappearing a stack of coins then sneezing them out my nose) brougt howls of laughter from the rest of the audience.

As in the past my performances were fasciltated by Palbo Romo from the Centro Derechos Humanos Frey Bartolome and Alejandra Alvarez from Tadas and Seva. My main support came from the organization Melel Xojoloval, a new branch of the Human Rights Center, created to work with street children and children from displaced communities. A wondrful byproduct of this collaboration was that most of my shows were followed by joy and glee as the kids pummeled at numerous pinatas and munched on candies provided by Melel. My many thanks go out to this group, as well as Pablo Romo and to Alejandra and her family(Pedro, Maru and Indira) who not only housed and fed me but provided me with a sense of home.

I am glad to have contributed some positive infusion of spirit into the region and I can only say that a great great deal more is needed.

The Situation

It is very difficult to feel optimistic about the situation in Chiapas at this time. Compared to my visit last October and following the massacre in Acteal Abejas in December, the tensions in the region have escalated sharply. The low intensity war by the Mexican government continues at an increased pace. There are some estimated 30 000 army troops in Chiapas now and I am not sure if this number includes the blue jumpsuited Public Security troops of whom I saw many truckfulls patrolling during my short stay in Chiapas. The army has set up many command posts inside and outside communities and in remote areas as well. Paramilitary activity continues unabated and many communities have left their fearful of more Acteal type actions. The numbers of refugees in Polho is estimated to be between 8 and 10 thousand. The Mexican government and their office of immigration is actively trying to expulse as many forein human rights workers and observers as possible. Some 33 have been officially expulsed and a much larger number have been 'invited' to leave.

This campaign against foreigners is backfiring to some degree as many more young foreigners are coming into Chiapas to volunteer to stafff the 'Campamentos Civils por la Paz'. My stay in St Cristobal coincided with the arrival of the Pastors for Peace caravan (I saw two schoolbuses and a truck). They brought in food and medicine for the displaced communities. Even though they were armed with official 'human rights observer' visas (and not simple tourist visas like myself), the army turned back their convoy on the way to Acteal Abejas (where the massacre occured)-one cannot argue with machine guns.

The large divide between communities and community members favoring the ruling party (PRI) and those favoring the Zapatistas and the oppostion (PRD) or neutral parties (Abejas) continues to be the main focus of tension with the military stepping to favor guess which side. The government continues to bring all kinds of social educational and other aide to the PRI communities while ignoring the nees of the rest. The weather patterns in Chiapas continue to be abnormal with no spring rains as of yet and unusually hot temperatures in the mountains. There is fear that due to El NIno/Global Warming the rains might not come as usual for planting season (mid-may). fear of paramilitary activity might also afffect community members willingness or ability to plant. Any resulting food shortages will greatly favor the ruling parties strategies.
The latest phenomenon was the army and security police's invasion of the community of Taniperlas when they tried to declare a new autonomous Zapatista zone. This occured before my arrival and received international media exposure as 12 foreigners were explused accused of actively participating in a political action (forbidden by the constitution). As I understand it they were sleeping when the military action took place. During my stay I saw newspaper photographs of Tanniperlas which is literally in a state of siege. The photographs showed many well equipped army officers in front of a barrier of very large extended rolls of barbged wire. The comunity members were unable to retuirn to their homes(which had been looted) blocked out by the army. A three thousand strong caravan had marched to Tanniperlas to try to force open the gates but as far as I understand they were unsuccessful.

President Zedillo came to Chipas for a two day visit during which he asked the Zapatistas to make their demands known and that he was ready to negotiate. He promised that the conflict will be resolved this year without a war. The next day (May 1st) another community was surrounded and invaded by some 1250 troops and 43 were arrested. There was no reason other than there was supposedly an arrest warrant out for one community member. I read this on an internet report upon my return. This event did not as far as I know reach the international media, as no foreigners were involved or expulsed. During my stay some 5000 communitiy members from all over Chiapas took part in a pilgrimage to San Cristobal de las Casas for an open air mass in front of the cathedral where many speeches were made and many prayed for peace.

Reports

March 2005