The delegation will:

-- Provide an international presence in communities that are under threat by paramilitary groups, putting the paramilitaries on notice that the communities can count on international support.

-- Meet with activists and organizers to discuss 10 years of resistance to neoliberalism in Chiapas and around the world.

-- Develop strategies to deepen solidarity work in the United States, and organizing against the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and Plan Pueblo Panama, a corporate development scheme promoted by the Fox administration. Delegates will meet with sister organizations in Chiapas to discuss medium and long term strategies for international solidarity work.

Scholarships are available, with strong preference for youth of color under the age of 30. You can apply for a scholarship on-line by completing both the scholarship and delegation application at www.mexicosolidarity.org.

Schedule:

March 13: Travel to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. Evening orientation and reflection.

March 14: Meetings with members of human rights organizations, environmental groups, economic and political analysts. Background orientation on the current situation in Chiapas.

March 15-19: Travel to threatened autonomous Zapatista communities.

March 20: Further meetings with members of human rights organizations. Debriefing/reflection.

March 21: Depart for home.

The cost of the delegation is $450, covering ground transportation within Chiapas, meals in the communities, hotels, translation, background materials, and program. Delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements to Chiapas. Most delegates will fly to Mexico City, then either catch a public bus (about $160 round trip to San Cristobal) or a connecting flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez (about $275 round trip).†Those who fly to Tuxtla will be provided ground transportation to San Cristobal. It is also possible to fly into Cancun and take a public bus to San Cristobal (about 20 hours), which could potentially be less expensive given spring break discounts.

To reserve a space on the delegation, please complete the application and return it with a $100 deposit to Mexico Solidarity Network, 4834 N. Springfield, Chicago, IL 60625.

For more information contact the Mexico Solidarity Network at msn (at) mexicosolidarity.org or the Chiapas Peace House at info (at) uupeacehouse.org.

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