CPTNet
February 17, 2001
CHIAPAS: CPTERS VIGIL OUTSIDE SAN CRISTOBAL PRISON

        On the afternoon of January 30, three CPTers and two friends from
the U.S. lit 100 white candles outside the gates of a prison where ten
political prisoners are incarcerated. The five traveled to the prison,
located about twenty minutes outside the city of San Cristobal de Las Casas,
to
pray for political prisoners in Chiapas and throughout the world. As they
were beginning, five guards from the prison came out to find out what was
happening. The CPTers were pleasantly surprised when the guards accepted an
invitation
from the CPTers to join the prayer circle. One of the guards proclaimed the
gospel while another led a litany focused on the release of political
prisoners and on peace in Chiapas.

The group of ten gave thanks for the recent release of a number of
political prisoners by Pablo Salazar, the new governor of Chiapas, and
prayed that Mexican President Vincente Fox would take similar steps soon in
regard to federal prisoners. CPTers and the guards spoke out loud the
names of people who have struggled for justice and suffered because of
their commitment. Prayers were also raised for all those who are in jail
for any reason and their families, for those enchained by conditions of
poverty and oppression, and for a transformed society without violence. At
the conclusion of the time of prayer the CPTers decided to leave the
candles positioned on several rock outcroppings near the highway as a sign
of hope and liberation.

        January 30 has been declared the International Day of Nonviolent
Action, commemorating the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi in
1948. Gandhi, who led the people of India in a non-violent struggle for
justice, was incarcerated many times for his work and died at the hands of
an assassin. The CPT vigil was held simultaneously with a Mexico City
action sponsored by the Mexican peace group, SERPAJ (Servicio Paz
y Justicia) and students of the UNAM (the National Autonomous University of
Mexico.) The Mexico City event advocated the release of political
prisoners as a necessary step in the progress toward peace in Chiapas.

        CPTers participating in the San Cristobal vigil were Claire Evans
(Chicago, IL), Scott Kerr (Downers Grove, IL), and William Payne (Toronto,
ON).