Local support for the Cucapá Communities

Since approximately 9000 years ago the Cucapá have lived in the land
adjacent to the Rio Colorado, dedicated fundamentally to fishing. Eighteen
years ago the Mexican federal government began passing laws that made it
nearly impossible for the indigenous Cucapá to live in these lands. In
effect in 1993 the zone was declared an ecological reserve, protected by
the general law of ecological equilibrium.

The rivers near the Cucapá are drying out because of the dams that have
been built on the US side of the Colorado River. Therefore, the current
fishing grounds have become a last resort for their survival. In addition,
in these waters, fishing of any type of marine species has been
prohibited. With the implementation of this decree, the life of the Cucapá
has been gravely affected; putting at risk the existence of the Cucapá as
indigenous people in Baja California.

Today there are only 304 Cucapá left. They face immanent extermination
and now they rely on the support of La Otra Campaña with the purpose of
continuing the only productive activity for self sustainability.
Therefore from February 28, to May 3, 2007, in the immediate surroundings
of the communities of El Mayor and El Zanjón located in the area of “la
Bocana or Delta del Rio Colorado”, the adherents of La Otra Campaña will
install a camp of support for the Cucapá community...

“You are no longer being asked to stand in solidarity with the indigenous
people of Mexico. Now you are being asked to play an integral role in a
bi-national effort that will no longer consist of only resisting but also
helping these communities exist and live as they have for thousands of
years. To help reestablish the networks and relations that existed before
borders separated families and communities, and to help expose these
atrocities to a world that has avoided looking at the price of its excess,
comfort and luxury.” (Taken from El Mayor community report).

Communities in San Diego, Los Angeles and other cities are supporting the
Cucapá community. Locally, in San Diego there has been a consistent effort
from different organizations including: visitations to El Mayor, fund
raising and donations. Some of the upcoming events are: discussion and
film on the Cucapá on Monday, 12, 2007 starting at 6pm at Chicana Perk
organized by La Otra Resistencia Estudiantil. The next event will be a
benefit show on March 31st, 2007 starting at 7pm at the Arts &
Entertainment Center, tickets available before or at the door organized by
the Colectivo Zapatista San Diego. For continuous support please drop off
non-perishable items at Chicana Perk located at 129 25th St. San Diego, CA
92102.

For more information please contact Colectivo Zapatista San Diego at
colectivozapatista@riseup.net or 619-819-7806 or visit
http://www.nomadicsoundsystem.com/cucapa/

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