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MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2002

Mexican President Vicente Fox supported anti-Columbus Day rallies throughout his country, calling it a day of healing for indigenous people.

October 12 is known as Dia de La Raza or "Day of the People" in Mexico. Protests were held in Chiapas, a heavily-populated Indian area in the south but also in the capital of Mexico City where a reported 10,000 demonstrated.

Fox was in the southern state of Tabasco where he said: "As a nation, Mexico owes an enormous debt to the indigenous peoples and communities." He said Indian people have turned October 12 into a day to reclaim their dignity, identity, culture and history.

Fox has reached out to Indian communities but a bill to recognize Indian rights has not been supported by Native leaders, particularly those in Chiapas.

Indian leaders and activists also view his plans to develop and revitalize the southern region with suspicion and potentially destructive to Native culture.

Get the Story:
Fox: Oct. 12 commemorates recovery of Indian heritage (The News Mexico 10/14)

Read Fox's Speech [in Spanish]:
October 12: Day of Recovery for Native people (10/12)

Relevant Links:
Zapatista National Liberation Army (In Spanish) - http://www.ezln.org
Zapatista Mexico City Site (In Spanish) - http://www.ezlnaldf.org/index.php
The San Andrés Accords - http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/mexico/SanAndres.html

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