Argel Acuña comes from the central state of Michoacán—a hotspot for Mexico’s raging drug war. Along with a few hundred other young people from throughout the country, he traveled to Cuernavaca last weekend for a conference whose name explains the urgency of the call: “Youth in the National Emergency.”
“The idea of this forum is to come together on the national level and demand that this situation of insecurity be reversed,” Argel explains. He notes that social organizations in Michacan are getting involved after seeing the way militarization has affected their activities and daily life. Section 18 of the teachers’ movement will be participating in the mobilizations this weekend, along with other organizations.
The April 29 youth meeting was an important preparatory step for the demonstrations this weekend. Julian Contreras of Villas de Salvarcar, Ciudad Juarez, explained to the Americas Program that the idea is to find common ground and set aside differences, to be able to build a broad popular base among youth, but with clear demands. We have our differences, he notes, but we know how to work together on what we agree on.
The strategy of unity in diversity is one that the Mexican left has had trouble with in the past. But this youth gathering is a far cry from the traditional party formations. Discussions are open and respectful, sophisticated in their political analysis and passionate in their personal commitments.
The final declaration of the meeting goes beyond most documents prepared so far in the movement against violence. The youth call for immediate demilitarization, for the army to return to its barracks, for a social pact among civil society and for a full discussion on drug decriminalization.
See the full declaration here.
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