Originally published in Spanish by the Sixth Committee of the EZLN
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Translated by irlandesa

Zapatista Army of National Liberation

Mexico

December 26, 2005

To all the compañeros and compañeras of the “Other”:

To the Committees, Coordinators (or however they are called) which are being formed in each state or region in order to help with the first stage of the EZLN’s Sixth Committee national work

To the Security Committees which have been formed, or are being formed, for the accompaniment and security of SubDelegado Zero during this first stage:

Compañeras and compañeros:

Greetings from our compañeros and compañeras of the “Other.” We are writing you in order to propose some criteria for security at the meetings and activities in which SubDelegado Zero will be participating.

First – It is always better (and more effective) to avoid arrogance and grandstanding. It is not about isolating, but about accompanying and protecting. A security team is effective if it does its work without being noticed. In no way will the EZLN’s Sixth Committee accept any persons on their security team who are of any nationality other than Mexican.

Second – The work of security and accompaniment is avoiding problems due to crowds (in the unlikely event that there are any), preventing (as far as possible) any bad acts by some “anti-otra,” and, most importantly, seeing that SubDelegado Zero does not get lost while going from one place to another (for example, making a “mistake,” with obvious trickery, with the door when going to the bathroom and going into the “ladies” instead of the “gents”).

Third – In the event that the bad governments attempt some repressive measure, do not put up any resistance (especially if there are shots), and step aside. In no way should you put your life or liberty at risk. Always have identification with you and the help of human rights, always maintaining the truth, that is, that you are exercising a legal and legitimate civil right. You will not be violating any law by being next to an individual with a ski-mask and an elegant profile (with the contribution of the tummy).

Fourth – In the event of detention, SubDelegado Zero knows what to do and, above all, what not to do. And so do not worry yourselves by imagining what you will do in such and such a horrible event. The response is: run, take shelter, inform, disseminate, mobilize…send me tobacco.

I am, in advance, not authorizing anyone or any organization to assume, WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT VERBAL AND WRITTEN REQUEST, the legal defense of my person.

Fifth – Neither the EZLN nor its Sixth Committee will be asking for any guarantees from federal, state or municipal officials. We do not expect anything, nor will we ask for anything, from those who have always treated us with contempt and disdain. If any Committee or Coordinator from a state or region decides to request from their respective officials respect for the liberties of meeting, association and movement, which are the prerogatives of any citizen, we are respectfully asking that they do so in their name, not in ours. Even if they threaten us from above or promise us detentions, jails, clandestine cellars or cemeteries, we shall go out to do the work which we committed ourselves to in the Sexta.

Sixth – In the event of any major mishap, public statements or not, and the decisions which our organization will take, are the SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE purview of the top command level of the EZLN.

Seventh – Whatever happens, know that it is an honor, and it shall be, to have you as compañeros and compañeras in struggle.

From the mountains of the Mexican Southeast

SubComandante Insurgente Marcos
SubDelegado Zero of the Sixth Committee of the EZLN

Mexico, December of 2005