" IT IS BETTER TO DIE ON YOUR FEET

THAN TO LIVE ON YOUR KNEES "

Emiliano Zapata

Was born in the village of San Miguel Anenecuilco in the state of Morelos on the 8th of August 1879. The son of a strong farmer, Zapata grew up to become the most famous leader of the Mexican Revolution. A gifted organizer. Zapata also spoke Nahuatl, his local indigenous language.

Elected leader of his village in 1909. Zapata began recruiting an insurgent army even before the Revolution beginning in 1910 which overthrew the dictator Porfirio Diaz.

Zapatas Liberation Army of the South did not accept the new reformist government under Francisco I. Madero. The Zapatistas fought on against government troops lead by Victoriano Huerta, the general who overthrew Madero in February 1913. and was then deposed in 1914.

At the following Convention in Aguascalientes. called to decide the future of Mexico, the Zapatistas demanded "tierra y libertad", -land and freedom-, for their people. This was the core of Zapata's "Plan de Ayala", produced in November 1911: The lands, forests and water that have been usurped will be immediately restored to the village citizens who have title to them... Because the great majority of Mexicans own nothing more than these properties will be expropriated... so that the villages and citizens of Mexico may obtain ejidos, sites for towns, and fields.

Zapata remained in opposition fighting against terrible repression, until 1919. Lured to a meeting with government troops apparently mutinying against President Carranza, he was gunned down on April the 10th. 1919.

Throughout this century, people all over the world have risen up against oppression, taking heart from Zapata's cry.