“Mexico, País de Masacres y Genocidios” (Mexico, Land of Massacres and Genocides) read the leaflets that shower the streets of San Cristóbal de las Casas like falling leaves. It is October 2nd, a somber day for Mexican@s–44 years ago, just 10 days before the 1968 Summer Olympics thousands were fired upon while marching through Mexico City to draw attention to government repression. Though official records put the death toll at under a dozen, historians estimate that at least several hundred were murdered that day. (And some say the number is closer to 1,000.) Oh, did I mention that the whole thing was an inside job? Yup. Just ask the government. They’ll tell you.
Today, October 2nd has come to represent state violence and impunity and, every year, protesters all over Mexico unite in solidarity with the students in Tlatelolco to keep the candle of resistence burning. Though I wish I could join them, visa restrictions render me a passionate observer. So, instead I lift my lens and share their story with you–trying to do my small part to stoke the flames.
As the saying goes, la lucha sigue…