On this day in 1994, 22 years ago, the Zapatista Army for National Liberation made their cause known to the Mexican government and the world. One of the most beloved leaders of the movement, Comandante Ramona, is said to have been a petite woman who shouldered huge responsibilities. Suffering health problems related to kidney failure, Ramona passed away in 2006. The movement that she helped to start, continues.
This portrait of Ramona is by Jesus Barraza and is included in the Justseeds collective book Firebrands: Portraits from the Americas.
La Autonomía es la Vida, la Sumisión es la Muerte is a portfolio of prints in solidarity with the Zapatista movement and includes Justseeds artists.
“Our hope is that one day our situation will change, that we woman will be treated with respect, justice and democracy.”
– Comandante Ramona (1959 –2006), Tzotzil Indigenous woman, Zapatista activist in Chiapas, Mexico.
