It has been said every 100 years Mexico revolts and uprise against chains that bind. In 1810 Mexico revolted against Spain and won Independence. In 1910 Mexico fought for independence against the dictator-like President Porfirio Diaz. Fast forward to the present, 2010, 200 years after their first revolution, and the signs are undeniable: Mexico is once again beginning to stir.
The wants and needs of the Mexican people in 2010 remain the same as in 1810 and 1910. In one revolution we fought to be freed from Spain, in another from dictatorship, social and economic injustices, and now in 2010, we seek freedom from the drug cartels and corrupt officials who threaten our very existence.
The differences between now and then are vast and will mark in which way our country evolves. Drug related violence along the border has recently captured international media attention. Sadly, at the same time, our media networks have been silenced.
The loss of personal security combined with government cover ups and the manipulation of media outlets has created an awakening. Citizens, with the help of social networks, have taken it upon themselves to create internet forums. These forums are aimed at revealing the truth, possible threats, and security risks for all those in need. They have become anonymous guardians and have succeeded in saving countless lives by providing real time information of events and lending a voice to those who have been silenced.
Over the past two months the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon have become battlefields for two warring mega-cartels. Innocent families have been caught in grenade attacks, high powered .50 caliber/AR-15/and AK-47 shootouts, narco roadblocks, and kidnappings.
Two weeks ago in ElNorte.com, Frontera al Rojo Vivo, forum citizens from the small town of Comales, Tamaulipas made a cry for help from their neighbors in Nuevo Leon. The entire town had been held captive since February 25, 2010. Nobody entered, nobody exited, with exception to those authorized by their narco-wardens.
Por: ESTO LO ESCRIBE ALGUIEN DE COMALES TAM
REYNOSA | 12/Abr/10We are asking for help from people who are reading this just to let you know, please we beg you to help us. We are held against our will in Comales. They do not let us leave. God, what can we do, help us, I beg you with tears in my eyes, for God’s sake…there is no law here, there is nothing, everything is under their control even gas and food, there is no work, school; stores are closed, everything is just for them. I know about ill people in their houses, there are no doctors….but there is not a way out, not even to Camargo to look for a doctor. We are dying little by little…I do not know what we are going to do. I do this not for myself, but for my children and for the many other children and innocent here in town. I repeat, we are going to die or they are going to kill us…I hope you can help me. I will be eternally grateful.
Por: COMALES
Less than 24 hours later after this cry for help had been posted, Comales, Tamaulipas was free; the Mexican Army, had been alerted by anonymous cyber-guardians.
The next day, in the same internet forum, messages of gratitude were being posted by the citizens of Comales. In these messages, Comales thanked many, but sought especially to thank a person named, Melissa Lotzer and other citizens within Mexico nueva Revolucion.
The same day, I found an open letter to President Felipe Calderon on Borderland Beat.
Open Letter
C. Lic. Felipe Calderon
President of MexicoDear Mr. President,
We are a group on Facebook called Mexico New Revolution. This group was born as a link of communication among Mexicans due to lack of information by the media about the current violence and the fighting against organized crime that is happening in our country.We neither support nor reject any criminal organization. We are informed of some dangerous situations even before the media or the authorities report it.
We get advice on how to react when there is a friendly fire or involuntary participation in any of the acts by the organized crime. We have people from Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Texas and other states. Our participation is under complete anonymity due to the purpose of the group.
First, we want to demonstrate our unconditional support in the fight against drug trafficking and the organized crime. We urge you to maintain the members of SEDENA (Mexican Army) and SEMAR(Mexican Marines) on the streets of our country because we consider they are the only ones defending us in this fight.
Likewise, we express our concern about the serious situation in which the town of Comales, Tamaulipas is going through right now.
People from such place have been sending desperate pleas to the different social network sites, reflecting the insecurity of the situation they say they are living since February 23rd. In such messages they say that the town is practically been held against their will by the organized crime without been able to neither leave nor enter freely and lacking of basic services and goods, medicine, medical attention; putting great risk to the health and welfare of the people.
Apparently, an equally grave situation occurred this morning in Camargo, Tamaulipas where the inhabitants reported the burning of houses, businesses as well as public buildings.
We cannot sit idly by doing nothing listening to these pleas from our countrymen who have the misfortune of being innocent victims of this war. Due to the gravity of the situation we ask to intervene as soon as possible on behalf of those who are suffering and to avoid further tragic events.
Attached you will find some of the comments written by people in the affected area in their own words and how they appeared within the social networks. We also are including a link to Proceso the only media outlet at the moment that has reported on the situation.
We are hoping that you listen to our petition and you have our support and admiration.
Mexico New Revolution
I recently had the privilege of interviewing one of these anonymous cyber-guardians. Via internet and proxy servers, Ms. Melissa Lotzer, founder of Mexico Nueva Revolucion, agreed to share a glimpse of her thoughts, concerns, and life as a new Mexican revolutionist.
What made you create Mexico New Revolution?
M.L.: Mexico nueva Revolucion:
I created this group because I saw the desperation of the people, they wanted to do something. Suddenly I saw that there were too many people absolutely convinced to do something immediately, but without a leader, without a base, without some link or safety room where they can express their ideas to solve this situation. And I knew that I needed to get them together on a safe, external, and Non-Mexican server based platform so they can feel comfortable to post what ever they’ve been through. And I thought that Facebook platform cannot be bought, hacked or cracked by the organized crime. The first week, came the urgency to create an organized news network so we can get the info fast and I created our Twitter, so we can share our ideas in a well organized way. I created our exclusive chat per state, so we can have group meetings and then I create a general Chat. So we can publish the most important news daily per state, so I create our wordpress blogs, I then realize that many people wanted to enter to the group but have problems on finding it on Facebook, so I created our Facebook Official Fan Page.
How has creating MNR changed your life?
M.L., Mexico nueva Revolucion:
I sleep at 2am or 3am daily, I have no social life now. I’m fully dedicated to this work because I can see that we give hope to many people that stopped believing a long time ago… now they are believing because of me. It’s a huge responsibility and I can’t just stay static. I live with fair. That is true. I live alert. I have to look around and try to detect if I’m safe. I use daily the tips that we get from all the people of the group.
What do you see the outcome being in Mexico’s ‘war against drugs?’
M.L., Mexico nueva Revolucion
I think that all of this is JUST the beginning. We have to be prepared for worst. We need to be united. We have to pray and deliver our lives to God every morning and every night so he can protect us. If there is something that we can do, it is pray, have faith and to beleive that we can make change.
If one knows what one wants, recognizes one’s own strengths, moves forward decisively, takes on challenges and conducts oneself with determination and confidence, then one can inspire others and lead them forward. I can do all of this. And I’m doing it.
I, personally, have never been pro-war. Anarchy and arms will not cure social, political, or economic ills. Revolutions, historically, have proven to eliminate symptoms, seldom have they cured a country’s ‘disease’.
History forgotten is History repeated. It seems after each revolution, when the fight has been won, we Mexicans return to our sweet slumber and forget our past battles.
As a new revolution sets on the horizon, I feel this may be our last; Mexico is uniting, Mexico is awakening.
Please visit Mexico nueva Revolucion at:
http://mexiconuevarevolucion.wordpress.com/
http://apps.facebook.com/webaddress/groups/mexiconuevarevolucion/
