Chivis Martínez for Borderland Beat-translated by Boli
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We took up arms because we had no other choice, there were only two options:self-defense or sacrifice and humiliation.
Everyone in school learns that the State is comprised of village territory and Government. Here in Michoacán, there are territories, there are people, but there is no Government. So we had to take the decision to defend ourselves with our own means and resources.
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"they called us allies, were advancing together, photos were removed with us, that were seen around the world, in an effort to distort..."
Message for the leaders of the General Council of self-defense forces of Michoacán.Saturday 15th of March 2014.
Brothers and sisters of the Autodefensas:
I am glad that in these difficult moments of our movement we are here reunited.
The Autodefensas of Michoacán was born just over one year ago. It were born of the people, it were born in the communities, formed by courageous citizens who were tired of living at the mercy of murderers and criminals.
Remember that during more than 12 years, we went to pronounce assertions; we went to where one is supposed to go, to the institutions. What resulted was that they would give the whistle (signal) to criminals and he who complained or members of their families were persecuted and killed.
Since the beginning of our movement, we said again and again that we were not against the Government; on the contrary, we are against the lack of Government and justice.
In good faith, we have maintained a responsible dialogue with various officials from the three levels of Government, we have we coordinated with the army, Navy and Federal Police.
We have coordinated in assisting them to do their task.
We should not have needed to take up in arms against organized crime, we should be working in our professions or trades, in our parcels of land, or our business with our families.
The absence of government involvement against the criminals, to the total state of helplessness, that created an existence of a power vacuum; We the people have had no alternative but to organize, overcoming fear, with a firm determination to defend our rights, our families and our land, the right the Constitution of the Republic provides for. (Art. 35 fraction IV)
Everyone in school learns that the State is comprised of village territory and Government. Here in Michoacán, there are territories, there are people, but there is no Government. So we had to take the decision to defend ourselves with our own means and resources.
This type of urgent situations for a population has happened many times throughout the history of the world. But there is no doubt that the document that serves as a modern and democratic example is the Declaration of the rights of man and of the citizen of the French Revolution. This is a historical source of our Mexican law
This statement is designated in Article 2.-"The aim of all political association is the conservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression".
It is prescribed in the Universal Declaration of human rights.
We have lived the oppression under two parts: one by action on the part of the Caballeros Templarios and the other by omission on the part of the Government.
Despite this, oppression develops. We have the right to oppose, we coordinate with the authority and then we sat at their tables, they called us allies, were advancing together, photos were removed with us that were seen around the world in an effort to distort, while trying to convince public opinion that Michoacán was already controlled.
Both publicly and privately they called us valid partners, called us members of the Council of self-defense, investigated us and told us we were honest and reliable people.
They gave some protection, but they wanted one change, silence. When I was injured and convalescent, the Secretary of the Interior publicly exonerated me from any suspicion, (Chong) but when I spoke my opinion they left me lying in bed and at the mercy of murderers.
Is this how friends act? Is this how allies act?
Hipólito Mora, now a prisoner, recognized by all as the founding leader and a friend and ally of the Government, but when pressure was applied there was a breach of all agreements by the Government.
So now they are efficient and have charged Mora with 35 complaints including looting, robbery, extortion and murder. And now they come for us; they want to intimidate us, they want us annihilated.
But not so, Caballeros Templarios rule Michoacán. Everyday life has changed, but worse now the Caballeros Templarios, the Government, the army, Navy and all the police persecute us.
A week ago the Commissioner was sitting at Hipólito side and knew nothing of the allegations; three days later Hipólito is a criminal. How very sad; they are very misguided, what a grand error on their part.
If the imprisonment of the leaders of the Autodefensas or our colleagues addressed the reality of the Michoacán, warmly we would willingly go to jail. Either way, we are condemned to death.
But it is not so. Although the leaders disappear, reality does not change. The Michoacán population, territory, has no Government much less any justice.
That is why brothers and sisters, we’ve been brave, if we know our destination, I summon you to unite and to not give up, or you will pay with your life.
Autodefensas arise by the Republic as a whole, people still desperate with impunity and it is our right and our duty to defend the nation and its institutions, so says the Constitution in articles, 10, 35 fraction IV and 36 fraction II.
It is a right of citizens and is the duty of citizens: take the weapons in the army or National Guard, for the defense of the Republic and of your institutions, in the terms that prescribed laws;
We are defending the Republic and its institutions.
The Government with these actions of repression and ridicule against the Autodefensas forces is exerting power for purposes other than which give reason for being, as is a must have power in interests that are not of us.
It is disremembered, what is said in article 39 of the Constitution: National Sovereignty is essential and firstly in the village.
ALL POWER PUBLIC EMANATES FROM THE PEOPLE AND IS ESTABLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THIS. THE village has at all times the INALIENABLE right to alter or change the shape of their Government
This is so, because Mexico is ours, not of the Government.
This is our State, this is our land, these are our hills, these are our rivers, this is our people, this is our heaven, our parents are buried here and our children were born here.
Mexico is ours!
Yes, we want to legalize, because our movement is constitutional, that’s why we will demand the law of the National Guard, a force of civil, democratic, federal and Republican; as it exists in all democratic countries, as it exists in countries in which cannot kill you with impunity, nor the Government, nor the crime.
We'll make ourselves heard internationally, we ask for the minimum, fundamental rights: right to live, to work, to have a family!
Is this too much to ask? Can we be guaranteed that?
Then do not deny us the right to form Autodefensas.
We are the worthy people rising and defending Michoacán, not all want to be policemen, but we all consider ourselves according to our constitutional law, soldiers of the National Guard!
Brothers and sisters remember: we do not have a return path.
We still have two paths: self-defense or sacrifice.
Mexico is ours!
Viva Mexico!
(the video has the message with Dr Mireles reading the message))