THE MEXICO SUPPORT GROUP'S LITERATURE TABLE
Numerous organizations, representing a diverse range of radical and revolutionary causes, distributed and sold books and pamphlets in the first-floor entrance hall. Some showed videotapes. One conference organizer and photographer displayed her framed photographic prints from travels and work in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas throughout the meeting rooms. The entrance hall also became the scene of many informal political meetings and discussions.

A 'WORKSHOP' IN SESSION
There were eight workshops in all, two in the morning and two in the afternoon of each day of the Conference. The workshops generally started with the introduction of a topic, which the whole group discussed for half an hour. Then participants then split into smaller discussion groups to try to talk concretely about the issues. Finally, the workshop reassembled and every discussion group reported on the results of its meeting. Some workshops became so involved in discussion that they demanded more time -- and occasionally the debate became heated! However, almost everyone thought the discussions at the Conference were interesting and useful.

VEGGIES OF NOTTINGHAM SERVING VEGAN FOOD
Veggies served vegan food (free of any animal products) during the two days of the Conference. They provided full and delicious lunches for the 200 participants and snacks throughout both days. Veggies is a collective which will cater for activist events. Interested groups should send e. mail to <veggies@innotts.co.uk>.

A WORKER ON STRIKE AGAINST MAGNET KITCHENS ADDRESSING THE WORKSHOP
One of the most energetic and inspiring presentations of the Conference was given by representatives of the strikers against the Magnet Kitchens company. The discussion that followed dealt with how workers can organize effectively in this neoliberal era of 'flexible' job markets, anti-union laws and policies, and trade unions which sell their protesting members out. (Witness the Merseyside dockers.) It also covered aspects of building a 'network' of such struggles -- bringing the concept of the Encuentros home!

THE NICARAGUA SOLIDARITY GROUP SHOWING A VIDEOTAPE
The NSG of London brought everyone up to date on political and economic challenges facing working-class people and peasants in Nicaragua, especially what has transpired since the USA bought out the elections in 1990 and the Sandinista government was replaced. A number of other groups showed videos, which proved a popular means of presentation. Perhaps the biggest crowd viewed 'Hard Drive', a video made for Channel 4 about the use of computers and the Internet by the Zapatistas and their supporters.

Back to Zapatista Challenge Conference report
Conference programme

26 June 1998