Statement of Witness
Submitted by a member of the Witness for Peace New England delegation to Mexico, January 2003
The day we climbed the mountain..... Acteal
by Sister Jean Ackerman
We climbed this Chiapas mountain today over curving roads, rutted and dangerous, yet with majestic mountain grandeur embracing us. Women carrying water from a common well while children, bent over, carrying bundles of sticks followed in their mothers- footsteps as my heart wept. We arrive at Acteal in a silent reflective mood. A mist is falling as we arrive. Still quite naive as to what we shall experience, we leave our vans to wind our ways down steep steps into Acteal. As we descend a hush comes over our delegation, 45 women, men and children were massacred here on Dec 22 1997, a little over four years ago. 'The martyrs' blood provides us with great strength to continue in the struggle," quotes the junta leader May that same strength fill each of us who visit here to speak against the injustices to these non-violent humble earthy people.
Around 8 00 PM the junta leaders begin to tell the story of the massacre. Carefully reverently, they move from leader to leader explaining something too painful to explore by a single voice. These are strong determined leaders who know that life will continue through the blood of their own martyrs. We are then led to our dormitory lodging with large slits in a floor close to a surging waterfall. The rushing water reminds me of a baptism by water and by blood that these people have experienced. Throughout the night this same water rushes under and through us washing us as we sleeplessly rest on holy ground The closing morning ritual in the sanctuary of the martyrs joined our copious tears to the anguish and cries of innocent victims of violence. Scan I learn as I stand on this ground of contemporary martyrs
Yes this is a mountain of atrocity, suffering and death but also a mountain of hope, of courage and of strength as we continue our journey of peace and justice, I thank mv God that I have climbed this holy mountain- not alone- but together with a Witness for Peace delegation supported by all those who have gone before us. I bend to touch this sacred ground as I hear the words of the junta leader, "May your hearts rest!"
Go forth to tell the story!
Posted: March 26, 2003