Subcomandante Marcos: Social Justice Before Occupy Wallstreet

Subcomandante Marcos

Reasons For Mexillence: 


1. Pursues social justice in spite of the various threats made to his life. 


2. Sacrifices his own identity for the improvement of society. 


3. Spokesperson for the EZLN (Zapatista Army Of National Liberation). 

As the Occupy Wall Street movement continues, one can wonder: When was the last time the 99%  protested against the wealthiest 1%? 

In January 1994, Subcomandante Marcos led an army of Mayan farmers to protest the treatment of indigenous peoples by the Mexican government. At that particular instant, nearly all government officials were the most corrupt and wealthiest people in Mexico. As a result, they oppressed the native Americans in southern Mexico into a poverty state. Marcos organized the people and put an end to the abuse in the state of Chiapas. In spite of his accomplishments toward social justice, no one is certain of the identity of Marcos. 

As A Political Leader: 

Marcos constantly wears a ski mask to conceal his identity since several wealthy individuals and government officials seek his assassination. Those that desire his assassination are upset that Marcos instilled political consciousness among the underprivileged in Mexico. Prior to Marcos, several indigenous peoples surrendered their land and possessions when ordered by wealthier and more powerful individuals. In fact, some of the indigenous peoples lacked the concept of property and were taken advantage by wealthier individuals and government officials. Marcos organized the oppressed people and they established their own territory in the sate of Chiapas in Mexico--free of government corruption. 

Accomplishments: 

Marcos is an author, political poet, humorist, and an opponent of capitalism. Marcos has advocated amending the  Mexican constitution to recognize the rights of indigenous people.

As an author, Marcos has written more than 200 essays and stories and has published 21 books documenting his political and philosophical views.

Marcos is the spokesperson of the EZLN. Since the EZLN control territory in Chiapas, Marcos is the leader of the particular territory. 

Speculations About Identity: 

A popular speculation suggests that Marcos is Rafael Sebastian Guillen Vicente. Guillen attended and graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with a major in Philosophy. At UNAM, Guillen specialized in Marxist rhetoric and won an award for the best dissertation of his class. Guillen worked as a professor at the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) while finishing his dissertation at UNAM. After a few years Guillen left and presumably contacted the Forces of National Liberation, which is associated to EZLN. The family of Guillen is unaware of his whereabouts and neglect several coincidental dates.