CIPO-RFM

OBSTINATE ENEMIES OF INJUSTICE

“The solidarity of others is our own defense.”

Praxedis G. Guerrero, Puntos Rojos (1906)

The Consejo Indigena Popular de Oaxaca “Ricardo Flores Magon” CIPO-RFM is the house of the poor fighting against injustice. We are an organization of communities that use non-violent resistance. Our strength lies in helping each other, and in our independence from all political parties, legal or secret, and from all the institutions and organizations of the government. The activities of CIPO-RFM are the outcome of agreements achieved in meetings, thus we all share the successes and failures.
CIPO currently represents 24 communities of Chatin, Mixtec, Chinantec, Cuicatec, Zapotec, Mixe, Triqui, black or half-caste villages. Our house is open to all of them.

THE MAGONISTA DREAM

“The fight for freedom also has its lovers.”

Praxedis G. Guerrero, Puntos Rojos (1906)

Our mission is the reconstitution and free association of our villages, to exercise autonomy and direct action on the magonista path:

- To help the villages and workers to organize themselves liberally, not necessarily within the CIPO-RFM.
- To promote, diffuse and defend our human, territorial, economic, social, political and cultural rights, as communities and as individuals.
- To advise and help the communities, organizations, authorities and individuals, natives or not, that ask for our support in their struggle.
- To encourage sustainable projects (production, services, commercialization, etc.) that allow a complete development of the native communities, safeguarding the ecosystems and respecting the people.
- To investigate, document, analyze and diffuse the actions and stuggles of the communities.
- To engage in the defense and the protection of our environment and territory, as well as to revalue the worldview of our communities.
- To develop methods of alternative communication: radio, television, press, internet, etc.
- To put in practice concrete actions to achieve authentic respect for diversity, and for the rights of women and children.

WITHOUT LOSING KINDNESS

“There’s no need to hate in order to fight for freedom. Without hate one can build tunnels, erect dikes on rivers, without hate one can open the ground to sow grain, without hate despotism can be annihilated… rebellion does not imply brutality.”

Praxedis G. Guerrero, Puntos Rojos (1907)

We chose the name Ricardo Flores Magon because he was a libertarian, indigenous, and even though he was born in Oaxaca, his heart, thoughts and work were for the freedom of all people.
Following his principles means fighting without seeking material wealth or any personal profit, struggling to evict egoism, leaders and lies, and living without aspiration for power or its imposition on anyone. We keep as basic principles reciprocal aid, solidarity, non-violent direct action, autonomy and self-government as the way to freedom.
The members of CIPO-RFM are also called Magonistas since the Magonismo is the way we intend to fight.

A STORY OF MANY STORIES

“While they counted dollars I spent my time counting stars. I wanted to make a man out of each human animal, while they, more practical, made an animal out of each man, and made themselves shepherds. However, I prefer to be a dreamer than a practical man.”

Ricardo Flores Magon, Epistolario Revolucionario e intimo (1920)

CIPO-RFM is the result of a long path of organization and struggle in the communities that started in the eighties. Every one of us participated, with different ambitions and methods, against the same enemy.
We have endured incomprehension and divisions, and committed many errors before being what we are: an organization in permanent evolution.
Our existence has been difficult: people have been kidnapped, murdered, imprisoned and tortured; our misfortunes and failures led us to construct a co-op where anyone is welcome to live and join us in our struggle.

Introduction:

The Consejo Indigena Popular de Oaxaca “Ricardo Flores Magon” (CIPO-RFM) is an organization of indigenous communities that support each other and work independently from all political parties and from all governmental institutions. CIPO-RFM has a home in Oaxaca City where anyone who wants to join us in our non-violent struggle is welcome. You can participate as an international human rights observer or in the variety of projects developed in our communities.

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