Alberto Patishtan Returns to Hometown in Chiapas After 13 Years in Prison Hermann Bellinghausen - La Jornada
go to original December 2, 2013

Alberto Patishtán Gómez Comes Home to Chiapas  (Moysés Zúñiga Santiago/La Jornada)

SAN JUAN EL BOSQUE, Chiapas - Speaking of his long captivity, Alberto Patishtán says to the small crowd who welcomed him home: "They were thirteen years of living death. But instead of dying, I was returned to life. Instead of keeping silent, I learned to speak. We are poor, but rich in principles and values, in dignity and respect. We know how to resist, and how to insist on justice."

The multitudes of the Tzotzil village of El Bosque welcomed and admired its most famous son. After his thirteen-year absence, today the villagers gave Patishtán Gómez a strong and soulful presence. Since morning, here they have done nothing but receive him. They accompanied him through the streets. They gave him countless hugs. There were Catholic prayers and songs, rockets, speeches, and thanks for the powerful meat of three bulls slaughtered for the occasion. The teacher said, "I'm not just content, but happy."

His companion of many battles, the teacher Martin Ramírez said on behalf of the El Bosque Movement in Defense of the People: "Everybody wins, we are celebrating a victory."

But contentment does not detract from the indignation.

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