Letter from Indigenous Mazatec anarchist Miguel Peralta to his community of Eloxochitlán de Flores Magón to mark 101 years since the assassination of Ricardo Flores Magón and the ongoing struggle against political imprisonment and persecution in the community.

What’s up, compas? I greet you all with much love. First, I would like to ask for a strong applause for Angelita Velasco, Genero Vargas, and Alberto Cabanzo…compañerxs who’ve left this world and who were part of this struggle.

One-hundred and one years since the assassination of Ricardo Flores Magón, the seed of rebellion that he sowed continues bearing fruits of knowledge, ideas, anecdotes, and strategies of resistance. In spite of the constant political imprisonment and persecution he faced, including outside of Mexico, he always maintained a firm and clear ideological posture, something necessary for us to remember.

Revindicating Ricardo means strengthening ties of community, and a sense of belonging that the powerful can never eliminate.

I want to send a strong embrace to my uncle Jaime Betanzos and Herminio Monfil who have managed to get out from behind the prison walls. I’m very happy to know that you are both in the community with your loved ones.

I am with you all from a distance. The forced detachment from my territory has implied a certain uprooting, forcing me to distance myself from things that I wanted to do in my community. To stop reproducing these community practices sometimes makes me lose sleep. Yet, there is also a bond that is very deeply rooted because that is where I was born.

Exile from one’s community doesn’t necessarily imply moving away from what you believe in. Living beneath political persecution, there is always anguish and fear. You walk, run, and stumble in the night, but you get up and you continue advancing with cautious steps, watching out for the security of your accomplices.

I hope that all the imprisoned compas are soon free, and that the persecuted can return home so that once again their families are united.

Greetings to the compas of the independent media who are always giving it their all. Also to the compa Luis Olvera Maldonado, and Doña Fili. We have some pulques pending. A warm embrace.

Down with the prison walls!

Freedom for Alfredo Bolaños, Fernando Gavito, Francisco Duran, Marcelino Miramon and Paul Reyes!

Freedom without restrictions for Jaime and Herminio!

Freedom for Jorge Esquivel!

Freedom for Karla and Magda!

Freedom for Alfredo Cospito, Mónica and Francisco!

Freedom for all political prisoners!

Miguel Peralta