Editorial
MANY THANKS FOR THE MINGA
[Agricultural societies commonly have a custom of shared labor for a common goal. Among the peoples of the Andes, this is known as minga. Opposite the editorial in the present issue of Lucha Indígena is a letter from Manuel Rozental and Raúl Zibechi, announcing the initiation of a financial campaign in support of the magazine. The goal in the present period is to assure a regular supplement of US$1600 per month, mostly through "solidarity subscriptions" from comrades in sympathy with our purposes. There follows a consideration of possible ways of organizing the minga for the long term. This latter question is still under discussion. The editorial is a comment on this very welcome development. Translator's note]
The comrades working at Lucha Indígena are deeply grateful for the militant efforts of our sisters and brothers in other parts of the world. We are united by the struggle of the oppressed to turn back the attack of the transnational corporations that rule the world. This is an attack on humanity and our environment. We are in resistance against the economic and political system imposed by the transnationals through their many servants. These servants include the great majority of the world's governments with their armies, police forces, judiciaries, news media, etc.
We network with our sisters and brothers by means of the internet, through skype sessions and at international meetings such as the recent one in defense of water and life in El Tambo, Cajamarca.
They value the effort that we began in 2006 and have continued through 97 monthly issues in which we deal with national and international concerns. Furthermore, they understand that our main shortcomings have economic causes. For this reason, they have initiated a minga (or minka) -- a collective action for collective benefit -- for us in the form of a funding campaign in support of our work.
We have urgently needed an office in Lima, and with the first fruits of this campaign we now have it. Although it is not yet fully functional, given how little we can afford for rent, it is a decided step forward. We are now in the process of setting it up and expect to be ready to sell our magazine and pamphlets there by 7 September. Naturally, the office will be available to those who wish to meet and exchange views on how the oppressed can struggle in defense of water and life, how we can defend ourselves against the thousand attacks undertaken by the ruling class to crush the oppressed. The objective of these attacks, undertaken with both legal and illegal means, is the accumulation of ever greater wealth in the rulers' hands.
The office is situated in the old section of Lima at Miguel Alijovin 347 near the Palace of Justice.
With the help that is on the way, we are hopeful of opening offices in yet other parts of the country.
In addition to the magazine, we have published many pamphlets on various questions in the struggle. Naturally, with this financial aid we will be able to expand what we are doing. As it now stands, it pains us that we must pass over in silence reporting on many of the assaults and the resistance to them for lack of space. We hope in future to increase the number of pages of Lucha Indígena without raising the price.
When this is a reality, we will be able to open regular columns devoted to the different forms of struggle, written by comrades with close personal knowledge. With gratitude and great respect, we look forward to incorporating them into our modest staff.
We call on all our readers to join in building and extending this fine minga for Lucha Indígena.
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