From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Proceso 537: The popular movement
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 00:50:00 GMT

/** reg.elsalvador: 124.0 **/
** Topic: Proceso 537: Labor **
** Written  3:07 pm  Nov  8, 1992 by cidai@huracan.cr in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
From: cidai@huracan.cr (Centro de Informacion Documentacion y Apoyo a la Invest. - UCAJSC)
Subject: Proceso 537: Labor

Center for Information, Documentation and Research Support (CIDAI)
Central American University (UCA)
San Salvador, El Salvador
 
PROCESO 537
November 4, 1992
 
LABOR:
The popular movement between January and October
 
     October 31 was the deadline for meeting all the commitments
outlined in the peace accords. This goal was not met, however, and
a series of actions was necessary to get the deadline rescheduled,
against the will of the far right. The popular movement was one of
the most vocal forces in demanding that the deadline be postponed,
and that both sides comply fully with their respective commitments.
During the last several days in October, the National Union of
Workers and Peasants (UNOC), National Unity of Salvadoran Workers
(UNTS) and the Permanent Commission of the National Debate for
Peace (CPDN) constantly pressed President Cristiani to resist
right-wing pressure, to accept the U.N. proposal and to effectively
clean up the Armed Forces. This was the context of the October 31
march.
     The mobilization appeared to be the largest show of support
for the peace accords since January 16, when the Chapultepec
Accords were celebrated, and was entirely peaceful. The march was
attended by the Intergremial labor coalition, the CPDN, some
opposition political parties, and the FMLN. Two incidents occurred,
however: The UNTS said that National Police were blocking traffic
along the Northern Highway to prevent attendance at the march, and
a young couple said they were attacked by marchers who stole from
them 12,000 colones and personal effects. The second incident was
the only one which received coverage in the morning dailies on
November 2.
     Nevertheless, the march was an overall success: attendance was
high, it was peaceful and pluralistic, and popular demands to clean
up the Armed Forces and carry out the peace accords were heard.
According to CPDN leader Rev. Edgar Palacios, "we are making it
known to the government, and Armed Forces and the right that we,
the organized people, will continue with this struggle until peace
is achieved in El Salvador."
     However, important differences were seen between the October
31 march and the rally on January 16. Although 100,000 packed the
Civic Plaza in January, only 10,000 marched through the streets on
October 31. The nature and spirit of the two activities were
different, of course, but attendance was significantly lower last
month. Given the importance of the latter activity, the leaders of
the nation's social movement ought to reflect on the problem of how
to mobilize more people.
     In early January, some organizations stated that one of the
tasks facing the popular movement this year was to monitor the
accords. And this job has been an important part of the activities
of some popular organizations. Their presence has been most
strongly felt at critical moments: Marrack Goulding's first visit,
the issue of cleaning out the Armed Forces, the Ad Hoc Commission
report, and lately around the demand to postpone the October 31
deadline.
     However, the popular presence has followed a trend somewhat
similar to that of attendance at mass mobilizing activities. With
the exception of the demands to clean out the Armed Forces and
comply with the accords, which were most strongly felt in October,
the most outspoken demands were made during the first few months of
the year, and then mostly in press conferences.
     Even so, October 31 showed us a social movement whose impact
is felt when it comes to the nation's most serious political
problems. This last march might help shore up socio-political
activity surrounding the implementation of the rest of the accords.
Today more than ever, the popular organizations must make sure that
the government and the Armed Forces meet their commitments.
     If the signing ceremony on January 16 was a propitious climate
for popular demonstrations, socio-political participation and broad
mobilizing, today's crisis might be capable of raising spirits and
increasing popular creativity in order to make the will of the
Salvadoran people felt.
 

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