Zapatista sympathizers marked El Dia de La Raza by blocking the entrance to a military base in the state of Chiapas, as part of a nationwide protest against the subjugation of Mexico's indigenous peoples. Other subjects of protest were the Puebla Panama Plan, a proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, and the free market policies of the Mexican government. Many protesters believe these programs are more beneficial to the U.S. than Mexico, and that their establishment will only exacerbate the poverty and marginalization of Mexico's indigenous population. The protestors also called for the demilitarization of the conflict zone in Chiapas and the release of Zapatista members and other political prisoners.
