REFOUNDING MEXICO. From left: Javier Sicilia, Lydia Cacho [journalist], Leticia Gutiérrez, Alejandro Solalinde, Francisco Toledo, Raúl Vera and Dan Gonzalez were some of the participants in the presentation of the Citizen and Popular Constitutional Assembly Photo Roberto Garcá Ortiz

On the anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution [February 5, 1917], human rights defenders, religious leaders and members of trade unions, peasant farmer and civic groups, as well as renowned personalities of the arts, participated in the public presentation of the Citizen and Popular Constitutional Assembly, which aims to give Mexico a new Constitution that arises from the people.

Nearly a thousand people gathered in the auditorium of the Fra Angelico University Culture Center. Among those present were the artist, Francisco Toledo; the priests Miguel Concha [co-founder of the National Commission of Human Rights] and Alejandro Solalinde [winner of National Human Rights Award, 2012]; Gilberto López y Rivas [anthropologist and activist], Javier Sicilia [poet, essayist and founder of the Movement for Peace], Dan González (coordinator of the Theological Community of Mexico), Martin Esparza (Mexico Electricians Union leader), leaders of the CNTE [National Coordinating Committee of Education Workers], CNPA [National Coordinating Committee for the Plan of Ayala], UNORCA [National Union of Autonomous Regional Peasant Farmers Organizations] and family members of the [disappeared] Ayotzinapa normal school students.

They agreed that the various amendments to the Constitution that have been made ??in the current administration have left the spirit and purpose of the supreme law of the country “dead”. The Bishop of Saltillo, Raúl Vera López, said that it has been modified in favor of “providing progress” to only a small group that holds the power and money. He believes that the Constitution gives certainty and security “only to those in the front row.”

Vera López remarked that, given the economic, political, legal, security and corruption crises, the purpose of the constitutional assembly is to refound Mexico, which is “broken down” and “flooded with violence and impunity.” He stressed that the drafting of a new constitution must reach all corners of the country and include all social sectors. He added that after the preparation of the new constitution, a new congress should be established without political parties. He asserted that the structural reforms were supported by people without ethics who were put into congressional seats by the political parties.

The Dominican priest Miguel Concha said that

“It is urgent for Mexico to refound the State in order to respond effectively to the needs and expectations of all people, not just the interests of minority groups.”

He said the state should have

“as its backbone the respect, promotion, protection and guarantee of the human rights of all people.”

Father Solalinde said the Constitutional Assembly is the answer to

“the cry of the people, the desire for change and the thirst for righteousness.”

The cleric sent a message to President Enrique Peña Nieto:

“You should know that your government has come to this point, that it is a matter of time. We are going to do it peacefully. We will do what you and the other branches of government didn’t do.”

Spanish original