The initiative of the Popular-Citizen Constituent emerged from a letter sent in May 2014 by Mr. Raúl Vera, inviting the holding of a first workshop “Towards the Citizen Constituent Assembly” on July 5 of the same year. Below we reproduce the text of this first letter and the signatures that subscribed it:
Based on the proposal of Bishop Raúl Vera López, the undersigned invite you to carry out the first Workshop on reflection on the contents and the starting route of the Citizen Constituent initiative. As a preamble to our next meeting, we anticipate some ideas from compañero Raúl Vera:
The dream of the Citizen Constituent *
“[…] We must bet on a kind of Alternative Constituent Congress . We must rebuild the legal architecture that guarantees true democracy in Mexico. In this way, through a peaceful and legal path , we will counteract the power acquired by a few families in the public and private sectors, which at this moment define the social model at the national level through simulated processes of democracy.
We have to think seriously about how we can rescue this nation . We are already many people in Mexico that think in this way and we do not want this transformation of the country to take a violent path.
In the first place , we have to design a way to reach what we want our nation to be; but the road itself must be understood as the gestation of a different scenario in the country. Even when it is in its infancy, this context must already guarantee the conformation of the quality of people who will take us to the country we want to be.
From the beginning of our journey as a nation, we must think about the profile of citizenship that knows how to delegate to those who represent it with all loyalty and truth, to shape the sociopolitical and socioeconomic structures that give our Mexican home the design that allows all and all Mexicans live in freedom, and with all the rights and adequate channels that guarantee that our voice is heard in the development of life in Mexico.
Secondly, the country must be characterized by a dynamism that allows continuous dialogue with citizens , a dialogue that facilitates permanent educational processes, which give equal access to all at a dignified level of life.
The beginning of everything is a kind of Alternative Constituent Congress that must have several stages. These must be expressly designed in order to generate, from a prospective perspective, a model of mature citizenship with the capacity to express and participate actively. It is not a question of arriving at any means to the goal of having a constitutional reform, but it is necessary to take small steps with an express disposition to increase the citizen’s awareness in which the processes allow the necessary growth of the people. It is not about creating a few super leaders, but, fully, all and all Mexicans, can really participate, knowing what they want for themselves and for the whole society, considering even the most vulnerable people and away from the neighborhood or of the daily social circle. We have to think that all the voices and all the aspirations of the country should be included in the new Constitution that we want. In this way, our Magna Carta will truly be the point of reference to combine the will of Mexico in respect for justice and the rights of all.
A first requirement is that everyone knows conscientiously what we have of Constitution at this time . What remains in it is really in favor of the progress of the Mexican population, and what has been cleverly reformed, that favors a few groups and people and harms the vast majority of citizens. To design the methodology and to put the Constitution in the hands of our people, the first actors will be academics and specialists in constitutional law, in methods of citizen participation and in pedagogy and educational tactics.
It is not about creating a small group. We have to put to work universities and higher education centers across the country that freely want to join this transformation process. It must be stated that it is a question of the Mexican people, in their totality, knowing the contradictions that exist within the Constitution and the measures that, based on constitutional laws, the federal government and state governments can take to expel from progress and of the dignified life to the citizens.
We must find a way to achieve a collaboration of many people, as well as its word is important, it is essential to train the critical citizen who can not only question the irregularities that have been introduced in the Constitution, but contribute with his word to the reconstruction of our laws.
The next step will be to build an educational process so that the whole of society can contribute to the reconstruction of the constitutional text; For this we will have to demand much in terms of the generation, in a differentiated way, of a path in which the different categories or sectors of citizens can contribute through their aspirations to justice and the welfare of their persons and their families and groups. , the elements that serve for the construction of the integral legal body that Mexico needs at this moment. This will not be in a general way, as we did in the first stage, but we will have to group the peasants, the indigenous people, the women, the students , the businessmen, etc. in an orderly manner , in order to obtain the sufficient information that is the basis for reconstructing the Constitution, taking into account what the citizens are suffering, the injustices to which they are subjected, the lack of functionality in the public service; We need laws that guarantee an adequate justice process. We have to let all sectors of the people express their needs and their complaints.
In the same way as in the previous phase, this participation is not only based on the Constitution, but to create awareness in the people of the capacity that gives the Constitution itself to provide their own laws. It is at this stage that a new country can be designed to open, in a dynamic and continuous manner, through the referendum and the referendum, citizen participation in the conduct of the country. It will also be the opportunity to introduce the revocation of the mandate and to update our Constitution with the principles of international law.
It is clear that also in this phase the presence of experts and experts is necessary to strengthen the contributions of our people. As with the revision of the Constitution, these specific groups that will have to be trained must have advisory services and sufficient means of information. If we want to be successful, we must be many who commit ourselves to walk alongside the different ones that sustain the whole life of the country.
Taking the word of our people in this consultative process, broad and plural, should return to the hands of academics and experts, so that with a revised Constitution and criticized by the same people , and with their respective suggestions and what is necessary to redo that text, work on its reworking. At the end of this work, you must return to the hands of our newly organized people , by specialized sectors and categories, so that you can once again give your word on this Constitution.
If we can talk about three processes: review and criticism, contribution to its reconstruction, and a new revision of the finished text , this path should generate a mature citizenship to take a very serious approach to the conduct of their country in a truly democratic spirit in which all of us are responsible for the life of our country.
Also in this dynamic of dialogue; where we will have known, helped and, reciprocally encouraged in all this way , will be revealed between us the quality and the moral quality , the capacity of authentic political leadership, to dispose, by consensus, to choose the people we want to represent us in the two chambers of the Congress of the Union. This election will be through the different electoral districts, still in force in our Constitution, it will no longer be through political parties . At the same time that we elect a Congress in a consensual manner, we will design the new path to integrate the government we want; with the people we want to govern us. Article 39 of the Constitution recognizes the sovereignty that the people of Mexico have to give themselves, at the moment they decide, the type of government they want. […] ”
The Workshop “Towards the Citizen Constituent Assembly” will be held next SATURDAY, JULY 5, in Mexico City, in a place to be confirmed. The work schedule will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We will tackle three major themes:
a) Diagnosis of the major national problems , for which we will work with the advances that have been made in this regard in the working sessions of the Permanent Tribunal of the Peoples – Chapter Mexico.
b) Presentation of the Proposal Towards the Citizen Constituent of Comrade Raúl Vera López.
c) Discussion and proposals on the Start Route of the Citizen Constituent.
Registration at the meeting venue will begin at 9 a.m. The details of the methodology that includes discussion in tables and plenaries will be announced 15 days in advance; once we have the information about the compañeras and the compañeros who have sent confirmation of their attendance.
Note:
(*) Summary of Chapter V “The Deception of Politicians and the Dream of a Citizen Constituent” from Bernardo Barranco’s book, The Social Gospel of Bishop Raúl Vera. Conversations with Bernardo Barranco. Mexico, Ed. Grijalbo, January 2014, pp. 121-143.
Invite: Raúl Vera López
Aguascalientes: Ramírez Carrillo Ernesto
Baja California: Aguilar Vásquez Víctor Manuel, Martínez Zazueta Iván, Morales Polo Aurora
Baja California Sur: Morales Polo Sergio
Chiapas: Alfaro Candelaria, García Aguirre Miguel Ángel, Gómez Sami Gabriel, Gómez Pablo César, Gómez Hernández Caralampio, Joachin López Wilmar, López Marian, López López Hernán, Magdaleno José Bernardo, Martínez Alfredo, Milton Zunun Fredy, Pérez Hernández Gelacio, Vázquez José Manuel,
Chihuahua: Almanza Mayor Horacio, Ávila A. Javier, Barraza Limón Laurencio, Castillo Castañeda Catalina, Gómez Gabino, González Emilia, Morales Vargas Rosalio, Quintana Víctor, Ruiz Arroyo Leticia,
Coahuila: De la Cruz Luis Manuel, Mata Victoria, Oteo Oropeza Gustavo, Vera López Raúl
DF: Albarrán González Álvaro, Alcázar Romero Jessica, Anaya Andrade Alfonso, Ávila A. Javier, Ayala Fernando, Barona Oropeza Elena, Bahena and Lome Benito, Bautista Martínez Hugo Manuel, Beltrán Baltimore, Cabrera M. Víctor Manuel, Chain Barquín Félix, Carlsen Laura, Cartagena Rivero Romeo, Castañeda Zavala Jorge, Cauzard Isabelle, Cervantes Ramírez María Soledad, Clares Fuentes Susana Margarita, Sergio Cobo, Concha Leonor Aida, Concha Miguel, Contreras Domínguez María Elena, Coronel Guzmán Judith, María Elena Corona, Cortés Bolívar Leonor, Cruz Claudia, Cruz Dávila Evangelina, Cuevas Moctezuma Alfonso M., Díaz Vázquez Román, Eibenschutz Catalina, Enríquez Castillo Cosme Martín, Escobar Casilda, Eslava Rocío, Esparza Martín, Espino Gallegos Luz del Carmen, Espinosa Raymundo, Fernández Martínez María Guadalupe, Flores Salmerón Moisés, Flores Olea Víctor, Galido Barajas Alejandro, Gallego Barbadillo Ricardo, Gallegos María del Carmen, García Martínez Ma Ría Luisa, García Morales Ericka, Gerardo Juan, Gershenson Daniel, Gomezcaña Eduardo, Gómez Vázquez Carlos, González Clara, González García María del Carmen, González Garduño Dulce, González Ortega Dan, González Ruiz José Enrique, Guerrero Manuel Ramos, Hastings García Isadora, Hernández Hernández Fernando, Grajales Platas Manuel, Hernández Linares Martín, Hernández Ruiz Margarita de la Asunción, Ibarra Vega Salvador, Jiménez Olin Ernesto, Juárez Jorge, Juárez Palacios Gabriela, Jusidman Clara, Laines Potisek Jaime, Loyo Martínez Carla Sofía, López Hernández Leobardo, Luna Fidencio, Lopez de la Cerda Rafael, Luna Parra Adriana, Luna Pineda Soila, Manzanares Víctor, Marín Fernández María Aurora, Márquez Fernando, Martínez Arreortua Raúl, Mejía Elizabeth, Melgoza Rojas Jaqueline, Mendizábal Lucero, Miceli Melgar Janeth, Mirón Lince Benito, Montemayor Rebeca, Montes Maricarmen, Montes de Oca Humberto, Montoya Pérez Luz María, Moreno Padilla María del Carmen, Nava Laura, Noriega García Pilar, Ortega Bravo Gustavo, Padilla Becerra Mario Antonio, Padilla López Ernesto, Padrón Flores Manuel, Peralta Puga Valentina, Pérez Acosta Amalia, Pérez Ríos Raúl, Pintado de Wit José Manuel, Puertas Pilar, Ramírez Funés Jesús Alejandro, Ramos Sánchez Silvia, Reza-Araujo Emilio, Rico Ramírez Roberto, Rivas Manzanilla José María, Robledo Chavarría José Antonio, Rodríguez Beltrán Adriana Matalonga, Roses Landa Octavio, Sáenz Laura, Salazar Cano Humberto, Sánchez Cruz Alan, Sánchez Norma, Sánchez Corona María Guadalupe, Sánchez Coss Martha Selene, Sánchez Soler Marta, Sánchez Suárez José Guadalupe, Santiago Lugo Patricia, Saucedo García Alfonso, Servitje Lucila, Santillán Ivonne, Soto Carlos Daniel, Soto Ramírez Ricardo, Suckaer Ingrid, Tellez Godínez León, Tello Chávez Marcos , Tovar Gómez Adriana Juana, Torres Osorno Luis Antonio, Ugarte Trangay Ximena, Valencia Mulkay Miguel, Vásquez Reyes Arturo Carlos, Váz quez Roa Liliana, Velarde Reyes Pablo, Velarde Reyes José Luis, Velarde Reyes Gloria, Villarreal Santos Altagracia, Villegas Salinas Nefi, Yesca González Juan Carlos, Zayola Adolfo, Zavala Fabián
Durango: Román Hilario, Villarreal Verónica
Edomex: Jara Rodarte Margarita, Madrid Hernández Reina, Martínez Sosa Gerardo, Mena Abraham Josefina, Ramírez Vázquez Pedro, Reyna José Antonio, Testa Enedina
Guerrero: Morlet Macho Javier
Hidalgo: Chew Francisco, Fuentes Cornejo Ana Lilia, García Hernández Martha Selene, Huitrón Moctezuma Roberto, Jiménez Juárez Antonina, Tapia Doniz Antonieta, Uribe Yury, Vilchis Jiménez Francisco
Jalisco: Díaz García Susana Gabriela, Luna Pauline
Michoacán: García Castrejón Ana María, Garduño Loperena Francisco Javier, Gómez Flores Alberto, Gutiérrez Morales José Raciel, Guzmán Escutia Fernando, Hernández Vázquez Joel, Melchor Román Juan, Mesa Jesús, Ochoa Franco Azanara, Ortega Madrigal Juan José, Rangel Graciela, Santiago Mirna Valdés Espinoza Liliana
Morelos: Antuñez Popoca, Barreda Marín Andrés, Bruno Figueroa Ilse Pilar, Bruno Figueroa Tania Nayeli, García Reynoso Juan Francisco, Leija Salas Alfonso, López and Rivas Gilberto, Pantitlán Aguirre María del Carmen, Sánchez Quiroz Magdiel, Sicilia Zardain Javier, Tomasini Padilla Fernanda , Vargas Rosío, Vargas Rosío, Zayago Lira Guadalupe, Zayago Lira Sachenka, Zayago Lira Vlasova,
Nuevo León: García Krauss José Luis
Oaxaca: Castillo Morga Joaquín, Castillo Morga Alejandro
Puebla: Gutierrez Otero Patricia, Moreno Garridoo Maria del Carmen
Querétaro: Aguilar Pérez Francisco, Alatorre Gómez Alejandro, González Godínez José Luis, Urretabizkaya Garbus Irene, Zamora Huerta Andrés Refugio, Flores del Castillo Jorge Alberto, Lavin Beristain Eduardo, Martínez Hernández Martín, Gualito Genaro, Pacheco Violeta, Tapia Rivera Fernando
Quintana Roo: Alpuche Cristhian, Quintanar González Rafael, Ramos Bustamante Salvador, Ramos Bustamante Emiliano Vladimir, Ramos Hernández Atzayatl Salvador
Veracruz: Rodríguez Merales Isaul, Segura Millán Rafael, Atenco Vidal Tlakatenco Julio
Zacatecas: Adame Rodríguez Francisco, Aguilar Cruz Elizabeth, Arredondo José Manuel, Arteaga Fernando, Carranza Ayala María Luisa, Castorena Ana Janeth, Cervantes Ramírez Rafael, De la Rosa Armando Yolanda, De Rocío Tower, Escobar Graciela, Fernández Andrade Víctor Manuel, Frausto Orozco Filiberto, Hernández Uriel, Jara Barrios Alfonso, Jáuregui Gustavo, López Aguilar Maura Elena, Montoya Gómez Víctor Hugo, Ojeda Animas Miguel Ángel, Orozco from Rafael Cave, Ortiz Fuentes Francisco Javier, Roberto Ovalle, Martínez Eravin Stone, Ramírez Carrillo Roberto, Rodarte Marcelino, Rodríguez Barragán Blanca Lilia, Rojas Báez Laurencio, Ruiz Edelmira, Solís Valenzuela Arturo
Mexican @ s abroad: Germany: Sabina Morales Rosas, Miriam Boyer González, Arturo Romero Contreras, Iliusi Vega Del Valle, Jacqueline Calzada Mendoza,
United States: Francisco Ximénez.
