Mexico: Condolences for Professor Celedonio Luis Santibáñez

We hereby share an unofficial translation of a note published by Mural Newspaper.

We have received the news of the passing of Professor Celedonio Luis Santibáñez, who was a member of the leadership of Current of the People Red Sun and an active collaborator with popular and democratic press.

As soon as we knew about the news, we went along with dozens of comrades from various democratic, educational, cultural, and human rights organizations who attended to lay his body to rest in the Zapotec lands of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. A large and waving red flag from his organization, along with an olive green cap with a red star, accompanied him in his burial.

Crying has been inevitable, especially when hearing the various tributes to the life and struggle of Profe. Cele, as we affectionately called him. Some comrades mentioned that he founded more than 20 rural schools, while others noted that he helped organize poor farmers and indigenous communities for the occupation and recovery of land. Someone else recalled that, along with hundreds of working-class families, he formed the “Victorious Occupation” just a few kilometers from the capital of Oaxaca. His contributions were numerous.

His burial was accompanied by a mariachi band that played several of his favorite songs, as well as traditional songs for moments like this; Master Raúl Mendoza also joined with his guitar, singing protest songs and, of course, “The Internationale,” which was sung for him one last time in front of his grave by his comrades, who bid farewell to one of their leaders with raised red flags and fists.

Mural Newspaper expresses its condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of Professor Celedonio Luis Santibáñez, who has recently returned to the earth only to germinate in the clean tomorrow, with the revolution of the poor that he wanted for so much.