The Zapote farm collective (ejido) has stepped up its pressure on authorities in charge of the Guadalajara International Airport in response to construction undertaken to expand the facility they say is illegal.
The group, which has been fighting both federal authorities and the concession that manages the airport over contested land since the mid-1970s, has chosen a time-tested tactic which will be familiar to most people living in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara: a parking lot takeover followed by an offer of free parking to the public.
Leaders of the Zapote collective say they obtained an injunction from a federal judge on November 8 that ordered both the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) and the private Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) to halt remodeling and expansion works on the airport until the issue of monetary restitution for expropriated lands – at the center of the conflict for almost half a century – has been resolved.
“In light of the failure to comply [with the ruling] on the part of federal authorities, construction companies and GAP, the members of Ejido El Zapote have agreed that entry to the airport’s parking garage will be free,” read a communique from the group.
While the group has decreed parking to be without charge, reports suggest they have been seen soliciting donations from vehicles entering and exiting the parking zones.
GAP issued its own statement saying that neither El Zapote’s occupation of the garage, nor the offer of free parking, has any legal legitimacy. In addition, they have reported what they deem unlawful trespassing to Jalisco’s Attorney General’s Office, but have so far not received a response.
This is not the first time the ejido has resorted to a parking lot takeover. A previous seizure earlier this year ended after state police intervened.
El Zapote leaders say they will maintain the occupation of the parking areas for an indefinite period.