Mexico’s Supreme Court holds its first session outside Mexico City, in Chiapas

TENEJAPA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s Supreme Court held its first session outside its neoclassical building in Mexico City Thursday in a mountain town in the southern state of Chiapas, the start of its plan to bring the country’s highest court to far-flung corners of the country.

Under a tent in the central square of Tenejapa, some 2,000 people listened to the court’s deliberations.

Under a constitutional reform, the court’s justices were popularly elected last year for the first time. Its chief justice is Hugo Aguilar, an Indigenous lawyer from the neighboring state of Oaxaca.

“Often in our communities we only feel the effects of a decision” taken far away, Aguilar said Thursday. Now, the goal is “that you see how we deliberate, that you know what we say, how we consider and make a decision.”

Some of those present, Indigenous leaders and authorities, held signs that said “right to self-determination.” Others just came to listen and be part of a historic moment.

“It makes me happy that this new minister (Aguilar) comes out to the towns, to cities to carry out justice because we really need to listen to the people,” said María de la Cruz Velasco, president of a foundation that helps victims of femicide.

Among those present were members of the community La Candelaria, in the municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas, which has been demanding self-rule for years. The case made it to the Supreme Court and was one of the issues discussed Thursday.

The court’s sessions can often be tedious and difficult for anyone outside the legal profession to follow, but Indigenous people and victims of violence have traditionally had an ally in the court. It has usually defended human rights with a progressive perspective even though some of the sentences handed down have not always been carried out.

Velasco recalled that when her daughter was killed, local courts did not want to classify the crime as a femicide, but the Supreme Court finally decided that it was not a normal homicide because it had a gender dimension. “Today my daughter’s (killer) is serving 55 years in prison,” she said.

This court is the first elected by the people and the argument for doing so was in part to make it more responsive and accountable. The idea was widely criticized for politicizing Mexico’s highest court. The turnout for the election was extremely low and the candidates tied to the governing party overwhelmingly won seats.

But on Thursday in Tenejapa, nestled in the mountains of Chiapas, that controversy was not discussed. There was gratitude that the court had come to them.

Chiapas State Indigenous attend a Mexico Supreme Court special session in Tenejapa, Chiapas State, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Isabel Mateos)

Mexico's Supreme Court President Hugo Aguilar, center, greets Indigenous authorities upon his arrival for a special session in Tenejapa, Chiapas State, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Isabel Mateos)

Chiapas State Indigenous attend Mexico Supreme Court special session in Tenejapa, Chiapas State, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Isabel Mateos)

Members of the Mexican Supreme Court, Lenia Batres, from left, Hugo Aguilar and Yasmin Esquivel attend a special session with Indigenous communities of Chiapas State in Tenejapa, Mexico, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Isabel Mateos)

CALGARY, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 4, 2026--

Blackline Safety Corp. (" Blackline " or the " Company ") (TSX: BLN), a global leader in connected safety technology, is pleased to announce that independent proxy advisory firms, including Institutional Shareholder Services (" ISS "), have recommended that shareholders vote " FOR " the proposed plan of arrangement (the " Transaction ") with Apollo Purchaser, Inc. (the " Purchaser "), a newly formed corporation controlled by Francisco Partners Management, L.P. The special meeting of shareholders of Blackline (the " Meeting ") to approve the Transaction is scheduled for June 15, 2026. Under the Transaction, shareholders will receive $9.00 in cash per share plus one contingent value right (" CVR ") per share, entitling holders to a potential cash payment of up to $0.50 per CVR if the Company achieves a certain annualized recurring revenue target in fiscal 2027.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260604758725/en/

The Meeting will be held at the offices of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP located at 2400, 525 – 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1G1 on June 15, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time). The management information circular and related documents can be accessed online on Blackline's website at https://investors.blacklinesafety.com/shareholder-special-meeting and on Blackline's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

The recommendations from the independent proxy advisory firms, including ISS, follow the unanimous recommendation of Blackline's special committee of independent directors (the " Special Committee ") and its board of directors (with all interested directors abstaining) that shareholders vote FOR the Transaction.

Jason Cohenour, Chair of the Special Committee commented:

"We are pleased that the leading independent proxy advisory firms have recognized the benefits and merits of the Transaction for Blackline shareholders and have recommended that shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction. These recommendations support the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Committee, who oversaw a robust strategic review and sales process. The Transaction provides shareholders with the opportunity to realize immediate and certain value in cash for their investment at a significant premium to recent trading levels and potential additional value through the CVRs."

Shareholders Are Encouraged to Vote Ahead of the Proxy Deadline
The proxy voting deadline is June 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time). Shareholders are encouraged to vote well in advance of the proxy voting deadline to ensure your vote is submitted in a timely manner. Shareholders may vote online, by telephone or by any other methods provided in the form or proxy or voting instruction form which have been included as part of the mailing.

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 27, 2026 are eligible to vote at the Meeting.

Shareholder Questions & Voting Assistance
Shareholders with questions or who require voting assistance may contact Blackline's proxy solicitation agent:
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North America Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184
Outside North America: 1-416-304-0211
Text Message: Text "INFO" to 416-304-0211 or 1-877-452-7184
Email:assistance@laurelhill.com

About Blackline Safety: Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards increased safety and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with customers in more than 75 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 323 billion data-points and initiated over eight million emergency alerts. For more information, visit blacklinesafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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