Still need to get banner fixed...but no time. same old. same old. swear I age a year, physically, every time finals come around. Will get to to-do list later.
Lots going on in Oaxaca. Disturbing things going on in Oaxaca. Well, I guess that's really been the norm for the last 6 months. But I'm talking about something different: the events of the last two days. I'm concerned...Radio Universidad was turned over, Cinco Senores was cleared w/o resistance...what does this mean? Has the movement given up? I don't know. Seems they've played all their cards. Given up the two things that were their "currency." I hope this has not been for nothing. Too many people affected, negatively, for nothing to end up being accomplished. I haven't taken sides...I think APPO could have done a lot better of a job getting organized to be effective. Yet, I support, wholeheartedly, their ideals of social/economic change for Oaxaca. I really don't think, as a gringa, that I have the ability to completely understand. I haven't lived through all the events that have formed the mindset of the people, the distrust and knowledge of corruption that has been handed down generationally. It would be ridiculous for me to assume I can sit here and say that I'm an expert, that my opinion is correct. Yet, I analyze and question and form/re-form my opinions constantly. I want to understand. I want to learn. I want to learn and share the story. I want the people I share the stories with to care. At same time, I can't disregard the sentiments of my local friends there...this movement has destroyed their lives. They've lost their jobs. Their sense of safety. Their livelihoods. Their friends. And not just them...countless people. I think the media has not given a voice to the people stuck in the middle, at all. However, as much as I've given thoughts to strategy, and wished for a BETTER strategy and sometimes been upset at the actions of the movement, not upset, but more like....do this better!, I now find myself worrying that the movement is over. Strange how I'm now mourning something I haven't always loved. Is it? The end? Was it all for nothing? I can't stop thinking about this. Obsessing really. Tell me this has made some sort of change. That the goal of change has not been abandoned. I really don't think that APPO has been the most effective. I don't. I know it's not politically correct to say this...but I think they hurt themselves with emerging egos, with lack of leadership. Again, at same time, I'm so PROUD OF, IN AWE, HUMBLED and MOVED by the ability of the people, of the sacrifices of the people. All these people came together and came up with some great stuff. Communiques, marches, awareness. I'm confused. Conflicted. Can't you tell?! I'm happy some normalcy has returned. I'm unhappy this normalcy might signal defeat. I'm unhappy with some of the ways this movement has been approached and executed. I'm happy that so many people operated and formed a grassroots approach to address the horrible conditions of this city, state. It's hard to articulate, really. I've been fortunate to witness events personally. I've been fortunate that I've been able, through my own eyes and the eyes of loved ones in Oaxaca, to get different perspectives. To see, hear and learn of the passion for and dislike of this movement. But, I guess, just like many of the people of Oaxaca, I'm conflicted. I wanted normalcy for my loved ones. I just hoped it came through a change. Through a win. I'm not giving up. I know Oaxaca will see these changes. It has to. That's just what I'm going to believe. I hope that the PFP, Ruiz, and the others who used aggression and violence instead of constructive dialogue and humility, see the error of their ways. My fear, if this movement has been defeated, is that they will become more aggressive. But I'm not giving up. The right formula will be found. I have faith that there is still a strategy being developed, by APPO maybe, by another group, who knows, that will make this change happen. Oaxaca needs it. The indigenous need it. Oaxaca is a gem and it's treated like dirt by the govt. of Mexico. This has to be stopped. And I hope the rest of the world has taken notice. This struggle will conquer!
Before you say....Oh. Who cares? People in Oaxaca are just making a big deal out of nothing. They deserve everything the govt.'s given them. Consider this: Do you have to worry about your loved ones disappearing? Or being beaten/shot/snatched in/off the street for no reason? Are there procedures in place that allow you to get a fair trial in court? Do you get access to lawyers if you get arrested? Do you work your ass off and make a livable wage? Do you have to worry about your land being stolen? Does your child's school have an actual floor? Or walls? The list could go on and on and get more devastating and violating. If you can say these things are not a concern, yóu're lucky. You must not live in Oaxaca. Or Mexico for that matter. You've got it pretty easy. This movement, ambitious and imperfect simulaneously, is something we all should be paying attention to. They are us. We are them.
11.30.2006
11.27.2006
Where To Start
Sorry for lack of updates. bogged down with finals week and there is so much going on, it's hard to decide what even to post. More buildings burned yesterday. APPO gave up new encampment at Santo Domingo, due to the PFP now being stationed there. Ruiz is still an idiot and insisting nothing was happening. Even had a victory party at the park, from what I understand. He has some serious karmic returns coming his way, I'm sure. If this is what you call doing what's best for your city...well, that's just fucked. Clearly, he is being delusional. I'm not totally convinced his resignation would bring about change, or would end this...but it'd be a start. News now, or, actually, earlier today, says that PFP will try to take radio universidad again. I was there when they tried the first time. People will defend the last radio stronghold, for sure. It will get ugly. Many detained, imprisoned. Something around 300? Lists are still being accumulated. State and Municipal police have returned. When there two weeks ago, it was heavily occupied. Now...it's triple that. There's no order. And there's no safety. Civilians being picked up off the street. Meanwhile, my thoughts are with my friends, with Hector, as they try to live, day by day, through this mess. For more newsy, less-emotional, frustrated, update, check: narconews.com, oaxacapolitico.com, IndyMedia Mexico, etc. abrazos. Ciao.
11.25.2006
Pics from Oaxaca Now
Pictures are starting to show up on Flickr. Several of my flickr contacts have started uploading fotos from today. Thanks to all of them for doing this and getting the word out on what is going on. Pictures are a powerful medium to raise awareness of these atrocities happening in Oaxaca. I'm sure you have better things to do...like finding safety. Thanks for risking your safety to document these events. I'm sure videos will start to appear soon. I hope to upload as much as I can find in the next couple of days.
Quema la APPO el TSJ.
Quema la APPO el TSJ.
Originally uploaded by puntoyaparteoaxaca.
My flickr contacts have started to post photos.
Restless
It's so difficult to be sitting here in safety in PDX, putting off homework and doing other mundane things, while people in Oaxaca are running for their lives from bullets and teargas. I've been emailing friends to wish them safety...though I know it will likely be days before they will get the emails. Most of my Oaxaqueno friends rely on internet cafes, which, as things are going, will be inaccessible for days, I imagine. The hotel I stayed at during my visit two weeks ago is 1 1/2 blocks from Parque Llano....where the current showdown is occurring. I read that the PFP stormed ADO, the bus station, only 3 blocks away. For sure, the tear gas has infiltrated their courtyard. Ugh. Why is this what our world, what so-called "leaders", define as "resolution?" Force, weapons, death?!
Speechless
From OSAG listserv via IndyMedia Mexico or Oaxaca libre, unsure.
Events of the day: At one week from the conclusion of the first journey of the Other Campaign's Sixth Commission and one week until the presidential succession, today will bring the Seventh March for the removal of Ulises Ruiz in Oaxaca City. The comrade Trini returns to San Salvador Atenco to continue the struggle. At the Santiaguito prison, a day of protest for the repression, torture, rape, the imprisonment, the expulsion for the country and the persecution that the detained women lived in Atenco the third and fourth days of May this year.
22:09 A drive-by shooting lasted two minutes near the Faculy of Medicine. They came in trucks from which they shot. Screams were heard.
21:36 They are asking people from Mexico City to retreat to university city.
21:35 Six pick-up trucks of PFP are heading toward 5 senores.
21:35 The comrades that find themselves in the center of the city retreat and look for a secure place, that they knock on people's doors, that they knock on the church doors because the army is going to enter.
21:34 Oaxaca's Radio Universidad: "The comrades that stayed in the city center, look for refuge and check in with families."
21:33 They are asking people to not go out in isolated groups, only in large groups. That they look for refuge in homes.
21:32 Near the Fortin Mountain, in the neighborhood of Casca, there are 3,000 members of the PFP. They are torturing people and putting them into trucks.
21:24 The people of Neza City are are calling for solidarity with Oaxaca that tomorrow people leave to protest against the massacre that is being carried out now.
21:22 From the ____ neighborhood the police are coming and taking away people indiscriminately.
21:21 The PRIistas are reorganizing themselves in the Siete Regiones fountains.
21:18 5 large trucks fulls of armed PFP's left Channel 9, they are probably going to do rounds to kidnap people near there.
21:14 Workers from the Other Campaign are inviting people to concnetrate in the encampment outside the Senate in Mexico City.
21:10 Radio Universidad is calling for people to retreat to the university.
21:08 The government is warning APPO that if it continue its peaceful protest that the army will enter to massacre the population, a message that the government made arrive through higher ups in the catholic church
21:05 The People's Popular Assembly of Oaxaca is asking people to retreat.
21:03 In the Social Security hospital that police dressed in lab coats are tending to the victims (waiting for confirmation)
20:58 Police dressed as civilians attacked the bus station. The tourists and the people that were there ran looking for shelter.
20:57 At Avenida Chapultepc, they are arresting and beating people.
20:56 Radio Universidad reports that nearby the Social Security building, the police are beating and arresting people.
20:54 At Avenida Chapultepc (Oaxaca) they are burning cars and buses.
20:48 In the restaurant "El Biche Pobre" there are civilian dressed police.
20:56 The PFP is ransacking houses
20:39 Radio Universidad is asking people to punch holes in the tires of police cruisers to demobilize them.
20:37 It is reported that the secretary of foreign relations building is being burned down in Oaxaca City.
20:36 They are calling for the people of the world to protest in front of the embassies and Mexican consulates around the globe to stop this massacre.
20:35 The churches in the center of Oaxaca are closed.
20:33 They are asking people to open their doors for the people that are being attacked by the PFP. A maasacre is unfolding in Oaxaca..
20:32 Four trucks of the PFP are leaving the Benito Juarez stadium. They are reporting also 20 buses of federal preventative police heading toward the center.
20:32 They are calling for people to no scatter themselves.
20:32 The PFP is moving toward the ADO bus station. They are going with tanks.
20:29 In El Llano, they have taken away 8 comrades. The PFP is shooting directly at the people. There are many people injured.
20:26 There's a fire in the legislative palace of Oaxaca. The palace can be found in the center of siege that the PFP maintained in the zocalo. It can be concluded that only the PFP could have caused the fire. Another fire is found in the secretary of foreign relations building.
20:20 The person injured by a gunshot in the leg is stable, but there are many arrested individuals and other gravely injured people. There are burning cars that are exploding.
20:17 The confrontation with the PFP continues. The PFP is still shooting off tear gas. The local police is shooting live ammunition.
20:15 Near Avenida Ferrocarril, there are 10 trucks of PFP's circulation. They are making a call to put up barricades at this avenue.
20:08 In the corner of Alcala and Abasolo, the PFP returned. Four shots were heard.
19:55 They are making a call for reinforcements, to rescue the streets. Bring vinegar. From red taxis they are throwing gas.
19:52 They are asking people to bring food, drinks and vinegar to the places where people are being assaulted. They are soliciting medical help as well.
19:51 They have mounted a barricade near the social security building in Oaxaca City.
19:48 An on-air report through Radio Universidad from the security commission of the APPO: that the people in the southern part of Santo Domingo regroup and threaten the PFP in the northern section so that they leave the comrades in peace.
19:48 The people are joining up in Av. Ninos Heroes de Chapultepec.
19:47 At the Cinco Senores barricade, provocateurs on motorcycle set afire two buses.
19:47 Mr. Taurino Ojeda, 45, was injured by a bullet in his left leg.
19:46 Oaxaca's Radio Universidad is calling for the people of Oaxaca to take to the streets. The protesters are surrounded in the center of Oaxaca and the PFP is shooting with firearms.
Update: PFP Attack on Oaxaca
I was listening to Doctora Bertha on the radio, but the speech is too quick for me to translate. OSAG contributor posted translations of the calls for help from the radio universidad. I can't believe this. Keep Oaxaca in your hearts. This is madness. This is full-on aggression towards the people of Oaxaca. The two movements when I was there two weeks ago, by the PFP, sound nothing like what is happening now. APPO has been able to fight back and force retreat in the past. The PFP are now using firearms against the people of Oaxaca.
From OSAG Contributor:
RU of Oaxaca: in this moment on Avenue of Ferrocarril there is a whle
bunch of federal police (PFP) and miniterial police pickups.
20:23 Radio Universidad de Oaxaca: En este momeNto sobre Avenida del
Ferrocarril una gran cantidad de camionetas de la policia federal
preve´ntiva y de la policia mi´nisterial
Contiuing confrontations with the PFP, firing tear gas. The ministerial
police are firing (reports by telephone from Oaxaca).
Siguen los enfrentamientos con la PFP, sigue arrojando gases. La policia
ministerial está disparando (reporte telefónico desde oaxaca)
Mark: the (fire) NN-EAST/Este of Santo Domingo is changing from white in
black smoke too. Then the 4th one I haven't reported yet, is more
Nort-East(este) of Santo Domingo and a bit further away. So APPO seems
to be at Garcia Civil. Garcia Civil y Bravo (= prolongacion de Abasolo.
Then a lot of windows breaking, or something. I have to go; teargas
There is deaths and disappeared. (RU)
The wounded from a bullet to the leg is in stable condition, but there
are detained and others that are gravely wounded. There is cars burning
and exploding.
El herido de bala en la pierna está estable, pero hay detenidos y
otros heridos graves. Hay autos quemados explotando.
In the open area they have taken 8 compañeros. The PFP are firing
directly at people. Ther eis many wounded.
20:27 en el llano se han llevado a 8 compañeros. La PFP está
disparando de manera directa contra la genTe. Hay muchas personas
heridas
There are dead. The Oaxaca legislative palace and the secretary of
external relations are burning.
20:27 hay muertos. El palacio legislativo de Oaxaca y la secretaria de
relaciones exteriores se estan incendiando.
Calls for people to open the doors of their houses and to allow people
to seek refuge from the attacks by police.
20:31 Se llama a la gente para que abra las puertas de sus casas y deje
entrar a la gente que está siendo atacada por la policía
The PFP are close to the bus station, with tanks. They are calls from RU
for people to not disperse. Four trucks are leaving the benito Juarez
stadium, and they are reporting that 20 more trucks of the PFP are
heading towards the center.
20:32 los pefepos ya van por el ADO, van con tanquetas. Se llama a la
gente a no estar dispersa. 4 CAMIONES DE LA PFP están saliendo del
estadio Benito Juárez, se reportan también 20 camiones con
policías federales preventivos rumbo al centro.
The churches in the downtpwn center are closed. There is a call for
people of the world to demonstrate in front of the mexican embassies and
consulates to stop this massacre.
20:35 las iglesias del centro de oaxaca están cerradas. Se llama a la
gente en el mundo a manifestarse frente a las embajas y consulados
mexicanos en el mundo para parar esta matanza
Radio U calls to puncture tires of police patrols to inmobilze them.
Radio Universidad llama a ponchar llantas a las patrullas para
inmovilizarlas
There are house searches (report via MSN from Oaxaca)
20:46 Hay cateos de casas (reporte vía msn desde oax)
In the social security hospital (IMSS) police dressed in white are
arresting the wounded.
21:03 en el hospital del seguro social policías vestidos con bata
blanca estarían deteniendo a los heridos.
APPO is asking the people to retire, move away.
21:05 La asamblea popular de pueblos de oaxaca pide a la gente que se
repliegue.
Interior ministry warns APPO that either the protest stays peaceful or
the army will enter and massacre the population, This message was
transmitted through Chruch offcials (after they heard RU calls for
insurrection).
21:08 Gobernación lanza advertencia a la APPO que o sigue todo como
protesta pacífica o entrará el ejército a masacrar con armas a
la población, mensaje que gobernación hizo llegar a la APPO por
medio de jerarcas de la iglesia católica.
APPO report on Narco News
Offensive by the Federal Preventive Police Against the People of Oaxaca
Confrontation Continues Between the Police and the APPO in Different Parts of the City
By the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO)
The Other Oaxaca
November 25, 2006
A large number of people are reported detained in various parts of the city. Two deaths are the result of the confrontation. (as of 9:33)
The federal police began, around 5pm, to attack the members of the APPO that were peacefully demonstration in the areas around the zocalo. These aggressions caused the conflict that is still continuing between the police and the members of the APPO and its supporters.
The streets of the historic center area battle ground and the federal police began to discharge fire arms against the protesters about an hour ago. The ministerial police of the state of Oaxaca and the federal preventative forces are investigating in order to apprehend in some part of the city, such as in el Llano, Crespo street and the market Central de Abastos as well as in other parts.
Approximately 40 people are reported detained, 20 of them women. There are various injured people, one of whom is gravely hurt.
Up until now we have the information that two compañeros have lost their lives due to the aggressions, although their identities have not been confirmed.
At the moment the offices of exterior relations (immigration) that are located in Pino Suarez and the offices of the police that are located in Juarez Avenue are on fire.
The Federal Preventive Police together with the state police have unleashed an offensive against the social movement of Oaxaca. The confrontations have arrived to the area around ADO (a bus station) and the hospital IMSS which is located in the street Ninos Heroes.
The APPO has information that because of these recent events the Mexican Army is in Maximum Alert.
Santo Domingo, headquarters of the APPO’s planton (camps in the city’s center) has been removed by the federal police after being taken over by them.
Faced with this offensive against the people and in order to avoid more bloodshed the APPO has decided to retreat.
We demand the punishment of Felipe Calderón, Vicente Fox, Ulises Ruiz for this massacre that is being carried out against the people of Oaxaca.
We call to all of the peoples of Mexico and of the World to carry out mobilizations demanding that this aggression ends.
Punish the murders
Freedom to political prisoners
Long live the heroic people of Oaxaca
APPO
Right Now In Oaxaca: Major Battle Underway
Today's peaceful megamarch by APPO has turned deadly. APPO promised a peaceful march and made plans to keep the anarchists at bay. Speculation is that failed, or porros instigated all this. Don't know. Trying to figure out what's going on. All I know is that the assault by PFP continues and some are reported wounded. The battle is in its 3rd hour. Just looked at noticias oaxaca and saw that a building I just took a picture of two weeks ago is on fire. Ironically, it's a picture I've been playing around with as background for a new banner on this site. It's now on fire. Reports of rocket launchers, tear gas, water cannons and guns being used by PFP. Radio Universidad is calling for everyone to come help and that currently, the protesters are surrounded by the PFP in the zocalo...this after PFP took Santo Domingo. OSAG members are emailing all news sites to alert them to the events. MSN/Mexico is already covering it. Sorry to my non Spanish-speaking friends. But I don't have time to translate this. Babel Fish tool in left column should help. Please keep Oaxaca in your thoughts right now!
From MSN/MX:
Inicia marcha de la APPO y maestros de Oaxaca
Santa María Coyotepec, Oax., 25 Nov (Notimex).- Con una hora y media de retraso, la marcha convocada por la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO) partió hace unos momentos de este municipio rumbo al Centro Histórico de la capital del estado.
Encabezada por maestros de la Sección 22 del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), la manifestación es acompañada por las organizaciones sociales que conforman la APPO, y en la vanguardia está el profesor Erangelio Mendoza González, recientemente liberado.
Aunque al momento de la partida del contingente eran menos de cinco mil personas, a lo largo de la carretera Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido los esperan numerosos grupos, quienes se sumarán paulatinamente a la marcha.
Al municipio también llegaron grupos de jóvenes con el rostro cubierto con paliacates y pasamontañas, quienes portaban resorteras,bazucas hechizas de PVC, botellas de agua y Coca Cola.
También se sumaron trabajadores de la Sección 35 del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores del Sector Salud, del Sindicato de Trabajadores y Empleados de la Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO), colonos y organizaciones sociales de la APPO.
En tanto, en el marco de los preparativos de esta manifestación, se registró ayer una balacera en la colonia Reforma, donde se realizaba una ceremonia conmemorativa del Día Internacional de la No Violencia hacia las Mujeres, sin que hubiera lesionados y quemando un auto particular, propiedad de un funcionario del Registro Civil.
Al momento de la salida de la manifestación, ninguna autoridad estatal había confirmado oficialmente la detención de César Mateos Benitez, dirigente de la APPO, y del diputado federal perredista, Luis Sosa Campos.
Se ubica marcha de la APPO a dos calles de cerco de la PFP.
Luego de ingresar al Centro Históricode Oaxaca, la manifestación de la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO) y del magisterio se encuentra a dos calles de donde está el cerco de la Policía Federal Preventiva (PFP).
La columna de manifestantes avanza sobre la calle de Abasolo y rodeará el Centro Histórico, para entrar de frente a donde se ubican los elementos federales, por la calle de Valerio Trujano, a un costado del ex Palacio de Gobierno, hoy Museo del Palacio.
La actividad de transeúntes en la zona continuó, pero los locales comerciales lucen semivacíos. Asimismo, algunos turistas se encuentran en medio del contingente y del cerco policiaco.
Entre el grupo de manifestantes, estaba un par de hombres a bordo de una motoneta, y uno de ellos portaba en su mano derecha una punta de varilla. Estos sujetos cruzaban y salían de entre el contingente.
Asimismo, hubo muchos motociclistas vestidos de civil que se internaron entre el contingente de la APPO.
Hace unos minutos comenzó un enfrentamiento entre los grupos radicales de la Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO) y elementos de la Policía Federal Preventiva (PFP), en las esquinas que forman las calles de Macedonio Alcalá y Morelos.
Los grupos de la APPO comenzaron a lanzar cohetones y piedras a los uniformados, quienes respondieron arrojando gas lacrimógeno a los manifestantes.
El enfrentamiento continúa y abarca cuatro calles del Centro Histórico de la capital oaxaqueña.
También se registra un incendio afuera de una tienda de música, ubicada en la esquina de las calles 5 de mayo y Matamoros.
Letter to the Consulate - Oaxaquenos of Oregon
The Organization of Oaxacan Indigenous Migrant Communities, here in the Northwest, develivered the following letter to the Mexican Consulate in Portland. Thanks to Ann, an OSAG listserv contributor, for sharing this on the listserv.
Organization of Oaxacan Indigenous Migrant Communities
OCIMO
P.O. Box 626
Gervais, OR 97206
To the Mexican Consulate in the U.S.
To the People of Oaxaca
to the people of mexico
to the people of the world
to the president of mexico, vicente fox quesada
to the loca, national, and international press
Those of us who form part of the directive of the Organization of Oaxacan Indigenous Migrant Communities, OCIMO, declare the following, with respect to the situation that exists in the state of Oaxaca:
The events that have occurred in recent months in the state of Oaxaca have concretely revealed the grave situation concerning human rights, the suspension of constitutional guarantees and the vulnerability of the people.
The lack of government makes evident, today more than ever in the state of Oaxaca that the construction of a new Social Pact is required to restore the capacity to govern, the state of law and a constitutional order in the state. The governmental action as a response to these needs has been repression and systematic violation of human rights, under the pretext of reinstating order through the use of armed force on three levels, municipal, state and federal.
The case of Oaxaca is an historic problem that concentrates offences against the Oaxacan population. The demands of social organizations, unions, human rights and non-governmental organisms have been repressed during the last two six-year terms. The violent and repressive action against the Oaxacan teachers and the intent to dislodge them June 14 and the 2nd and 3rd of November, mobilized the society behind one single demand: the removal of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz as governor of the state. This situation unleashed an extreme repression that translated into the illegal detention of leaders, armed attacks on peaceful demonstrations, criminalization of the popular movement and, as if that was not enough, the presence of armed forces in Oaxacan territory.
The state of Oaxaca, along with other states of the republic, shares with other communities of the world the grief and dissatisfaction of severe marginalization and poverty in which many communities live, and unfortunately this has been the principal reason that many have had to migrate in search of economic sustenance to the north of the country and to the United States of North America. Paradoxically, it doesn't matter to anyone when a migrant dies on the desert trying to cross the border, but the money orders they send from the United States well serve the government of Oaxaca and Mexico.
The movement of the Teachers in Oaxaca and of the Popular Assembly of the Communities of Oaxaca, APPO, is much more than a labor conflict, but a true social movement of popular character that has its origins in the poverty of the majority of the population, in the marginalization and social exclusion, in the ocean of inequality that we live, and principally, in a profoundly stratified society that considers that those who have money and power deserve them, "because it is ordained by God", "because the Indigenous are condemned to a miserable destiny by reason of birth", or simply "because they are lazy, irresponsible, drunks, etc.". Lamentably in Mexico, the major part of the privileged social groups think this way and this is their one argument for staying in power, committing fraudulent elections, sacking the country, delivering the natural resources and energy of the nation to powerful multinational corporations.
For all the above reasons we demand the following:
FIRST: We hold Ulises Ruiz and his cabinet directly responsible for the assassinations and violent actions that have occurred since the month of June through the present, including the death of the U.S. fotojournalist Bradley Roland Will, through their lack of capacity to govern and officiate a political solution to the conflict, and by their irresponsible manner continue to obstinately resist resigning or soliciting a leave as a sign of civility to ease the conflict. To the contrary he has initiated systematic repression through groups of provocateurs, hit-men, and paramilitaries.
SECOND: We also hold the government of Vicente Fox responsible for the omission of arbitration and lack of clarity in recognizing what is a social and political conflict that goes deeper than a local and labor demand. Also for refusing to take responsibility into his hands for a process of open and pluralist dialogue, leaving aside party interests and those of the highest echelons of power.
In an equal manner, the grave situation in Oaxaca corresponds to the Secretary of State, who in his lukewarm approach and double talk has prolonged the lack of solution with empty, confusing proposals, without consensus; giving the green light to Ulises Ruiz as part of the marriage of the PRI-PAN in light of the approaching transfer of power to FECAL.
THIRD: We also hold the Senate of the Republic responsible, putting it's power and party interests first it prefers to ratify the powers in Oaxaca while acknowledging there has been an authority vacuum, and by its decision there has resulted an increase in the scale of violence in the state of Oaxaca on the part of armed groups of the State Government.
For the above reasons we demand:
1. We demand the immediate departure of Ulises Ruiz as an element for easing the conflict that allows the beginning of a profound social process integral to changes in the State.
2. We reject the use of armed force as a means of solution, as this does not guarantee in any way the reestablishment of the state of law.
3. We demand the implementation of a security plan for the community and economic reactivation that permits the citizens to return to their activities.
4. We make an URGENT CALL for national and international human rights organizations to be present in vigilance, observation, documentation, monitoring, and denouncement of the human rights violations in this very difficult moment for Oaxaca; above all their presence helps to deter the loss of human life and the repression of the social movement.
5. We demand the immediate withdrawel by the Mexican Consulate of Portland of the charges against Nikki Thanos and Mateo Bernal for their right to demonstrate and free speech October 31 of 2006.
6. We make a call to the society at large to get involved and stay involved and to pay attention to every one of the occurrences that continue in the case of Oaxaca, and express your solidarity in some form. We convoke the media to fulfill their commitment to the truth, impartiality, and the dissemination of information in a responsible manner concerning the issues of these states.
Finally we hope Oaxaca today serves as motive for hope for all of us who live in diaspora.
We are a migrant community but preoccupied for the occurrences in our state.
November 20, 2006
Cordially,
The directive of OCIMO
Santiago Ventura, Adrian Zurita, Felipe Gonzalez, Cristobal Mendoza, Octavio Merecias, Leonor Vera
Not sure if this was part of the letter or added on to the posting by the contributor, but interesting information, nevertheless:
from infoshop.org
A List of US, Canadian and European Corporations Profiting from Death and Repression in Oaxaca
Here's a particularly egregious example...Rio Tinto's subsidiary Kennecott has a history of illegal uranium extraction in Oaxaca, was fined and had its license canceled yet still operates in Oaxaca.
Rio Tinto PLC
6 St James's Square
London SW1Y 4LD
United Kingdom
Tel. +44-171-9302399, Fax:
+44-171-9303249
Rio Tinto Ltd.
33rd Floor
55 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC, 3001
Australia
Tel. +61-3-92833333, Fax: +61-3-92833707
Subsidiaries:
Rio Tinto's subsidiary Kennecott was fined for illegally mining uranium in the Loxicha region in southern Mexico's Oaxaca state. Its license was canceled (in 2001). Under Mexican law, uranium extraction and processing is the sole prerogative of the state. Kennecott carried out surface exploration and drilling on three concessions in Oaxaca, named Elvira I, II and III until October 1999. (unomásuno, Dec 18, 2001) Source.
Kennecott Exploration was the subsidiary responsible and continues to have links with the state government of Oaxaca and Ulises Ruiz Ortiz.
For a brief detail, in Spanish, of Kennecott's past record in Oaxaca, Mexico: ¡Urgente! Confirman exploración de uranio en Loxicha.
Main corporate office:
Kennecott Exploration
224 N 2200 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Tel. (801) 238-2400
Fax (801) 238-2480
USA / Mexico office: (outside of Tucson, AZ)
Kennecott Exploration
10861 N Mavinee Dr # 141
Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Tel. (520) 544-8173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuum Resources Ltd., a Canadian mining corporation, which "holds in excess of 70,000 hectares of exploration ground in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Included in the property portfolio are two of the most significant past-producers of gold and silver in southern Mexico: the San Jose epithermal silver-gold deposit and the Natividad epithermal gold-silver deposit." Source: Continuum corporate site.
Management:
* Greig Hutton, P.Eng President, Director
* Lawrence A. Dick PH.D., P.GEO., Vice President Exploration, Director
* Raul Diaz Unzueta Director General, Mexico
* Robert G. McMorran Chief Financial Officer, Director
* Warren McIntyre Corporate Secretary, Director
Corporate address:
1200 - 1188 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6E 4A2
t. 604.629.0000
f. 604.669.2960
info@...
Continuum is also linked through its San Jose-Taviche mine to Foruna Silver Mines Inc., another BC, Canada based company:
Fortuna Silver Mines Inc.
Corporate Address:
355 Burrard Street, Suite 840
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 2G8
Telephone:
604 484-4085 ext. 232
Fax:
604 484-4029
Management:
Jorge A. Ganoza Durant, B.Sc. Eng.: President
Luis Ganoza Durant, B.Sc., MBA, M.Sc.: Chief Financial Officer
Jorge R. Ganoza Aicardi, B.Sc. Eng.: VP Operations
Thomas I. Vehrs, Ph.D.: VP Exploration
Simon Ridgway, Chairman: Director
Peter Thiersch, M.Sc., P.Geo.: Director
Mike Iverson: Director
Tomas Guerrero Méndez, Eng.: Director
Sally Whittall: Corporate Secretary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other corporations involved in Oaxaca through Plan Puebla Panama (source):
International Paper
Global Headquarters
6400 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38197
901-419-9000
Boise Cascade
1111 West Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 50
Boise, ID 83728
phone: 208.384.6161
International Paper Company and Boise Cascade are currently purchasing land in Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico for plantation forestry.
ENDESA (a Spanish corporate utilities group) is the principal investor in the regional energy interconnection initiative to privatize energy and develop hydroelectric dams.
ENDESA, S.A. Headquarters:
C/ Ribera del Loira, 60
(Campo de las Naciones)
28042 Madrid
Spain
Tel: (+34) 91 213 10 00
Fax: (+34) 91 563 81 81
Harken Energy, Applied Energy Services Corporation(AESC), Duke Energy, and Montgomery Watson Harza (MWH) are all U.S. energy corporations that are investing from Mexico to Panama in the development of hydroelectric dams and the privatization of the energy grid.
The headwaters for 40% of Mexico's rivers are in Oaxaca. The companies listed plan to construct hydroelectric dams and wind energy facilities, with associated relay substations, etc, that would then be siphoned out of Oaxaca and sold for a profit in a deregulated energy market in urban Mexico, Central America and north of the Rio Grande.
This is Plan Puebla Panama and NAFTA's substitution of profit development for sustainable or responsible development: currently, 35% of homes in Oaxaca have no running water, 55% have no plumbing, and 13% have no electricity, while only 38% have all three. 40% of homes in Oaxaca have dirt floors. Source: http://www.sipaz.org/.
Privatization is geared specifically to exclude the poor, which is an overwhelming percentage of Oaxaca's people: 72% of the employed population earns less than 70 pesos (aprox. $6-$7) a day.
These are some of the US energy companies responsible:
Harken Energy is also known due to a scandal involving then corporate officer George W. Bush in an incident of insider trading, just before the company stock lost a significant amount of value. Headquartered in Southlake, TX, Harken Energy continues to have close connections with George W. Bush's White House. Remind them that a diversified portfolio in Latin America means getting blood on your hands.
Harken Energy Corporate Office:
180 State Street, Ste. 200
Southlake, TX 76092
Phone: 817.424.2424
Applied Energy Services (AES) has a record of flagrantly violating air pollution standards and fixing energy markets by withholding supply and gouging prices. Class-action lawsuits have been filed regarding price gouging and withholding supply in California. It wants to expand this woeful record by spiking prices in Central America.
AESC Corporate Office:
250 Chaddick Drive
Wheeling, IL 60090
Phone: 847.537.1919
Fax: 847.537.1946
Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is fast becoming a mega-utility by acquiring smaller utilities and power facilities. It is closely linked to Plan Puebla Panama.
Duke Energy Corporate Office:
526 South Church St.
Charlotte, NC 28202-1904
(704) 594-6200
Other investors include Tribasa, Caros, GAN, ICA, Imbursa, Texas Connection, International Shipholding Corporation, Monsanto, Shell, Dow Chemical, Exxon, Shell, and Hutchinson Holdings.
11.24.2006
HTML Conundrum
Playing around with shortening my posts, making them "peekaboo." It doesn't seem to be working. I've retyped/pasted the code several times, but the "read more" link isn't showing up. Makes the page look really odd. And...well, clearly this isn't supposed to be showing up twice! although, the b:else is kinda interesting. be else what? sort of inspiring....hmmm....what else could I be? not a web designer, that's for sure.
11.22.2006
Ha!Ha!Ha! 4 more Years?! He can't be serious....Oh, but he is
Oaxaca Governor Refuses to Step Down
The Associated Press
By IOAN GRILLO
November 16, 2006
His name is scrawled on buildings and streets next to the word 'murderer.' Protesters accusing him of corruption seized the state capital for five months, and thousands of federal troops have failed to resolve the standoff. Even his own party's lawmakers want him gone.
But Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz says he'll serve out his term, which ends in 2010. The slim, mustachioed politician from the once all-powerful Institutional Revolutionary Party is an unfortunate symbol of Mexico's democratic growing pains, a throwback to old-style politics in a nation that has moved on.
He has largely ignored demonstrations that have left nine people dead, calling on the federal government to restore order while he spends four days a week zipping about in a helicopter over the rugged mountains of southern Mexico, visiting 400 villages in 18 months.
Ruiz, a native of Chalcatongo village in the heart of Mixtec Indian country, defended his administration in an interview with The Associated Press.
'I have the backing of the Oaxacan people. I have their affection,' he said.
Oaxaca, Mexico's poorest state, has been ruled by the Institutional Revolutionary Party since the party's founding in 1929. The democratic changes that have swept much of Mexico since Vicente Fox's 2000 victory ended the party's 71-year grip on the presidency have passed Oaxaca by. Poverty is profound, and many of the state's 3.5 million people lack electricity or nearby roads.
In many ways, Ruiz is no different from any past Oaxaca governor. He just happened to be in office when voters decided they were fed up.
'Oaxaca was a time bomb waiting to go off,' said protest leader Flavio Sosa. 'Ruiz was just the detonator.'
Violence in the picturesque state capital has gotten so bad that the U.S. Embassy said Wednesday it was extending a warning advising against travel to the once-popular tourist destination, where protesters have crippled the economy by building barricades and torching buses.
On Thursday, Oaxacan teachers officially returned to schoolhouses after a six-month strike against Ruiz. But only a handful of the state's 13,000 schools opened with many teachers in the capital city staying away, saying they feared assaults from pro-government thugs.
The protesters accuse the governor of rigging the 2004 election by buying votes and intimidating opponents with gun-toting thugs who have been captured on videotape firing at protesters. Ruiz denies the charges, and his attorney general, Lizbeth Cana, publicly blames 'urban guerrillas.'
During the campaign, alleged ruling party militants were photographed beating to death two supporters of Ruiz's leftist rival. The state's judicial system _ which answers to Ruiz _ hasn't produced any arrests or major leads.
The protest movement's members _ who include trade unionists, leftists, Indian groups and students _ say the problem goes deeper than electoral fraud and political violence. Ruiz, they argue, is the latest in a long line of corrupt Mexican politicians who have looked after the rich and ground down the poor.
Ruiz dedicated much of his first year in office to promoting Institutional Revolutionary Party presidential candidate Roberto Madrazo, who finished third with a mere 22 percent of the vote in July. The party has struggled to survive since, and Ruiz has been left without its usual support.
Since protesters took over Oaxaca City in June, Ruiz has been unable to get to his office most of the time _ let alone walk the streets of the historic center.
Even the arrival last month of 4,000 federal police has not guaranteed him safe passage, and on Wednesday he gave his annual government report in a taped video message rather than risk a trip to the state legislature.
Last week, when Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal demanded Ruiz pacify the state or resign, the governor shot back that Abascal should solve his own problems or resign himself.
Ironically, Mexico's democratic changes may be the only thing saving Ruiz's job. In decades past, presidents often removed controversial governors; Carlos Salinas de Gortari got rid of 16 of Mexico's 31 governors during his 1988-94 term, some of whom faced protests far less severe than those in Oaxaca.
Fox, in contrast, has been reluctant to get involved, arguing that only voters can remove elected officials from office.
'The president does not install or get rid of governors. That era has gone, and is gone forever,' said spokesman Ruben Aguilar.
Many analysts predict Ruiz will eventually fall. The federal Senate has the power to remove governors if it determines they have lost control of their state. Last month, it threw out one bill to get rid of Ruiz, but another has been presented.
'Four more years of this conflict would be disastrous,' said political analyst Jose Antonio Crespo. 'The pressure will have to break this governor in the end.'
11.21.2006
Leaning to the Left....Literally
No. That's not a political metaphor. My header/title picture is seriously off-center. I am absolutely convinced this has nothing to do with my novice attempts at html, and, in spite of me, it moves over just a few more inches everyday...Or maybe finals week has completely warped my mind and I just never noticed it before....regardless, I ain't got time to fix it! I added a new site to my links. Check it out. Starts with an E, ends with a .com. Use your smarts to figure it out. Unlike this page, nothing is off-center there and the pictures are fantastic!
11.20.2006
Hoy en Oaxaca
Today Obrador declared himself alternative president. I think more people turned out at the zocalo in D.F. than expected. I'm not sure. The media has had less and less to say about him lately. Curious where all this will go. On Dec. 1, Calderon will be declared el presidente, tambien. I guess my question is...how will this affect Oaxaca? Will Calderon treat Oaxaca differently than Fox? On Dec. 1, Ruiz will have completed dos anos as el gobierno de Oaxaca. I read somewhere that after two years, he gets to appoint successor. But that Oaxaca's law for this was three years. I can't remember. I read this while in Oaxaca and I may have it backwards. Anyway, there's something significant about that date for Ruiz, as well. I'll have to look into it. I'm surprised to see little news about events in Oaxaca today....being that it was the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Not until I talked to Hector today did I learn anything about today's events....Hoy, la policia y los protestantes habieron conflicto al planton de Santo Domingo y el zocalo. Hector wrote: the tear gas still hangs in the air thirty minutes later. *sigh* for how long will the response from the government be violence and teargas? for how long will the people of Oaxaca suffer before any change is made, before any actions are taken to resolve this? People of APPO want change, people of Oaxaca/not part of APPO, want change. The governor wants to be governor, regardless. I agree with the Bishop, who said today, this is a government here of idolatry. Or something along those lines that I took to meant that Ruiz was serving himself, not the people. Despite the desires of the people, he will forge on. While my loved one suffers. While my friends suffer. While the whole people of Oaxaca suffer. A la Chingada! anyway, por Hector: me te amo mucho! Espero por paz en Oaxaca! Pronto!
11.19.2006
U.S. Cities in Solidarity with Oaxaca
A contributor to the OSAG listserv posted this list of protests around the U.S.
Actions In Solidarity With The Oaxaca Commune:
Boston: 9:00am Tent City (Plantón) + Day of Action (Boston Common)
El Paso: 9:00am Shutdown of Mexican Consulate (901 E. San Antonio
Ave.)
Greensboro: 4:00pm Press Conference, Vigil and "El Enemigo Común"
Minneapolis: 4:00pm Solidarity Demonstration and Solidarity Gathering
New York: 1:00pm Protest at Mexican Consulate (27 East 39th St.)
Oregon: 3:00pm Solidarity events in Portland and Woodburn
Orlando, FL: 10:00am State-Wide Day of Action! (100 W. Washington St)
Philadelphia: 4:00pm Protest at the Mexican Consulate (5th and Market)
Phoenix: 10:30am Protest at Mexican Consulate (1990 W. Camelback Rd)
Pittsburgh: 8:00pm Potluck and Party to celebrate the return of two
POGers (Belvedere's in Lawrenceville)
Providence, RI: 3:00pm Defend the Oaxaca Commune! (Kennedy Plaza)
San Diego: 7:00pm Candle Vigil at Diego City College (Gorton Quad)
San Francisco: 4:00pm Converge on Mexican Consulate! (532 Folsom St.)
Santa Cruz: 12:00pm Rally for Oaxaca at UCSC (Quarry Plaza)
Syracuse: 4:30pm Oaxaca Solidarity Action (Hanover Square)
Tucson: 11:30am Protest at Mexican Consulate (553 S. Stone)
MISUNDERSTANDING?
NOWPUBLIC is an independent, open contribution news site online. I had received a request from a contributor on NOWPUBLIC, thru my Flickr account, to use one of my recent pics from Oaxaca in his story. I followed the link and checked out the story and which pic he wanted to use. When I saw the headline of the draft, "Peace Caravan into Oaxaca...", or something like that, I assumed he wanted to use one of my pictures of the PFP or the barricades. I was surprised to see it was a pic of a dia de los muertos display, but said, sure, you can use it. I figured there was probably a mention of the festivities in the article somewhere. Well, now the full article is up online, and sure enough, my pic is one of 20 or so attached. I'm a little concerned, though. I'm starting to get the impression the writer thought the pictures on the altar were commemorating men who have died during the conflict. And, well, that's a problem....because, well, that pic was taken in the lobby of Pizza Rustica! I'm pretty sure the men in the pics on the altar are relatives of the pizza parlor's owner! Crap! I am way too busy right now to have to contact this guy and clarify...but, in the spirit of accuracy, I'm adding another task to today's to-do list! ;)
MEXICAN REVOLUTION
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. A government holiday in Mexico, it signifies the day on November 20th, 1910, when a call to arms initiated the removal of Presidente Porfirio Diaz, considered a dictator to his people. This is the movement in which Emiliano Zapata came to be known as he gathered people to rise up in Morelos. History is not my best subject, so maybe this geocities.com article can explain it better:
"The "Mexican Revolution" is not an easy thing to define, even in a strictly political sense: it can easily be defined as spanning the years from 1910 through World War II, and arguably it has simply never ended, the current Zapatista movement in Chiapas and elsewhere being an extension of the same fundamental conflict.
The conflict is one concerning land and the basic livelihood of the peasants, with a layer of more typically European "Marxist" struggle existing in the cities. Mexico under Porfirio Diaz became a dictatorship that increasingly denied the rights of the poor in favor of the existing landed gentry and urban elites. This situation became unbearable and errupted into armed violence in 1910-1911, triggered by Diaz' heavy-handed behavior in the presidential elections. In 1920, the period of intensive violence ends with the ascension of Obregon to the presidential seat, after a concerted effort to negotiate a peace with the various factions. This period is the one described here, although neither the Revolution nor armed conflict for revolutionary causes had by any means ended."
In solidarity with the current people’s struggle in Oaxaca, several events are being held here in Portland, Oregon. My work and tutoring schedule prevents me from attending most of these, but I hope I can race over from Powell’s to see the APPO speaker.
Center for Intercultural Organizing
Monday, 6pm to 9pm
Guadelupe Perez will speak about his experiences as a member of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO) during its struggle to force the governor of Oaxaca to resign. This is a chance to learn more about the what is going on in Oaxaca from the persepective of someone involved in the movement. What a great way to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and the International Day of Solidarity with Oaxaca!
The Oregon Oaxaca Solidarity group also presents:
Monday Actions:
3:00: Oaxaca Solidarity Rally, Pioneer Square (Downtown Portland)
3:30: March to Mexican Consulate (1234 SW Morrison St.)
4:00: Deliver letter from OCIMO (Organizacion de Comunidades Indigenas
Migrantes de Oregon) to the Mexican Consulate
4:30: Caravan leaves from Consulate to PCUN’s Radio Revolution Event in
Woodburn!
6:00-9:00- PCUN’s Radio Revolution! celebrating KPCN-LP, their new low
powered FM station. PCUN, 300 Young St. Woodburn, OR
11.18.2006
Test Blog
Instead of continuously screwing up the layout of this blog, I decided to start a second blog where I can screw up to my heart's content! :) My test blog, E's Test Blog, (original, I know) will be my own little html playground.
My first goals:
1. Set a rotating banner. (will require lots of photoshop time)
2. Determine how to insert a background image
3. Install borders and colors for my sidebars
11.12.2006
Websites I'm Currently Enjoying
You have to check out the shorts and videos on this site.
"Roof Sex" is a must-see!
Green People: a world-wide directory to all things organic.
This Picture Takes My Breath Away
Delegates from Chiapas come to Oaxaca in Solidarity
Originally uploaded by mexicosolidarity.
This photo, titled "Delegates from Chiapas come to Oaxaca in Solidarity", was taken by one of my flickr contacts. mexicosolidarity, her profile name, has been documenting the conflict in Oaxaca for months. I rely on hers' and others' images to keep on top of the situation there when I'm here in Portland.
I just finished watching the June desalojo on video. And also the attack at the university the other day. I was inserting them into my project presentation. Though I've seen them several times, my heart always breaks to see this type of violence against Oaxaquenos occur. This photo gives one hope. Hope that peace will be restored to Oaxaca. Thanks mexicosolidarity for all your great pics!
Where's This Road Heading?
A few different things on my mind today. I'm working on the presentation about the conflict in Oaxaca. Finding words to describe it, in a tidy fashion, is incredibly difficult. Sure, you can put together a nice little summary of: annual teachers' strike occurs, desalojo occurs in june, marches occur every month, Brad Will is killed, PFP sent to Oaxaca, Radio Universidad attacked, etc. But that timeline, while important to illustrate the current situation, is only a part, maybe, honestly, a small part of the story. What about all the events that have occurred that have led to the dissatisfaction, the distrust of the government....do you throw in the years of ballot stuffing, the manipulation of votes, the payoffs, the bribes, the missing/murdered/brutalized women, political prisoners, unions, mistreatment of the indigenous, the response to the earthquake in the 80's, NAFTA???? I mean, how can you really tell the history, the emotions behind this conflict, without including all that has hurt the people of Mexico? Because, while some of that is ancient history, the pain is generational. The consequences are handed down. Without those pieces of history, do the teachers, does APPO, do the people in general of Oaxaca look crazed? Do they look like whiners? Yeah, they do. Not to me. But I've realized, by looking at the uninformed American press stories, that this is the impression that's being given. I've seen comments on forums about how the people of Oaxaca are ruining their city, about why haven't they accepted the raises offered way back when? I guess, what I've learned, is it goes beyond that. It's not about just the teachers. It's about Justice for the Past, Guarantees for the Future. So how do I educate others...on the totality?...that's what I'm pondering today.
Also pondering....what am I doing with my life?! Aarrghhh!!!! While the Oaxaca trip gave me some insight, it also left me with so many questions. I only wish I had another week there to finish my research. I'm soooo not ready to submit a practicum application. It's not possible to only intern with al migrantes. Being a state agency, they do no networking. So I have to figure out how to assist them, but also connect with International NGO's in Oaxaca. Research is proving tedious, with little answers. What is my goal? What's my project? I don't know yet, quite honestly. I thought I knew, but research in Oaxaca proved otherwise. So the quest to figure it out continues.
Last but not least. I received some upsetting news yesterday. ProMexico is pulling out of Oaxaca. It's become too dangerous. Not only is this sad news for those in the community they help...but it means that Amigos del Sol has lost one of its last remaining groups of clients. If the travel warning from the U.S. is still in effect in December, PSU will also cancel its plans for Oaxaca. No field-study this year. Amigos business is dwindling fast. Already, they have had to lay off many teachers. Losing these two client bases could be devastating to its ability to stay open. I worry about Hector.
11.07.2006
*Under Construction*
bummer. couldn't use any of the beta features with template hack i was using. had to revert back to a beta template. well, probably could have, but haven't mastered code yet. so, blah blog format for now.
Today I was talking to Naveed about poverty and homelessness. Naveed is currently in Bangalore, India, visiting his family. In India, it's not uncommon for shacks and grand homes to co-exist on the same street. The difference in class and wealth is extraordinary. In Mexico, I get the same feeling. Tourists and wealthy folk come and go past poor, indigenous families living and begging on the streets. The scene is overwhelming. I worry over what to do...how to help. I give coins to each I see, yet that solves only that day's problems, that day's need for food. What about the next? and the next after that? When will there be a solution? How is it that we can be so greedy to strive for that raise, the next IPOD, stylish clothes...while others simply wonder when they will eat next. Because we don't want to be them. Because it could be us. You never know. In Oaxaca, I bought lots of things I didn't need. And some things I didn't even like. But I wanted to help. I wanted to add to their income. I walked past a homeless family and immediately dug into my wallet. From across the street, the old woman saw me and came running, meeting me in the middle of the street. She sobbed, holding my hand in both of hers, "lo siento. lo siento." I'm sorry. I'm sorry I have to live this way. I'm sorry I have to ask for this from you. The tears spilled from my eyes. I wanted her soft, wrinkled hands to let go of mine...I didn't want or couldn't bear the truth she was giving me. I didn't want to know how hard it was. And how while each time she received these coins, she gained food, but lost pride. That moment has haunted me for days. My tears reflect hers.
11.06.2006
Leaving Oaxaca
well, it's my last day in Oaxaca. Noon flight home. I'm incredibly sad to be leaving. I'm always sad to leave. The people, the sights, the beauty, the pace...it's hard to leave behind. Despite the protests, the closures, this was a great trip and I met lots of interesting people whom I hope to stay in touch with. I wanted more cultural immmersion. And I wanted to practice my Spanish. I definitely accomplished that on this trip. I do really wish I had more time here to meet with agency staff, but with all the closures, I just ran out of time. Oh, well. I have, and have made on this trip, lots of connections, here, so my education is ongoing. Adios Oaxaca! I'll miss you! See you again in the spring!
11.05.2006
Barricada
Barricada
Originally uploaded by carieellen.
Usually the entrance to the Alameda...now blocked off again.
PFP
PFP
Originally uploaded by carieellen.
Zocalo no longer accessible. Was fun for a day, though, to see it again.
APPO Autobus
APPO Autobus
Originally uploaded by carieellen.
As Tamara and I walked by, the guy on top was beckoning us to join.
Hombres enfrente de la Linea de PFP
Hombres enfrente de la Linea de PFP
Originally uploaded by carieellen.
Barbed-Wire Barricades
not much time to blog. gotta meet Jack and Alder for breakfast at some mexican traveller's hotel that serves 30 types of waffles. one type is coconut and lime. YUK! I hate waffles.
anyway, very stressed today. Megamarch is scheduled. Thousands of people from other villages and cities have bussed in to participate. Lots of marches have happened over last 5 months, but only about 4 megamarches. When they say megamarch here, they mean a march that for the end to pass the same point as the front, it takes about 3 hours. Today will be the biggest yet. I'm very concerned. In preparation, the military flew in many more troops last night and the PFP have erected gigantic barricades of barbed-wire around the city to prevent entrance into the center by the marchers. I have a very, very bad feeling about this. Keep Oaxaquenos in your minds. Today is not going to be a good day, I don't think.
Have done lots of cool stuff here: sushi nite, dia de los muertos, chatting with locals, a mexican birthday party last night. I hope to blog about those and post pics, but since the American media doesn't tell about the horrors going on here, I hope that when I put it here I'm getting word out.
11.04.2006
Another Day, Another Story
yesterday was a strangely calm day. After teh attacks on the University, and the failure of the police to overtake the university, I guess we all expected the violence to reoccur. Word was that there would be another march, and lots of people were gathered in the plaza of Santa Domingo, but it never happened. Teh night was calm, and I heard no helicopters. Tamara and I hiked up to Alder and Ryan's house for sushi nite. From the view of their house, I saw no smoke, heard no explosions. The night was quite stormy and I think people took it as a day of rest.
Hanging out right now at Cafe Los Cuiles doing some homework. Lots of reporters are here and I got to chat a second with a woman who works for IndyMedia. In portland, i had come across her pictures on Flickr, and also daily read her updates on the OSAG(Oaxaca STudy Action Group) listserv. Interesting to chat with her and see what she thinks. She, like everyone, wonders where all this will go. Today, Ulises Ruiz gave his first interview to Foreign Press. He said he would resign under no circumstances, and said that Oaxaca is running business as usual. He must not actually be in Oaxaca. Because that statement couldn't be further from the truth. People are risking their lives to establish rights, to establish social and economic reform. Business is not as usual in Oaxaca when the city is under seige of 4,000 federal police. We'll see what happens. His party has abandoned him, the govt. has thrown out his lawsuits seeking for the recent resolutions against him by senate and congress to be thrown out, and the protestors are not giving up.
11.02.2006
Attack on Benito Juarez University
I had planned to write a long post today describing the peacefulness that has returned to Oaxaca. To tell of the festive feel that had returned to the community. And to talk more about the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations here in Oaxaca and Cojo. But the festivity was short-lived. Yesterday, during the Dia de Los Muertos holiday, shops opened, people were out on the streets and traffic was in abundant. Alder, Ryan, Tamara and I went to the Panteon Cemetery, a couple of bars, and danced until 3am. It was fantastic and the community was out celebrating the good cheer. I even got the DJ to play some Arabic dance music! I spent much of the time teaching some local guy named Noe how to dance to it. And he taught me some salsa moves. But like I said, the cheer was short-lived. The chaos has returned. Today, I awoke (quite late) to the sounds of helicopters over head again. The windows in my room were shaking. I went out to Cafe Los Cuiles to get some much-needed coffee (estaba muy cruda) and along the way, passing the new encampments at Santo Domingo, people were huddled around radios. I could hear the desperate pleas coming from the radio. "Send people. Send ambulances. Many are hurt. Several are dead. Come defend the university!" The announcer had pure terror in his voice. At Cafe Los Cuiles, I ran to the tv. The PFP was storming Universidad de Benito Juarez. They were shooting on the ground and from helicopters. They were tear-gassing the neighborhood, and in fact teargassed the cemetery that some of my pictures show that we went to last night. Protestors fought back, shooting rocket launchers, setting fires. Several burning busses caught houses on fire. At least 40 people were seriously injured and reports say some were killed. TV news showed reports of people running from their houses to get away from the tear gas. Not caring that families, little children, were inside the Panteon cemetery, the PFP teargassed the cemetery...I guess they assumed protesters were hiding inside. It was a horrible event. The PFP sought out the universidad because APPO has control of the radio station there. News reports say that the protestors were able to prevent the police from taking it over. Other news reports say that the police did take it over. It's so hard to know what's going on. It's not like you can go there and see for yourself. It's dangerous. And you could be arrested. Non-Mexican citizens are strictly forbidden to participate in anything like this. Just being nearby, you could be mistaken for participating, and be arrested. News is so scattered and so many rumors constantly exist, I really have no idea what is happening. What I do know is that the city is closed up again, and new barricades have gone up all over. Sitting here in the courtyard, I can hear the cheering from Santo Domingo. I imagine protestors have regathered there for the evening. It is their new assembly site. Today's attack on the community was worse than Sunday's, and I have no idea what to expect tomorrow. I met with Professor Jack today to discuss my internship. He gave me some great ideas and tomorrow Alder, Ryan, and some of their friends and I are meeting at Pochote, the organic market, then heading over to the migration agency. At this point, it's 50/50 whether any staff will be there, given the events of today. Discussions really require face to face meetings. These topics, like strategic planning, politics, internships....they don't occur over email. So it's not likely I will meet those goals for this trip. Time is running out. I hope that tomorrow is fruitful. I hope that tomorrow does not bring more violence. When I get a chance, I will post pics of how protestors have incorporated their messages into the Dia de Los Muertos artwork. Ciao!
