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