Resistance Extends Throughout Oaxaca Against Education Reform

June 16, 2016

By Avispa Midia

“Welcome to Oaxaca” says a metal plate at the entrance to this city. A city worth knowing, with a great gastronomic and cultural diversity, colors, sounds and tastes. One of the states of Mexico with the most diversity in native languages, one of the richest in natural diversity, but also the 3rd poorest state in Mexico, according to statistics of the National Council for Evaluation of Social Development Policy (CONEVAL). Although, truth be told, there have always been two Oaxacas, the profound and everyday Oaxaca, as sold in advertising- a made-up Oaxaca offered to a wealthy sector. Today, an intense day of demonstrations throughout the entire state, the legend of “Welcome to Oaxaca” was a welcome for the federal police sent by the federal government to establish peace and order in this federal entity and “to apply the Education Reform with military methods,” says the lady and housewife, Jazmín López, who has joined the reception.

In this entry of Oaxaca for those coming from Mexico City, known as la Hacienda Blanca, (White House), teachers and residents of the surrounding settlements blocked the access and detained hundreds of trucks carrying luxury cars, goods for commercial centers, building materials and machinery. They only allowed civilian vehicles to pass.

The same reception was given in each of the four corners of Oaxaca. For example, in Istmo de Tehuantepec, 8 hours from the city of Oaxaca, at least three large barricades were erected to prevent access to the elements of the Gendarmería, a partnership created in the fight against drug trafficking.

The federal police arrived by air along the Pacific coast and with the use of tear gas, immediately tried to deter the barricades in Tehuantepec, Jalapa del Marqués and Tequisistlán, all located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region. However, the operation failed. Section 22 teachers and villagers regrouped to reinforce the resistance. At the end of the day, they added at least 9 barricades in this region. “The Istmo is a land of warriors and police will have to undergo a great struggle if they want to enter,” Professor Demetrio Bautista said.

Unable to enter land by the strong resistance and barricades in the state capital Oaxaca as well as in Istmo, the federal police have chosen to use helicopters and airplanes. This June 16th, at least three federal police aircraft landed at the “Benito Juarez” International Airport of Oaxaca, located in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán. They carried about 500 armed federal agents.

Meanwhile, the encampment in the historic center of this city has been held since May 15 and the blockade of the Freeway 190, in the district of Nochixtlan (which links Mexico City to Oaxaca), completes its fourth day today. The same takes place with the inhabitants of San Andrés Chicahuaxtla in the district of Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, as well as communities in the Southern Highlands and la Cañada, who maintain their barricades.

The blockade in Hacienda Blanca is still expected to be maintained by Friday, June 17. It’s a symbolic place where on Wednesday, June 15 riot equipment from the federal police was burned. In the same way, one prepares that during this time, a massive mobilization in Mexico City will take place, where more than 100,000 teachers are expected to join the mobilization.

The teachers’ demand remains the release of their thirteen imprisoned comrades and the suspension of dozens of arrest warrants, but above all, the total rejection of the so-called “Education Reform”.

Communication

Radio Plantón, frequency 92.1, has become critical to this resistance, because through this medium the various activities carried out in the 7 regions of this state are publicized.

It is a means of communication triangulated with various community radio stations and free and independent media platforms on the Internet, but with a constant warning that the State will pull its signal, as has happened at other times. While at the same time the mass media maintains a media war to criminalize teachers. For example, during one of the last demonstrations on June 14, where at least 90,000 education workers, parents and organizations were mobilized, was not covered by mass media.

This radio frequency has also given those against this resistance the opportunity to speak, but they are immediately turned off with dozens of calls that parents make in support of the struggle of their childrens’ teachers.

Without Transportation

The bus company Autobuses de Oriente (ADO) decided to suspend trips from Mexico City to Oaxaca and conversely, indefinitely.