Feature Archives

On December 26th, up to 500 people died after an oil pipeline exploded in Lagos, Nigeria . It is feared the final death toll could be much higher. The explosion comes at a time when tension has been rising -- especially in the Niger Delta -- over who controls the region's vast natural resources. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer and the United States' 5th largest oil supplier.

On Wednesday, December 13th, at 7pm, there will be a solidarity event for the people of Oaxaca, Mexico at the Veterans Hall in Santa Cruz. Bilingual film screenings of Granito de Arena (Grain of Sand), a documentary of the teacher's struggle in Oaxaca and Victoria en Todos Santos (Victory in All Saints), shot on the streets during the attempted illegal takeover of Radio Universidad by the Federal Police, as well as a bilingual presentation from Miguel Zafra, a native Oaxaqueño and member of the Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales (FIOB). Read more (en español)

On November 30th, The Federal Preventative Police expanded its operations into the surrounding towns around Oaxaca City. Today they have conducted a raid into Zaalchia, 11 kilometers outside of Oaxaca City and numerous other towns. Read More

On November 29th, Radio Universidad was handed over to the administrators of Benito Juarez Autonomous University. As part of an agreement with APPO, the University will now handle security for the station. This week, outgoing Mexican President Fox said that he would use a hard hand against the movement in Oaxaca.

There was a Oaxaca reportback, November 30th, at Bound Together Books in SF. December 1st was an international day of solidarity with APPO. There was a protest at 2pm in Oaxaca. There also was an all-day protest at the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento. On December 6th, Barucha Calamity Peller, who has contributed to Indybay from Oaxaca will give a reportback "Oaxaca: Portrait of Rebellion," at 8pm at Station 40 in San Francisco.

November 27th, 2006 - B.C. Peller reports: Following the repression exerted on November 25th the federal police (PFP) has come out with statements declaring that they're patience is exhausted and that they are willing to go all out to put an end to the movement by December 1st. Read More
November 26th, 2006 - B.C. Peller reports: There are reported to be 4 different armed groups operating in Oaxaca City at the moment, PRI backed paramilitaries, the Federal Preventative Police (PFP), the state police and the Federal Investigative Police (AFI). Read More
November 25th, 2006 - radio zapote writes: Today, after the seventh megamarch in Oaxaca, members of the APPO attempted to form a human fence around the federal preventative police (PFP), but were attacked with gas. This unleashed a series of clashes with violence again igniting in the city. Many have been arrested and there are reports of many wounded, some by gunfire. It is confirmed that three people were killed.

November 25: The Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca is on its seventh mega-march with the idea of encircling the federal police who have been stationed in the center square of Oaxaca City since November 2nd. The federal police has responded with massive amounts of teargas. Report from the start of the march.
The date December 1st is looming on the horizon, as it is when the fraudulently-elected Felipe Calderon is supposed to become president of Mexico, and Oaxaca's largely-deposed Ulises Ruiz Ortiz would be eligible to appoint a new governor. With the 7th Mega-Marcha, the popular movement in Oaxaca is stepping up its organizing to maintain its autonomy.
The Cinco Señores Barricade, set up in front of the Benito Juarez Autonomous University, is the last remaining barricade in Oaxaca City. Portrait of The Last Barricade by Barucha Calamity Peller

The day after Thanksgiving is often called "Black Friday," because as people start their holiday shopping, many stores' balances move "into the black." Anti-capitalist activists call the day after Thanksgiving Buy Nothing Day. The Bay Area has a tradition of holding rowdy protests on that day. As Indian People Organzing for Change says, "Buy Nothing Day isn't just about changing your habits for one day. It's about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. Consumerism is desecrating the earth and its resources. Thousands... everywhere will take a 24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day." Events that were listed on Indybay took place in cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, and Emeryville. On Saturday, the monthly Really, Really Free Market will take over Dolores Park from 12pm to 4pm.

On Tuesday, November 21st, attorneys for jailed indymedia journalist and video blogger Josh Wolf appeared before Federal District Court Judge Alsup to argue for Josh's release from federal prison; the request was denied. This 90+ day imprisonment is believed to be unprecedented for a journalist who refuses to hand over information to a grand jury. Josh is one of dozens of US political prisoners who will not be with their loved ones for the holidays. A benefit for Josh was held at Balazo in San Francisco on December 7th.