Feature Archives

According to Friday evening's reports from Radio APPO and other sources, paramilitaries began an assault on Oaxaca, which has been held by the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO) for over 5 months. People were killed, injured, disappeared, and hospitalized. New York City Indymedia reporter Brad Will (William Bradley Roland) was shot in the chest and killed, while Oswaldo Ramírez, photographer for Milenio Diario, has also been shot and is injured. Brad Will's Video from Friday APPO also confirmed that schoolteacher Emilio Alfonso Fabián died from three bullet wounds after an attack by shooters for Ulises Ruiz Ortiz outside the state government palace. Reportes en español: 1 | 2 | English: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 There were several protests over the weekend. People gathered Saturday at 7pm at San Francisco City Hall for a vigil for Oaxaca and the 5 people who were killed there on Friday. Photos: 1 | 2
Day of the Dead Memorial Altars: Barricade 3 | Calicanto

Read a report on the meeting with Subcomandante Marcos of the EZLN in Tijuana during the Zapatista's La Otra Campana taking place throughout Mexico.

October 23rd: Oaxacan Teachers Reject Return to School: SNTE Still on Strike!

danielsan reports from Oaxaca City, Mexico - There have been two APPO supporters killed this week: a painter and a teacher. Two autopsies filmed by human rights observers, two memorials in the Zocalo. There have been many more over the past few months, but as more time passes it seems like the violence comes in waves. They're starting to use the term "death squads" to describe the teams of out-of-uniform cops and military that are always found responsible for the shootings at the barricades or at the building occupations. There are some soldiers and cops around from time to time. Read more, photos and audio

danielsan reports from Oaxaca City, Mexico—where two protesters were shot on Oct. 13th, one fatally: "These days there is a lot of speculation and rumor, waiting for the outcome of the negotiations happening far away in Mexico City. There are propositions, leaked deals, and infinite possibilities, with some impatience, too. But nothing is concrete yet. Each side has a central demand, but at this point it isn´t clear whether a deal can be made: APPO and the people of Oaxaca have made perfectly clear that Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz cannot remain in power, since he has not been in power for several months now. Any step forward depends on his resignation, voluntary or otherwise."
Interview with an APPO supporter shot on Oct. 13th

The Federal Electoral Tribunal, the ultimate arbiter in the Mexican system to decide the validity of an election, ruled against Andres Manuel López Obrador and his army of supporters on September 5, and declared the conservative Felipe Calderón the new President of Mexico. The Tribunal took a very conservative position when they said the PRD, López Obrador’s party, had to prove to them that the vote was fraudulent, rather than the Tribunal’s undertaking its own investigation. Observers say the PRD's movement and the President are on a collision course.

Radio APPO relay

Santa Cruz IMC reporter Bradley wrote on August 29th: "Oaxaca City is almost entirely closed today... I am the only tourist staying at my hostel today... even the Zocalo is eerily quiet... The radio transmissions for Radio La Ley were cut-off sometime during the (early morning hours). Radio La Ley, a corporate radio station owned by ... Clear Channel, was recently taken over in solidarity with Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca (APPO). Approximately three radio stations are still in the hands of APPO and its supporters. A "MegaMarcha" will be held on September 1st."
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Slideshow

Paramilitaries and police in Oaxaca have begun a violent campaign to shut down all media operations that are in opposition to PRI governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, and to silence the people's movement, APPO, which has taken over governing the state. The television station that several hundred women had taken over on August 1st was invaded by police forces on August 21st and damaged beyond use. Radio station towers have also been attacked. Protesters have been shot in the streets by police or military forces who refuse to identify themselves. People in Oaxaca are calling for international solidarity: "Organize a protest at your local Mexican consulate or contact the... responsible individuals and let them know the whole world is watching."