SCCTV: Revolt and Repression in Oaxaca

Voices From The Village
Santa Cruz Community Television
Channel 27

Sunday, November 12, 2006
7:00-8:00 p.m.

Our show for November 12:
Revolt and Repression in Oaxaca

Hosts:
Louis LaFortune
George Cadman

We will get an update on the situation in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The teachers’ strike in Oaxaca began months ago. After their salary demands were refused by Oaxaca governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, a tent city was established in the Historic Center of Ciudad Oaxaca (Oaxaca City). Other protesters joined the teachers, eventually taking control of the city and the radio stations. They have organized an umbrella group, APPO (Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca). Ruiz has taken a hard line against the teachers, refusing to negotiate with them. He has sent a force of militarized police (the PFP—Federal Preventive Police) to retake the city from the protesters. To date, ten people have died in the unrest.

On Friday, October 29, independent journalist Brad Will was shot and killed while reporting from Oaxaca. The killers are believed to be pro-government gunmen. Two men have been arrested in connection with the killing. The police have taken control of some areas of the city, though they have relinquished control of the university to the protesters. Resistance to the police presence continues. The teachers and their supporters are demanding that Ruiz step down. His party, the PRI, is supporting him, along with
the conservative PAN. The liberal PRD is calling for his resignation. The legislature has the power to remove him if it is determined that he cannot govern.

For more information:

http://www.tnimc.org/feature/display/16156

http://www.oaxacarevolt.org/

http://www.narconews.com/Issue43/article2293.html

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1103-08.htm