Indigenous Communities and Human Rights Organizations Warned State and Federal Governments of Threats, but Authorities Failed to Act

By Al Giordano
The Other Journalism with the Other Campaign in Chiapas

November 13, 2006

Today, Monday, November 13, presumed paramilitaries committed a massacre in the Montes Azules jungle region of Chiapas, killing nine indigenous women and men and two children.

from The Narco News Bulletin: Reporting on the Drug War and Democracy in Latin America

for the full article go to http://www.narconews.com/Issue43/article2339.html

http://chiapas.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=138284

Hundreds of thousands of Oaxacans marched with the Oaxacan People’s Assembly (APPO in Spanish) on Nov. 5 to demand the resignation of Governor Ulises Ruiz for the sixth time. Tensions before the march ran high in the wake of last week’s failed attempt by the Federal Preventative Police (PFP) to overtake the University of Oaxaca radio station.

Five members of the resistance movement were detained for no apparent reason by persons unknown and taken to an unknown location. A familiar pattern has been established in recent days; ruling party thugs or federal troops seize individuals and take them to ‘safe houses’ where they are tortured for several days before turning up at one of several state prisons.The battle of Oaxaca entered its 171st day today (Tuesday) with five more casualties, two marches and a fresh push for dialogue. Five members of the resistance movement were detained for no apparent reason by persons unknown and taken to an unknown location. A familiar pattern has been established in recent days; ruling party thugs or federal troops seize individuals and take them to ‘safe houses’ where they are tortured for several days before turning up at onThe battle of Oaxaca entered its 171st day today (Tuesday) with five more casualties, two marches and a fresh push for dialogue. Five members of the resistance movement were detained for no apparent reason by persons unknown and taken to an unknown location. A familiar pattern has been established in recent days; ruling party thugs or federal troops seize individuals and take them to ‘safe houses’ where they are tortured for several days before turning up at one of several state prisons.

At some point the state government ‘generously’ offers to release the hostages as a ‘goodwill’ gesture to promote ‘dialogue’. This charade is repeated daily in an attempt to shift attention away from political demands and reduce the conflict to a matter of crime and punishment.
e of several state prisons.

At some point the state government ‘generously’ offers to release the hostages as a ‘goodwill’ gesture to promote ‘dialogue’. This charade is repeated daily in an attempt to shift attention away from political demands and reduce the conflict to a matter of crime and punishment.

Cercas de 4000 mujeres Oaxaqueñas marcharon desde la Fuente de 7 Regiones hasta la iglesia de Santo Domingo via el Zócalo de Oaxaca. Las mujeres echaron consignas durante los varios kilometros de caminata que hicieron. En un momento dado las mujeres enfrentaron con las PFP en varias de las entradas del Zócalo, echandoles flores y gritos de ¨asesinos¨. La PFP respondio regresando naranjas, canicas, y hasta tiraron agua de alta presion de uno de los tanques que tienen ocupando el Zócalo capitalino. Las mujeres exigieron la salida inmediata de Ulises Ruiz y la PFP de Oaxaca

http://chiapas.indymedia.org/display.php3?article_id=138838

Sr. Vicente Fox Quesada
October 27th, 2006

Presidente de la Republica de México
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos Casa Miguel Alemán
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850
Distrito Federal, México

Mr. President Fox,

As citizens of Mexico and the World, concerned about social justice and the respect of human rights, we respectfully request that you and your administration resolve the current conflict in Oaxaca through peaceful and rational means.

From California, we watch the events in Oaxaca with deep concern. We are worried by the multiple recent attacks by armed groups on the barricades of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca; we are disturbed by the current contradictory repression by the Preventive Federal Police and the military presence in the state to silence those who protest against repression and the conditions of state terror maintained by the government of Oaxaca.

We believe it is not possible to talk about the “reestablishment of the rule of law” in the context of actions by “porros” and paramilitaries at the service of the state government and the violation of human rights. As academics, representatives of social organizations, parents and citizens fighting for social justice, we understand the importance of returning to school and the reestablishment of social peace. We believe that this can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiations, and not through the violent repression of a civil and peaceful movement whose complaints have the wide support of the Oaxacan society and reflect the economic, political and social backwardness of the state.

Taking into consideration article 39 of the Mexican constitution, which establishes that “the people have the unalienable right to alter and modify the form of their government at any time,” we do not understand why the governor of this state is supported through violent means, while the state demonstrates democratic deficiencies, institutional voids and social backwardness. During his mandate, this governor killed more than 39 social fighters including Brad Will, an American independent news reporter, and jailed more than 200 community organizers. He also rerouted thousands of millions of pesos destined for public health, housing, and education, into the political campaign of his presidential candidate, the construction of his mansions and the support and backing of his business. We do not understand the rational and humanitarian logic that defends this untouchable authoritarianism, this shared corruption, this celebrated imposition and gangsterism as a style of government.

Thus, we request the following:

• The immediate withdrawal of the Mexican army and the Preventive Federal Police.
• The release of all political prisoners.
• Justice for those killed and the immediate apprehension and punishment of those responsible for the murders.
• The immediate departure of Governor Ulises Ruiz from his post, as per the wish of the Oaxacan society.
• Education as means toward peace.
• An immediate response to our demands by the Mexican government.

We ask that the federal government act with logical coherence. Order that is imposed by force can only be ephemeral. In its heightened level of awareness, the global community is no longer willing to accept unsubstantiated talk and double standards, but demands that authority walk the talk and teach through example rather than words.

Sincerely,


1 Francisco Ramos Stierle, estudiante de doctorado en Astrofísica, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
2 Dr. José María Rabasa, jefe del departamento de Español y Portugués, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
3 Dr. Manuel Callahan, profesor departamento de Ethnic Studies, Humboldt State University.
4 Adrian Carrasco Zanini, a nombre del Media Studies Program, New College of California
5 Dr. Ignacio Valero, profesor de humanidades, California College of the Arts..
6 Alejandro Reyes Arias, estudiante de doctorado en Literatura Latinoamericana, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
7 Carlos Bazúa Morales, Estudiante de doctorado en Antropología, Universidad de California en Merced.
8 Dr. Alex Saragoza, profesor departamento de ethnic studies, Universidad de California en Berkeley
9 Dr. Estelle Tarica, Associate Professor Español y Portugués, Chair, Latin American Studies Program, Universidad de California en Berkeley
10 Heriberto Avelino, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
11 Dr. Louis Segal, Lecturer in Latin American Studies, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
12 Alan Jose, estudiante de Doctorado en Español y Cine, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
13 Roberto Hernández, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
14 Dr. Milena Britto de Queiroz, profesora de Doctorado en Español y Portugués, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
15 Andrea Ramos Stierle, estudiante de Etnología, Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia.
16 Daniel Joseph Nemser, estudiante de doctorado en Literatura, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
17 Adriana Cruz-Manjarrez, Universidad de California Los Ángeles.
18 Concepción Corona Vázquez. Ciudad de México.
19 Dr. Victor Ramos Plascencia. Ciudad de México.
20 Magalí Rabasa, estudiante de doctorado Estudios Culturales, Universidad de California en Davis.
21 Dr. Robert McKee Irwin, Associate Professor departamento Español, Universidad de California en Davis.
22 Nefertiti Kelley-Farias, Media Coord./AssistDeputy Director, California-Mexico Health Initiative, California Policy Research Center, University of California Office of the President.
23 Camila Piñeiro Harnecker, estudiante de maestría en Estudios Latinoamericanos, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
24 Terry Kelley Farias, estudios Latinoamericanos, Universidad de California en Berkeley. Integrante de Ideas del Cambio A.C. Mexico. Representante de la Comunidad para Monument Community Partnership en Concord, California.
25 Carina Vance, estudiante de maestria en Salud Publica, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
26 Anna Zalik, Ciriacy Wantrup Postdoctoral Fellow in Natural Resource Studies, Departmento de Geografía, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
27 Dr. Leandro Colling, professor do departamento de Comunicação da Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brasil
28 Veronica Montes, estudiante de doctorado en sociologia de la Universidad de California en Santa Barbara
29 Agustin Palacios, estudiante de doctorado en Estudios Etnicos Universidad de California en Berkeley.
30 Dr. Diana Pei Wu, Environmental Science, Policy & Management, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
31 Mark Healey, profesor de historia, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
32 Orlanda Azevedo, Lectora de Portugues, Universidad de California en Berkeley
33 Dr. Sirena Pellarolo, Profesora California State, University Northridge
34 Valeria Brabata González, estudiante de maestría en políticas públicas, Goldman School of Public Policy, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
35 María del Carmen Arjona Camacho, estudiante de la Maestría en Salud Pública, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
36 Oscar A. Rosas Jaimes, estudiante de doctorado en Ingeniería de Control, UNAM. Profesor Visitante en U.C. Berkeley.
37 Ilse Ruiz Mercado, estudiante de doctorado en Sistemas de Ingeneria Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
38 Layda Negrete, estudiante en el Programa Doctoral de Politicas Publicas, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
39 Daniel Lebrija, Instituto Multicultural, Berkeley, California.
40 Paola Reyes, estudiante de bachillerato en psicología, Wellesley College, California.
41 Natalia Brizuela, profesora de literatura latinoamericana, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
42 Jeremias Zunguze, estudiante de maestría en Literatura Luso-Brasileña, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
43 Ernesto Tejeda Yeomans, estudiante de maestria en Estructuras, Universidad de Califormia en Berkeley.
44 Lilia Aleman Ramos, estudiante de doctorado, Universidad de CAlifornia en Riverside.
45 Elizabeth Sáenz-Ackermann, estudiante de maestría en Estudios Latinoamericanos, Universidad Estatal de San Diego, California.
46 Juan Jose Fraire Zamora, estudiente de doctorado en Evolucion, Ecologia y Biologia de Organismos, Universidad de California Riverside.
47 Heidy Sarabia, Estudiante de Doctorado, Sociologia, Universidad de Califormia en Berkeley.
48 Andrea González,Estudiante de doctorado en Antropología, Research Scholar en Universidad de California Santa Barbara
49 Dr. Herve Bouy, Postdoc en el departamento de Astronomía de Universidad de California en Berkeley.
50 FRENTE POR LA DEMOCRACIA EN MEXICO, San Francisco, California:
51 Miguel Robles, Comité Defensa del Voto, San Francisco, California.
52 Renee Saucedo, La Raza Centro Legal, San Francisco Day Labor Program, California.
53 Frank Martin del Campo, Consejo Laboral para el Avance Latinoamericano, San Francisco, California.
54 Al Rojas, Frente de Mexicanos en el Exterior, Sacramento, California.
55 Maria Ceballos, Coalicion Primero de Mayo, San Francisco, California.
56 Jose Sandoval, Voluntarios de la Comunidad, San Jose, California.
57 Maria Cristina Gutierrez, Compañeras del Barrio, Barrio Unido por una Amnistia Incondicional, San Francisco, California.
58 Alfonso Gutierrez Mendez, Frente Amplio Progresista, Los Angeles, California
59 Sabas Castellanos, Frente indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales, Coordinacion del Norte de California.
60 Antonio Ramirez, Organizacion Comite de apoyo al movimiento de los pueblos populares de Oaxaca, Santa Rosa, California.
61 Francisco Herrera, Trabajo Cultural Caminante, San Francisco, California.
62 Evelyn Barragan, Colectivo Chale, Santa Rosa, California.
63 Luis Magaña, Trbajadores Agricolas de California, Stockton, California.
64 Ted Lewis, Director del Programa de Derechos Humanos de la Organizacion Global Exchange.
65 Dra. Leslie Yerington
66 Patricia Algara, estudiante de maestria en Arquitectura de Paisajes, Universidad de California en Berkeley.
67 Prof. Nélida B. von Müller, Profesional Principal del Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Técnica de la Rep. Argentina.
68 Jorge Colaizzo, English Learner Prgram Resource Teacher, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Concord, California.
69 Alfredo Montaña Barbano, estudiante de doctorado en Astrofísica, Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica Óptica y Electrónica, Puebla, México.
70 Daniel Pérez Becker, Estudiante de doctorado en Física, Universidad de Califormia en Berkeley.

http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/mexico/ip/azap.html

Emiliano Zapata was born in the village of San Miguel Anencuilco in the state of Morelos on the 8th of August 1879

The son of a ’strong farmer’, Zapata grew up to become the most famous leader of the Mexican Revolution. Like Connolly or the Ladies’ Land League in Ireland, Zapata is paid much lip service by the Mexican establishment, but his revolutionary ideas are ignored by those who inherited the power won in the Revolution. A gifted organiser, Zapata also spoke Náhuatl, his local indigenous language.

Elected leader of his village in 1909, Zapata began recruiting an insurgent army even before the Revolution beginning in 1910 which overthrew the dictator Porfirio Díaz. The links between the dictatorship and the U.S.A., combined with Mexico’s colonial past, gave rise to much ‘revolutionary nationalism’ - revolution as defence of the nation - which is still a vibrant force today.

Zapata’s Liberation Army of the South did not accept the new reformist government under Francisco Madera. The Zapatistas fought on against government troops lead by Victoriano Huerta, the general who overthrew Madera in February, 1913, and was then deposed in 1914. At the following Convention in Aguascalientes, called to decide the future of Mexico, the Zapatistas demanded ‘tierra y libertad’ - land and freedom - for their people.

This was the core of Zapata’s ‘Plan de Ayala’, produced in November 1911. Clearly influenced by anarchist ideas spread in Mexico by people like Ricardo Flores Magón, Zapata demands the socialisation of land:

The lands, forests and water that have been usurped … will be immediately restored to the villages or citizens who have title to them … Because the great majority of Mexicans own nothing more than the land they walk on … one third of these properties will be expropriated … so that the villages and citizens of Mexico may obtain ejidos , sites for towns, and fields.

Zapata remained in opposition, fighting against terrible repression, until 1919. Lured to a meeting with government troops apparently mutinying against President Carranza, he was gunned down on April the 10th, 1919. Although the insurgents fought on, and Zapata’s ghost was seen to ride the hills of his native state, Morelos, the conservatives won out, and Zapata’s ideas of fair distribution of land remained ignored until the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas in the late 1930’s.

Zapata’s memory, like his ghost, rides on in Mexico. His name has been invoked by the indigenous rebel army in Chiapas, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), in their struggle against exactly the same social ills that Zapata fought against: large landlords and (often foreign-owned) big business running a corrupt and repressive régime that leaves the peasants, particularly indigenous peoples, landless and exploited. Throughout this century, people all over the world have risen up against oppression, taking heart from Zapata’s cry:

It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!

Squamish isn’t mentioned in the CBC Vancouver report but it has been quite a day for Squamolians.  Due to the heavy rain, a sewer backed up on the street behind the office this morning at about 1030 am releasing a noxious gas smell into the office.  Then the power went out in most of town for an hour and a half.  The Sea to Sky Highway (Highway 99) was closed for much of the afternoon.  I hear on the local news that the main road into Valleycliffe, our burb, is closed due to flooding.   I came home at lunch and found a flashlight, then rounded up candles and candlesticks in case the power was off for hours.  I brought E-dog with me in the car when I went back to work post-lunch.  By that time the management had decided to close the office and the power was back on.  A meeting I was scheduled to attend was not cancelled and I sustained major soakers getting out of the car.  It is still raining heavily and the wind has picked up.  People call this weather ‘the pineapple express’ - a misnomer, if you ask me.  At least skiiers will be happy as all this precipitation is snow in Whistler.