Updated: Dispatch from occupied Oaxaca

Posted by Joshua Holland at 8:00 AM on October 31, 2006.

Updates in reverse chronological order.

Update: From Rochelle Gause, via e-mail late last night:

So today is day two of the federal troops entry into Oaxaca. The people put up incredible nonviolent resistance. Folks were laying in front of bulldozers and other military machinery to prevent it from entering the city. They held them off for hours. The barricades were reinforced with many people. A friend that came into town by bus on the first day said he saw a march of 2,000 people walking in to the city by foot from their rural village to show support, they were over an hour away at the time so who knows how far they walked.

Three have been killed by the police including a 12 year old. At least 36 have been arrested. At one point they were entering private homes and searching for people. They have reclaimed the center square and destroyed all the tarps and such the teachers were living under. They are blockading all entrances to the center square in at least 8 areas by standing shoulder to shoulder with full riot gear. They have cleared out some barricades but many still remain. Thousands of people responded today with three marches that came together at a local church. The teachers who have been displaced by the police are setting up a new encampment by the church. Tonight they will sleep with few blankets or tarps but tomorrow they told us reinforcements are coming.

My biggest worry right now...the main communication for the movement is a radio station at the university, the head of the university has taken a stand stating that they are autonomous and thus the federal police can't occupy the campus. Which has held them off...they have surrounded it but not entered but I worry about if that will last. They cut the electricity yesterday and the station was down but within an hour they had a generator and were back on the air!

***

Yesterday, the PFP moved in in force, breaking down the barricades and arresting at least 50. They now control the Zocalo, but some APPO leaders have pledged to return to the square. According to AP, schools were supposed to open today, but no students showed up.

Here's an account from the Irish Examiner:

A 15-year-old boy was killed as police took control of a Mexican city which has been held by protesters for five months.

Officers tore down barricades and stormed the embattled city of Oaxaca yesterday.

With helicopters clattering overhead, officers entered the city from several sides. They marched up to a final metal barrier blocking the city centre, but pulled back as protesters armed with sticks attacked them from behind, hurling burning tyres.

The air filled with black smoke and tear gas.

A 15-year-old boy manning one barricade was killed by a tear gas canister, human rights worker Jesica Sanchez said.

As night fell, however, protesters decided to abandon the centre and regroup at a local university. They pledged to continue their battle to get Governor Ulises Ruiz to resign, even as police tore down the banners and tents that had served as their headquarters for months of often violent demonstrations. Protest spokesman Roberto Garcia said 50 supporters had been arrested and police were searching houses, looking for protest leaders.

Mexico's Chamber of Deputies passed a resolution by a wide majority calling on Oaxaca state governor Ulises Ruiz to resign, according to Reuters.

Stateside, there were protests in solidarity with the people of Oaxaca. People gathered at Mexican consulates in Philadelphia and New York and reportedly occupied consulates in Raleigh, NC and Indianapolis

You can download a powerful video account here (MPEG4).

***

In addition to indie journalist Brad Will, whom Deanna wrote about, at least three others were killed in violence since Friday in Oaxaca. Fears of more to come are widespread.

Rochelle Gause, an activist on the ground, gives us some background, via e-mail (photos are hers):

For the past five months a popular uprising, shaking the roots of a long held exploitive power dynamic, has been occurring in Oaxaca, Mexico, Beginning as a teacher's strike, it has grown into a full fledged popular struggle including farmers, union members, street vendors and social leaders camped 24 hours at all major government buildings, 20 rural town halls and radio stations. The movement has relied on creative nonviolent direct action to stop the state government from functioning and to demand the resignation of the current Governor, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

This massive social movement, called the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO), set up roadblocks and blockades around the center of Oaxaca. The protesters have called for dialogue to end the crisis, but the resignation of Ruiz -- whom most believe came to power in a fraudulent election -- is non-negotiable.

Section 22 of the National Union of Education Workers has been a powerful force working for social justice state-wide for 26 years. Each year the union has held a strike during which teachers from all over the state descend on Oaxaca City to make their demands for the following school year. They remain camped out in the center square, or Zócalo, until a suitable compromise is reached with the government. This year, rather than continue negotiation the government chose repression. At 4:30 a.m. on June 14th while the teachers and their families were sleeping, over 1000 state police raided the encampment, burned the teacher's belongings, injured 100 people and fired teargas into the crowd from police helicopters. During the attack the teachers resisted with sticks and rocks, reclaiming the square later the same day.

Immediately after the government repression, APPO was formed by the 350 organizations that mobilized alongside the teacher strike. Through hours of meetings and multiple forums this organization has come to represent not just the voice of the striking teachers but also the voice of those in the state who face oppression and injustice. The indigenous people of the region have a long history with this type of organizational structure; many municipalities are still run by the general assemblies under the traditional native customs of usos y costumbres. On November 10-12th APPO has planned a national forum to further the goals and structure of this popular governance.

Ulises Ruiz Ortiz's government issued arrest warrants for at least 80 movement "leaders," including members of the teachers' union. Five have been abducted from the street by unmarked vans, photos of two severely beaten were seen in the local news, and plain clothes state police and soldiers have killed eleven, attempting to instigate fear and intimidation. Nowhere are movement members safe from the threat of armed attack. People have been killed while handing out coffee to late night barricades, while participating in a march, and while leaving a neighborhood APPO meeting.

On Friday, a synchronized attack by PRI supporters and plain clothes state police occurred at several locations in the city and surrounding area. Four were killed by gunfire.

Here's an account by two people who were at the barricade at Santa Lucía del Camino on friday, sent by George Salzman via e-mail:

On Thursday night, Barricade Three in Santa Lucia del Camino set up a little earlier than normal. Reinforcing the barricades for Friday's day of action required more trucks and buses than usual. At times, it was a chaotic scene with camion after camion joining the barricade and people unsure of where they should go. Eventually things calmed down. Many more people than usual guarded the barricade and the tranquility of the night had many regulars taking time to lie down, if not sleep. As day broke, the barricade took on the feel of a community holiday or small block party with small children running about…

Suddenly, about a dozen people started shouting, donning masks, picking up Molotov cocktails … and cohetes (large bottle rockets typically shit out of PVC pipes the people call bazookas), and collecting rocks and sticks. A small group moved forward to see why a truck that was part of the barricade (about 200 feet away) was moving and investigate a commotion on the other side of that barricade. After advancing about 100 feet, the group spotted 150 to 200 Príistas (supporters of the authoritarian PRI party that ruled Mexico for 70 years and currently "rule" the state of Oaxaca) marching toward the barricade. The cohetes were fired into the air to warn the Príistas not to approach. The warning was ignored.

The tiny group of defenders fell back to the barricade and gathered more supplies … At the next barricade, people were banging on poles and railing to sound the alarm and rally the neighborhood to fight the Príista advance. People came out of their homes and armed themselves with sticks, machetes, metal poles, cohetes and rocks. Once a fairly large crowd had gathered several people started shouting "Vamos, compañeros, Vamos!" (Let's go) and "Avanza!" (advance). People began advancing to the fallen barricade and the Príistas, spreading out along the width of the four-lane highway, its median, and sidewalks. Both sides fired their cohetes, and as we drew nearer rocks started flying from both sides. We pushed the Príistas back passed the remnants of the now disassembled barricade. There was a lull of about thirty seconds as we populated the area around the barricade before many decided to chase the still-visible Príistas only about 100 feet away from us… Most Príistas had scattered into nearby homes and businesses, so people re-grouped back at the barricade.

As we all clustered in the intersection, the two of us looked around and estimated that there were at least 500 people ready to defend their neighborhood. We were both amazed by what we were seeing. Neither of us had ever witnessed such an incredible display of collective self-defense… The barricade reclaimed, sandbags replaced, and the Príistas pushed back, the battle appeared for a few moments, to be over.

We're unsure as to the exact reason for the second advance, but we believe that Príistas were again spotted at the next intersection where they had scattered minutes before. As we cautiously advanced, walking in cover when possible, shots were heard from the intersection and everyone ducked or ran for cover. Many corporate news outlets, most notably those relying on AP "reporter" Rebeca Romero (widely believed to be on Ulises Ruiz's payroll), have claimed it was "unclear" as to who shot first. It was the Príistas. From the ground, on the receiving end of the gunfire, there is no doubt as to who shot first. There is nothing "unclear" about it. It was the Príistas, shown by El Universal photos and local television to be armed to the teeth, who shot first.

After the shooting stopped, the group moved quickly to the other side of the road and to the corner where the shots had originated from. The attacking Príistas had retreated back away from the highway and deeper into the neighborhood. Fifty to 100 people slowly advanced north a block into the neighborhood while 200 people gradually moved up, either by going north, or approaching it from the west by way of the barricade. Again the group moved north, taking cover by vehicles parked along the street. In addition to shooters at the far end of the street, more Príistas were taking cover inside a building along the street. The building was targeted with Molotovs, rocks, bricks, and cohetes. Someone kicked the door in before Príistas down the street started shooting again and we had to retreat back to the end of the block. This gave the Príistas time to close and blockade the door. A few attempts with similar results gave way to milling about, as we waited for reinforcements. One block west towards the barricade, about 100 people had gathered to take cover from additional Príistas on that street. Soon we heard a truck roar to life and a few minutes later, compañeros in a dump truck came to provide shielding for another advance. In the first such advance, the truck went too far down the road, shooting started again, at which point we fell back to the end of the block. Most waited there while the truck maneuvered itself horizontally across the street in front of the gate of the targeted building. Once the truck was ready, another advance began and the truck smashed open the gate. Another round of shooting began, and again everyone took cover and began to withdraw.

At this point, Brad Will, an Indymedia reporter from New York, was shot in the abdomen as he was filming. Many people ran to carry him around the block and down the street. As we waited for a car to arrive to take him to the hospital, efforts were made to keep him conscious and breathing, including CPR. As Brad showed signs of consciousness and movement, the crowd surrounding him cheered. He was carried into a car and driven to the hospital. Moments later, as people were still taking in what happened, it started to rain. People gathered up the Molotovs and cohetes and got them out of the rain. About a half hour later, people started to gradually head back to the barricade. […]

As of this writing, the Príistas have set up their own barricades within the neighborhood, APPO has activated the mobile brigades, 4 or 5 people have died, dozens injured, and barricade 3 remains up, reinforced, and alert. Among the attackers were local municipal police (such as Abel Santiago Zárate and Juan Carlos Soriano Velasco) and politicians/PRI thugs (such Manuel Aguilar and Pedro Carmona, the man identified as Brad Will's killer), all from the neighborhood. Though the two of us had slightly differing expectations of how the day would pan out, neither of us expected an attack of this kind or magnitude in broad daylight.

La Jornada reports (Spanish link) that two gunmen have been arrested.

Chuck Collins from the Institute for Policy Studies was living in Oaxaca when this mess started, and is following events "by the hour." He points out:

Six planes landed mid-day with PFP troops (Federal Protective Police)…who are the guys that were responsible for the Atenco botched job less than a year ago [ED: see here]. Yikes.

One thing that hasn't been reported at all in press is that there are now only two radio stations operating in Oaxaca. Radio Universidad which was a target of yesterday's attack (Radio APPO in Reforma was successfully blocked and APPO abandoned it this week) and "Radio Ciudadana", a supposed 'pirate' radio station that is dedicated to calling on citizens to open schools and go out and dismantle the barricades (meaning anti-APPO force).

In August, a protester occupying one of the city's radio stations was killed by masked gunman in plain clothes.

There was a small article that mentioned that the station is being run by functionaries of the state department of communications, which they deny. All the other commercial radio stations on AM and FM have been off the air since Thursday, supposedly out of fear that APPO will take them over, but really to increase the impact of Radio Ciudadana.

On Radio Universitaria right now they are fielding numerous reports of PFP forces that are already on outskirts of Oaxaca. They are calling on people to block the entire city with cars and trucks to slow down PFP. APPO is treating this as an occupation and are reporting that PFP is coordinating with the same local and state police that planned yesterday's attack. Lizbeth Cana the state PGR has come out and said that APPO was behind yesterday's attacks.

No one knows if PFP will place itself between the police and paramilitaries and APPO or whether they will begin an action to clear out the barricades. Fox has acted quickly since Brad's murder but without any clarity about the purpose of the PFP's presence.

APPO has told the police to stay out of the center of Oaxaca.

Here's what's going on today, via an e-mail from Rochelle:

So helicopters have been flying over Oaxaca all morning, one is overhead right now. Thousands of Federal Preventative Police (PFP) have arrived by plane and bus to the areas surrounding the city. According to the radio there are groups of police gathered at four locations. They are surrounded by local residents attempting to prevent them from advancing on the people. The police have some large vehicles and 16 water cannons.

The Mexican Interior Department issued a statement demanding protesters "immediately hand over streets, plazas, public buildings and private property."

APPO is standing strong and condemning the intervention of the federal police. They released a statement yesterday making it clear that they are open to dialogue but will not agree to leaving the barricades, that the demand for the Governor to step down is non negotiable and that they will resist nonviolently.

The radio is calling for all people to go out to the streets, and fortify the barricades. Call for all to come: women with cacerolas (pots and pans), carrying white flowers if possible, some women are painting white the palms of their hands, to indicate they want a non-violent resolution.

There is a march planned at 2pm. If repression hits here today there will be an opposition mounted to the inauguration of Calderon December 1.

The Mexican government has shown in the past to be sensitive about its international reputation. Please e-mail or fax the following officials to let them know you oppose the use of violence against a popular movement, and that you demand negotiations to resolve the crisis peacefully.

I'll update this post as developments warrant.

VICENTE FOX QUESADA
PRESIDENTE CONSTITUCIONAL DE MÉXICO
FAX. + 55 52 77 23 76
vicente.fox.quesada@presidencia.gob.mx

LIC. CARLOS ABASCAL CARRANZA
SECRETARIO DE GOBERNACIÓN
FAX + 55 50 93 34 14
cabascal@segob.gov.mx

DR. JOSÉ LUIS SOBERANES
PRESIDENTE DE LA COMISIÓN NACIONAL DE DERECHOS HUMANOS FAX
+ 55 56 81 71 99
correo@cndh.gob.mx

DANIEL CABEZA DE VACA
PROCURADOR GENERAL DE LA REPÚBLICA
FAX: +55 53460908
ofproc@pgr.gob.mx

LIC. ULISES RUIZ ORTÍZ
GOBERNADOR DEL ESTADO DE OAXACA
Fax: + 951 5020530
gobernador@oaxaca.gob.mx

Tagged as: protest, oaxaca, mexico

Joshua Holland is a staff writer at Alternet and a regular contributor to The Gadflyer.