Autonomy for the People of Oaxaca (1 Viewer)

[W.]

Public Talk-Mexican Grassroots Resistance

DUBLIN: THURSDAY 5TH OF JULY @ 7PM IN TEACHERS CLUB
Contact Martha or Nick for more details: 0872031764 or 0872862848

Jaquelina Lopez Almazan and Jose Luis Diaz Franco, both members of the APPO-CODEP- Popular Asambly of the Oaxacan People in Mexico Will give an acccount of their sttruggle and their fight for justice and freedoom.​

AUTONOMY FOR THE PEOPLE OF OAXACA, MEXICO.

Oaxaca is a poor, rural state in the South-East of Mexico with a strong and very diverse indigenous population who have broken away from a traditionally clientelist relationship with political parties and are now demanding autonomy to run their own affairs. The state is also home to a radical branch of the national teachers’ union, and there are huge community struggles on many different issues.

In May 2006 teachers occupied the main square of Oaxaca City, seeking a wage increase to help offset massive increases in the cost of living. The state government of Ulises Ruiz responded by trying to drive them out through police repression, but the people of Oaxaca responded by taking over the city and setting up the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO). This assembly draws delegates from a large range of organisations, and one of its strengths is its emphasis on building from the bottom up, with a flexible and accountable leadership structure.

The APPO pushed for the sacking of Governor Ruiz but he managed to get and endorsement from the Federal Senate in return for his party’s backing for the neoliberal policies of the governing PAN party, which would enable him to hold on long enough to legally designate his successor without elections taking place. In November, federal militarised police began operations to take the city back, increasing the campaign of deaths, disappearances and irregular detentions that was the state government’s response to the conflict. Amazingly, the people of Oaxaca continue to resist and to defend their Assembly.

 

[plug]

what was this like? couldn't go to the talk in cork last night. was interested in going specifically because I ended up in oaxaca last october by complete chance during my holidays... the zócalo (town square) had been taken over by local groups protesting various issues, including disappearences etc. seems there had been a lot of clashes with the millitary in the weeks beforehad, although it was completely peaceful while I was there. there were burnt-out cars and barricades all over the place though, and everywhere was covered with graffiti. at the time I didn't really know much about what was going on to be honest, it was only my second day in mexico, and I half figured this was normal! until I did some reading of course...

took a couple of photos. not many, wasn't sure if it was a particularly good idea to do so. I only spent a day and a night there, but as I travelled around I met a couple of people who were there a few weeks or so afterwards; one guy was caught up in this demonstation that got really messy. I remember watching the news a few weeks after I was there; violent daytime street clashes and shootings. live. on the telly. very upsetting stuff. mostly perpetuated by groups opposing the protests. think the army eventually stepped in again and took over the centre.

anyway, between oaxaca and a lot of the stuff happening to indigenous/automomous maya communities in chiapas, méxico is one hell of a fucked up place... such a shame. it's an incredibly beautiful country, the people are amazing etc.

 

[plug]

on a lighter note, I did see a mexican guy in oaxaca walking down the street wearing an irish soccer jersey. which was kind of weird!