Monday, October 30, 2006
Sad News in Oaxaca
Hello everyone,
Last week seemed like there were hopes for a peaceful ending to the stuggle as the teachers had decided to resume classes this Monday. However, with the deaths of three people, including New York independent reporter, Brad Will on Friday, the federal troops went into the Oaxaca City today, tearing down the barricades and starting the violence no one hoped would begin.
The threats of the helicopters a few weeks ago created a tense month, but as my friend said, "pasa mucho y realmente no pasa nada" - A lot has happened, but really nothing has happened - until now, that is.
The following photos and video paint a horrific picture.
From Reuters: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/wl/101006oaxacaunrest
YouTube has several videos and I am sure more from today's events will be downloaded soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9oH3I4GH3E
En pax,
Leslie
Last week seemed like there were hopes for a peaceful ending to the stuggle as the teachers had decided to resume classes this Monday. However, with the deaths of three people, including New York independent reporter, Brad Will on Friday, the federal troops went into the Oaxaca City today, tearing down the barricades and starting the violence no one hoped would begin.
The threats of the helicopters a few weeks ago created a tense month, but as my friend said, "pasa mucho y realmente no pasa nada" - A lot has happened, but really nothing has happened - until now, that is.
The following photos and video paint a horrific picture.
From Reuters: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/wl/101006oaxacaunrest
YouTube has several videos and I am sure more from today's events will be downloaded soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9oH3I4GH3E
En pax,
Leslie
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Oaxaca update
Hello,
I wanted to give you an update on the situation in Oaxaca. Many of you have emailed questions wondering the status and as of today, the situation is very grave. For the month of September, the strike continued with more intensity. The APPO increased the numbers of barricades it set up throughout the city as literally thousands of blockades at were interspersed at corners and intersections. There has been a no negotiation stance from the APPO. The demand is that Governor Ulises Ruiz resigns. President Fox, President-elect Calderon, and PAN and PRI senators have given support to the Oaxacan governor to stay, as a resignation or impeachment would surely stir the waters in the whole country...Since Saturday government helicopters have been circling the city - signaling that the military is preparing to enter. In speaking with friends this morning, life is not "normal", but as normal as it can be with the imminent danger. The APPO is still in the streets and the people are going to work. As one friend said to me, it is not much different as when I left at the end of August, only now there are a few helicopters overhead...However, the situation is not looking good and the extreme is quickly coming. I will keep you updated as I know more.
Saludos,
Leslie
I wanted to give you an update on the situation in Oaxaca. Many of you have emailed questions wondering the status and as of today, the situation is very grave. For the month of September, the strike continued with more intensity. The APPO increased the numbers of barricades it set up throughout the city as literally thousands of blockades at were interspersed at corners and intersections. There has been a no negotiation stance from the APPO. The demand is that Governor Ulises Ruiz resigns. President Fox, President-elect Calderon, and PAN and PRI senators have given support to the Oaxacan governor to stay, as a resignation or impeachment would surely stir the waters in the whole country...Since Saturday government helicopters have been circling the city - signaling that the military is preparing to enter. In speaking with friends this morning, life is not "normal", but as normal as it can be with the imminent danger. The APPO is still in the streets and the people are going to work. As one friend said to me, it is not much different as when I left at the end of August, only now there are a few helicopters overhead...However, the situation is not looking good and the extreme is quickly coming. I will keep you updated as I know more.
Saludos,
Leslie
