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Today Y. Carrington of The Primary Contradiction talked about the political struggle and violence in Oaxaca in connection to Brad Will's death. Y. Carrington pointed me so helpfully to Brownfemipower's amazing article on the war in Oaxaca. I am quoting just a small part of this excellent post, which is an explanation and a call to action — I encourage you to click over to her blog and to read the entire entry.
Right now, there is a crisis in Oaxaca Mexico. Indigenous peoples have already spent the last five months living under the threat of military invasion by the government of Mexico. On October 27-8, the Mexican government finally followed through and sent the military into Oaxaca.
From the tribute to Brad on NYC indymedia, I found this political videoblog, Accion Afirmativa. It has statements such as this one about human rights and women's rights, and footage of political protests. And also a short statement in honor of Brad Will's life and death.
I would like to further quote brownfemipower:
All feminists MUST pay attention to what is happening in Oaxaca. Indigenous women are leading the way to female liberation . . . they are also taking the brunt of the violence liberation often brings. . .
Pay attention to what is going on in Mexico. Blog about it. Call the Mexican consulate, join in the protests that are happening all over the country–maybe even start thinking about how you might reshape your own idea of feminism. And always know that a small slice of power that the women in Mexico have is YOU. International activists/allies have the power to pressure and monitor the activities of the Mexican government. As feminists, it’s our job to put that pressure on the Mexican government. To let the indigenous women of Mexico know that they aren’t alone. Somebody is watching, somebody knows and cares they are there.
Her post includes many amazing photos of women at protests - - unarmed women facing down heavily armed police and military in riot gear. She also includes addresses for the government and human rights organizations in Mexico. I think we should know what "Todos somos Atenco" means.
Update: The protests, the military occupation, and the violence continue. Women are leading protests and stripping flowers of their petals in symbolic request for no more violence. Meanwhile, Ana Maria Salazar reports on governments across the world warning people not to travel to Oaxaca. All I can say is, if you do, bring your video camera... At the same time as tourists presumably are going elsewhere, Michoacan is sending 3000 brave teachers in support. (What would you be doing? Going or staying? With flowers, or rocks and bottles, or armor and guns? )
Here's a summary of the situation from David Sasaki of Global Voices, an eyewitness account of some rock-throwing at the barricades from two visitors from Pittsburg, and a a video from Salón Chingón. I think you can get some idea of the situation from this video though it's Spanish only - as you see the unarmed people singing and holding flowers and framed photos of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and the Mexican flag in front of hundreds of federal police lined up with huge shields and helicopters flying overhead. The woman trying to give the flower to the police is questioning whether he has a heart, or can cry. "Take it. Take it. I think you need it."
I have to go back and look for more blogs from people who live in Oaxaca. This is mostly commentary from activists & journalists. Perhaps if I start by looking for university students from specific universities. It's harder than you'd think for me to figure out where to look, so I'm hoping people will start emailing me their blog addresses.
