The situation in Oaxaca continues to heat up. Last Friday three people including New York journalist and activist Brad Will were shot dead by members of government backed death squad (see photo below). The crisis started, when Oaxaca governor Ulises Ruiz quelled protests after he allegedly stole the last election outcome in his state. A raid on a teachers' demonstration in the local Zocalo started riots, which still go on. Brad was a videographer for Indymedia, training fellow activists in documenting police abuse during hairy situations. He had established Indymedia branches in Latin America and had been beaten once while documenting an attack on homesteaders in Brazil.
In the US there were 15 demonstrations protesting his death. The gunmen are still on the loose. In a recent development the Zapatista are mobilizing for Oaxaca. In a speech in
Chihuahua City Subcomander Marcos announced the Zapatista rebels' total support for the people of Oaxaca and summarized the situation: "As of today, the federales have killed at least three people, including a minor; left dozens injured, including several Oaxacan women; and detained dozens, who have been illegally held in military prisons." Mexico seems to be falling back into the pre-democratic days of 1970s and 1980s Latin America.
---
Brad Will's last report, when he filmed being shot
Brad Will sings at the Change You Want To See Gallery
Mexican report on Will's death and the crisis in Oaxaca
A memorial site for Brad Will with a letter of support signed by a.o. Tariq Ali, Noam Chomsky, Mike Davis, Eve Ensler, Danny Glover,Michael Moore, Mira Nair, Arundhati Roy, Alice Walker and Howard Zinn.
No comments:
Post a Comment