Police Surround Besieged Mexican City

[Breeze54]

Police Surround Besieged Mexican City

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/29/AR2006102900219.html

By MARK STEVENSON
The Associated Press
Sunday, October 29, 2006; 11:28 AM

OAXACA, Mexico --

Federal police in riot gear and armored cars took up positions on the outskirts of this southern Mexican city on Sunday,
as leftist protesters who have taken charge of the streets stood firm at their barricades of tree trunks and hijacked trucks.

The teachers whose strike over pay raises in May began the uprising in Oaxaca agreed to go back to work on Monday,
and the federal presence appeared designed to bolster law and order ahead of their return.
But some strikers and their leftist supporters were outlining plans for street-by-street resistance.


Federal Police officers stand of the entrance of Oaxaca City, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, in Mexico.
Protesters vowing to fight to the death hauled massive tree trunks and used semitrailers
to block highways leading into Oaxaca Saturday as federal police with riot shields and
rifles poured out of planes, preparing to crush five months of violent unrest.
(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) Photo Credit: AP Photo

Officials said police had begun to enter the city and remove some barricades, and reporters
saw about a half-dozen federal police trucks equipped with water cannon and bulldozer blades
moving onto a highway about 100 yards from signs that said "Welcome to Oaxaca."

Dozens of officers with riot shields and batons established a line in front of the trucks,
as protesters angrily shouted "Army out!"

"They're going to kill us. It's not fair," said Juana Garcia, a 48-year-old housewife.
"We can't do anything, we have no weapons."

More at Above Link.....

See also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=242964&mesg_id=242964

[razors edge]

1. The most chilling statement

"They're going to kill us. It's not fair," said Juana Garcia, a 48-year-old housewife.
"We can't do anything, we have no weapons."

Two things I take from that statement.

1) she regrets not having a weapon to resit.

2) she would, even as a 48 year old housewife, use a weapon to resist the imposition of force, if she had one.

Peaceful resistance is pretty much over here for these people, to this point it has brought them nothing of positive value. I believe the backlash will be violent against the police.

When a government denies access to the soap, ballot and jury boxes the only effective box left is ammo.

[billbuckhead]

2. If they had weapons the government would just use bigger weapons

Ask the Palestianians or Native Americans. Violent revolutions causes illegitimate outcomes. The good guys just need to tough it out.

[razors edge]

3. maybe you are not aware

but those bigger guns don't always produce a win if the people refuse to allow it, ask the Vietcong, Iraqis.

And just how is that strategy working well for the Palestinians, we already know how it worked out for the Indians.

Violent revolution is what started the US to begin with, or do you consider that illegitimate too?

[billbuckhead]

13. Rooting for the Vietcong are we?

Last I heard they weren't all that free. If guns made men free, Afghanistan would be the freest place in the world and Ireland would be a gulag.

[IndianaGreen]

16. Last I heard the Vietnamese were free of American bombs

landing on top of their heads.

Vietnamese won the war, get over it!

[razors edge]

22. Beats rooting for british colonialism,

We would still be subjects to this day if you had it your way.

How much is a fishing license outside the six blocks of Kabul ruled by an Exxon stooge and propped up with my tax dollars?

What are the semi verses fully automatic laws there?

What is the fine for leaving dog shit on the street?

Who is erecting walls on their boarder to keep others out, or them in?

Just exactly who do you see imposing foreign rule on them? (outside the blackwater protection zone)

You mistake a lack of modern trappings for freedom I think.

Ireland's history of freedom from foreign rule is a shining example of what submission brings. Religion had nothing to do with divide and conquer there I'm sure.

Your idea of freedom goes no deeper than the freedom to be ruled. The freedom to pay taxes to tyrants who follow no law, nor respect any man without the money to buy said respect.

[TheWatcher]

30. Building Strawmen are we?

Pathetic and transparent. Try engaging in real debate.

[saigon68]

31. Can't disagree with you more

Guns in the hands of the population make a country free

[stepnw1f]

4. You Are Right

The problem is the people in power who do not belong there. If they did, they wouldn't have a national uprising.

[razors edge]

6. At this rate

the only earth the meek will inherit will be a poisoned one. The problem may be the people in power who don't belong there, but the symptoms are dead people in the street being killed to keep those people in power.

Civil disobedience will only go so far against someone prepared to kill you.

Go down without striking back if you like, I'm sure the opposition would like that too.

[stepnw1f]

7. "Go down without striking back if you like..."

I hope you don't think that is my position. I hope the people will find the strength and courage to fight on... however it is easy for me to say since I am not there.

[razors edge]

8. Sorry, I misunderstood.

The people in Mexico have show more balls than America in standing against vote fraud and theft of office.

I don't advocate going to guns Nov. 9 if we loose, I will be highly suspicious and demand full accounting that I know we will never get.

But as our illustrious leadership is so fond of saying, "all options are on the table."

[stepnw1f]

9. The Mexicans are Inspiring

They have struggled for a very long time, and I think after these tactics used by the Mexcian government, we will see a future political sea change. Momentum has been on the rise already. The current leadership is making a dire mistake.

[razors edge]

11. But short of armed retaliation,

that changes things, the government will always be able to blame intelligence failures (we thought they had yellow cake, turned out to be yellow rake) and it will be forgotten by the next election.

[shadowknows69]

5. When are we going to have to "tough it out" in this country

when "tough it out" means being cut to pieces by machine gun fire. The Mexicans behind those barricades shame us. May the spirit of Gandhi greet them if the worst happens.

[Judi Lynn]

15. The American right-wing is the only entity with the right to self-determination,

apparently.

Everyone else will surrender or prepare to be smashed into a bloody pulp.

[Judi Lynn]

10. How on earth can these people, or the U.S. Kent State National Guardsmen

or creatures in Iraq EVER allow themselves to fall so low they would pick up weapons and shoot conspicuously unarmed people?

They should be forced to eat everyone they shoot and kill. Monsters.

From the Washington Post, which honored us all by actually sharing some of the facts ( :sarcasm: ) of the story:

A video posted by Indymedia.org showed the last minutes of footage Will shot Friday, apparently including the moment he was hit by gunfire.

In a statement, Will's family said it was "grieving over the tragic and senseless loss of Brad's life."

"Brad's friends and family admired his brave support for the downtrodden and willingness to act tirelessly upon his convictions. We believe he died doing what he loved," it said.

U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said those who shot Will may have been Oaxaca police and Mayor Manuel Martinez Feria of Santa Lucia del Camino said five men seen brandishing pistols at the time of the shooting had been turned over to authorities. He identified them as two members of Santa Lucia's city council, two of that town's police officers and a former justice of the peace from another town.
(snip/...)

Thank you, Breeze54, for posting the info.

As was mentioned in someone's earlier comments, the Indymedia was trying to do the job our corporate media should have covered themselves. He died trying to do the job they avoided which falls within their own range of responsibilities.

[Breeze54]

12. Well said, Judi!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

"As was mentioned in someone's earlier comments,
:redbox: the Indymedia was trying to do the job our coporate media should have covered themselves.

:bluebox: He died trying to do the job they avoided which falls within their own range of responsibilities."


Thank YOU! ;)

[Judi Lynn]

14. It's looking pretty grim for the protestors. They've endured so much hardship

already. Sounds as if massive government forces are moving into place this weekend, as well. I'm sure they feel they can live with the bad opinion of great numbers of people, if they choose to slaughter all the protestors, after all, governments ARE the ones with the power, aren't they?



Earlier days during the protest.



Protesters aid an injured cameraman
who was shot and later died when
clashes erupted between unidentified
gunmen and protesters demanding the
resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz
in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, on Friday.
(Eduardo Verdugo/Associated Press)

[anotherdrew]

17. October 2, 1968 Mexican Security police murdered as many as 400

"October 2, 1968, right before the start of the games, Mexican Security police murdered as many as 400 students and workers at La Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco, Mexico City"

""When the shooting stopped, hundreds of people lay dead or wounded, as Army and police forces seized surviving protesters and dragged them away. Although months of nationwide student strikes had prompted an increasingly hard-line response,...no one was prepared for the bloodbath that Tlatelolco became. More shocking still was the cover-up that kicked in as soon as the smoke cleared. Eyewitnesses to the killings pointed to the President's 'security' forces, who entered the plaza bristling with weapons, backed by armored vehicles. But the government pointed back, claiming that extremists and communist agitators had initiated the violence. Who was responsible for Tlatelolco? The Mexican people have been demanding an answer ever since."

Thousands of people have marched in the streets every year demanding justice for what is seen as Mexico's Tiananmen Square. And while it is certainly welcome to see Echeverria doddering in cuffs, this arrest should not be seen only as an epilogue of the past but a warning for the future. "

when you see this:

it's ok to shoot back, it's just self defense

[rainbow4321]

19. "People who identified the shooter as a plain clothes police or possibly a paramilitary "

http://publish.nyc.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/77780.html

As the federal police wage a continuing violent siege on Oaxaca City, local people have apparently identified the person responsible for the fatal shooting of Brad Will in Oaxaca City, Mexico, today, after a television station showed video of the incident.

After the footage of the shooting was shown on Televisa, a large Mexican television network, Radio APPO in Oaxaca received four different reports from people who identified the shooter as a plain clothes police or possibly a paramilitary hired by the far right PRI party, and that his name is Pedro Camona, however, it is not confirmed that this is in fact the name of the shooter.

There is a long history of Mexico using government sponsored paramilitaries to repress social movements, including a massacre of hundreds of students in Mexico City in 1968.

As reports of protesters surrounded by armed government forces and police continue to pour in, activists in cities around the world are planning protests at Mexican embassies in outcry against the violent aggression against the people of Oaxaca.

[rainbow4321]

18. The Indymedia NYC site is also giving frequent updates...

on their breaking news section at the top of the page.

http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/index.html

[Judi Lynn]

20. Mexican police move into Oaxaca

Mexican police move into Oaxaca
Adam Thomson in Mexico City

Published: October 29 2006 17:32 | Last updated: October 29 2006 17:32

Mexican federal police have moved into the southern state of Oaxaca in response to growing levels of violence that has turned the once-popular tourist destination into a virtual war zone.

President Vicente Fox decided to act after three people, including a US citizen, were shot dead on Friday in what were believed to be skirmishes between local police and protesters.

The presence of federal forces – about 3,000 arrived in and around the city of Oaxaca on Saturday – is the latest reminder of how far things have spun out of control from what initially began in May as a strike by teachers who were demanding more pay.

Mr Fox, who ends his six-year mandate on December 1, is desperate to hand over a peaceful and law-abiding country to Felipe Calderón, the president-elect and a member of Mr Fox’s centre-right National Action Party (PAN), and Oaxaca has become the biggest test of his ability to do so.
(snip/...)

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/b0522344-676a-11db-8ea5-0000779e2340,_i_rssPage=6700d4e4-6714-11da-a650-0000779e2340.html

[Judi Lynn]

21. Want to make a statement?

Minute by Minute from Oaxaca – Sunday, 10/29

Read this story in English | Add a translation >>
donkilo | 29.10.2006 19:00

UPDATE 12:04PM: Join the Eelctronic Blockade of Mexican Embassies and Consulates: http://www.mountainrebel.net/oaxaca

Electronic Blockade of Mexican Embassy and Consulate Websites

In response to a call to action to remember Brad and all the companer@s killed in the popular struggle to oust the bloody tyrant Ulises Ruiz, to show solidarity with the teachers and protesters of Oaxaca, and to attempt to interrupt the invasion of Oaxaca that Mexican President Vicente Fox is beginning, join this electronic blockade of the websites for all of the Mexican embassies and consulates in the United States and Canada.


http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/120044.shtml

[EFerrari]

29. Link to Brad Will's last tape:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmsSFMpb88&eurl=

[Breeze54]

35. Thank You for posting this video!

It has seven honors already!

[EFerrari]

36. I watched it last night and wanted to buy a plane ticket to Oaxaca.

:nuke:

[bemildred]

23. Mexican police storm embattled Oaxaca

OAXACA, Mexico - Federal police armed with assault rifles and riot shields stormed this normally picturesque tourist destination Sunday, bypassing barricades and touching off fierce street battles as they tried to end five months of protests and violence.

Officers in black helmets entered the city from several sides, reinforced by armored vehicles, trucks mounted with high-pressure water cannons and bulldozers. Helicopters roared overhead.

Police marched up to a metal barrier blocking the historic city center — which has served as home base for the protests since late May — but pulled back as protesters armed with poles and sticks attacked them from behind, hurling burning tires.

Protesters could be seen readying Molotov cocktails and other homemade bombs, but had yet to use them against police, who fired tear gas canisters. The area filled with black smoke from burning cars. Some protesters used syringes to pierce their arms and legs, then paint signs decrying the police in blood.

Yahoo

[leftchick]

24. oh god....

this is bad....

:(



A member of the Popular Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO) confronts federal forces officers during an operation in Oaxaca City October 29, 2006. Riot police backed by helicopters and armored trucks advanced on the Mexican tourist city of Oaxaca on Sunday, meeting little initial resistance from protesters demanding the removal of the state governor. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar (MEXICO)

[bemildred]

25. Yeah, not good.

I doubt that APPO has any illusions about who it is up against, though.

[Kolesar]

32. -delete-

put answer in wrong place...oops

[struggle4progress]

26. Federal police storm Mexico's embattled Oaxaca; 15-year-old killed

October 30, 2006 - 0:50

... A male protester was killed during a clash at a barricade. Protesters identified him as a 15-year-old killed by a bullet, while a human rights group said he died after being hit by a tear-gas canister, and that his age could not be confirmed.

Protesters broadcasting over a local radio station claimed a second body, apparently that of a protester, had been found, but gave few details. That death could not be confirmed ...

http://www.570news.com/news/international/article.jsp?content=w103002A

[struggle4progress]

27. Mexican Police Take Control Of City Center

Monday, October 30, 2006

... Protest leaders said 50 of their supporters had been arrested, and police were conducting house-to-house searches ...

"I think their strategy isn't working," said protest leader Hugo Pacheco, who led a group against a column of police holding a position three blocks from the city center. "I don't think this has worked for them because the people, we, the people, are right." ...

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBR1G8EWTE.html

[EFerrari]

28. from Narco News:

APPO Reports Two Dead in Confrontations with Federal Police in Oaxaca
By Dan Feder,
Posted on Sun Oct 29th, 2006 at 11:30:30 PM EST
The Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) reports that two civilians died in confrontations today with the Federal Preventive Police: Social Security Institute worker Roberto López Hernández and nurse and APPO safety commission member Jorge Alberto Beltrán.

There are also reports coming in to Narco News from various sources that police are raiding the specific homes of APPO leaders. Whether these are federal or state police is not clear.

Around 6 p.m. this evening, the signal of Radio Universidad, the main medium of communication for the APPO in these days of chaos, was cut. It remains off the air. This happened just as the Federal Preventive Police entered the campus of the Oaxaca state university, where the station’s facilities are located. Since then, reports have been harder to come by, but a caller into Radio Bemba (of the northern city of Hermosillo) reported that the station’s power had been cut and the entire facility occupied by officers of the Federal Preventive Police. As of 10 p.m., however, this has still not been confirmed. If true, it represents a major attack on freedom of the press by the Mexican state, just two days after the murder of journalist Brad Will and the shooting of photojournalist Oswaldo Ramirez in Oaxaca City.

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2006/10/29/233030/04

[Kolesar]

33. NYTimes Monday 10/30: Mexican Federal Police and Army Move to Retake Oaxaca

I read down to the end and found an analysis of why this is happening. My recall is that southern Mexican corn/maize farmers have lost their business to American agribusiness due to NAFTA. They lost their livelihood(s).

--0--

The roots of the conflict have less to do with leftist ideology or a peasant uprising than with political patronage and old political rivalries, people here say.

Over the past two decades, as Mexico’s political system has opened up, brutally poor Oaxaca has remained a virtual one-party state, controlled by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, the machinelike organization that ruled the entire country until Mr. Fox’s victory in 2000.

After taking office in a disputed election, Mr. Ruiz eliminated millions in community subsidies and began a series of public works projects that involved condemning land, often taking it from farmers at rock-bottom prices, protesters say. He also forbade marches and protests in the Zócalo, angering groups that routinely used protests to demand more government aid.

“He didn’t realize it, but he was closing the escape valves that let the pressure off,” said Flavio Sosa, the head of the New Left of Oaxaca, a political pressure group, and a leader of the A.P.P.O.

When Mr. Ruiz sent in poorly trained riot police officers to oust striking teachers from the Zócalo on June 14, the crisis began.

“This is a fight about power, about money, and the problem of poverty, as well,” said Rosa Nida Villalobos, the head of Priista Women, a group that supports the governor, in an interview last week. “It’s a monster with a thousand heads and a thousand interests.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/world/americas/30mexico.html?hp&ex=1162270800&en=9dc224d3900aedd8&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[EFerrari]

34. Kick

[EFerrari]

37. Protests organize around the US:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2516700&mesg_id=2516700