Mexico
Gabriela León at UC Santa Cruz: Sunday Walk to the Zócalo of Oaxaca
Jan 29th
Gabriela León Vázquez gave an artist talk at UC Santa Cruz on January 29th about her exhibition at UCSC’s Sesnon Gallery, Sunday Walk to the Zócalo of Oaxaca (Paseo dominical por el Zócalo de Oaxaca). She was born in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico in 1973, and is currently living and working in Oaxaca. The exhibition, on display until March 8th, is a multi-media artistic response to the popular revolt and resistance that unfolded in Oaxaca in 2006 and 2007, including photos from the Peoples’ Guelaguetza (la Guelaguetza Popular) on July 16th, 2007.
The following audio was recorded at UCSC’s Oakes College room 105 and edited into two tracks; Gabriela León’s presentation, followed by the question and answer session. Read More, View Photos and Listen to Audio
Mexico City Solidarity with Oaxaca, Acteal and Atenco on December 22
Dec 22nd
On December 22nd, 2006, hundreds of people came together in Mexico City to honor the peoples of Oaxaca, Acteal and Atenco during a global day of remembrance and solidarity. The demonstration was held at the Hemiciclo a Juárez in Mexico City’s Historic Center where people spoke about Oaxaca and the demonstrations taking place around the world. There were musicians, memorials, stilt walkers and banners calling for liberation of political prisoners and an end to illegal detentions, an end to torture, the living appearance of the disappeared and the exit of the Federal Preventative Police and Ulises Ruiz Ortiz from Oaxaca.
There have been reports of more than 60 actions in solidarity with Oaxaca in at least 37 countries on December 22nd, 2006. The EZLN called for the day of solidarity which marks nine years of impunity for the massacre in Acteal, Chiapas. The US and Mexican governments are responsible massacres in Acteal, Atencto and Oaxaca. 
Read more and view photos
Nov. 20th Day of Solidarity with Oaxaca at UC Santa Cruz
Nov 20th
In response to the Zapatista call for global solidairty with the people of Oaxaca and in coordination with demonstrations all over the world on November 20th, about 40 students and workers rallied and marched at UC Santa Cruz. Ashish Sahni, UCSC’s Assistant Chancellor since May 15th, 2006, met outside with students who marched to Kerr Hall. Students requested that George Blumenthal, UCSC’s Chancellor since July 14th, 2006, issue a public statement supporting the people of Oaxaca. Sahni listened to students explain their concerns about the situation in Oaxaca and ensured the students that he would bring their concerns to Blumenthal, who according to Sahni, was in Oakland at the time of the rally. Read more and view photos
Fernando Mendoza of APPO speaks in Watsonville
Oct 16th
On October 12th, 2006, Al Rojas of Sacramento and Fernando Mendoza from the Peoples Popular Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO) spoke to a packed house at the Watsonville Brown Beret office about the situation in Oaxaca. Al introduces Fernando and speaks a little of his role as a stateside organizer. Fernando tells us the history and present situation in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Interview with Shannon Young in Oaxaca City
Oct 2nd
On October 2nd, 2006, the 38th anniversary of the Tlatelolco Massacre, I spoke with Shannon Young, Headlines Producer for Free Speech Radio News, who lives in Oaxaca City, Mexico. The 1968 student massacre at Tlatelolco in Mexico City sets a creepy undertone for the military provocations currently taking place in Oaxaca City which include low-flying marine helicopters. Shannon also discusses MegaMarches, the march from Oaxaca City to Mexico City and the technicalities of getting Ulises Ruiz Ortiz (URO) to leave office.
Audio: Download the mp3 (25 minutes / 11.5 MB)
