A dozen mostly young Latinos held a noontime press conference and rally and picketed in front of the Mexican
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Participants carried signs reading: “Stop the militarization of Oaxaca and Mexico!” and “¡Busta a las violaciones de los derechos humanos! ¡Afuera Gov. Ulises Ruiz!”
Police had attacked demonstrators demanding that Governor Ulises Ruiz of Oaxaca state resign as they marched toward the venue of an international folk festival in Oaxaca city July 16.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a news release that it had received credible reports that police made arbitrary arrests, pulling people from passing cars and buses, and beating those in custody, including some so severely they needed to be hospitalized. The human rights group urged Oaxaca state officials to thoroughly investigate the allegations of police misconduct.
The local Oaxaca newspaper Noticias published a string of photos it said showed a teacher being arrested while unharmed, then being beaten by officers. The final shot showed him on a respirator in critical condition at a hospital.
About 40 people in all were arrested.
According to a July 25 Associated Press story, Ruiz’s office had declined to comment on the allegations or say whether authorities plan to investigate.
Amnesty International secretary general Irene Khan plans to meet with Ruiz and human rights groups in Oaxaca on July 31 to discuss “the need to investigate abuses committed in the ongoing crisis,” AP reported.
Groups participating in the San José protest included Student Advocates for Higher Education at San José State University, Latinas for Change, East San José LULAC #3117, the Barrio Defense Committee and South Bay Mobilization. A number of other organizations endorsed the action.
