Protesters and supporters of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) proved their commitment to the people’s movement when they faced-off with the Mexican Federal Preventative Police (PFP) on Nov. 25.
Tens of thousands gathered in Oaxaca City at the governor’s palace to call for the resignation of Governor Ulises Ruiz
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The plan was to encircle the zócalo to surround the PFP troops who had set up camp there. The PFP had violently dislodged APPO supporters from the zócalo four weeks earlier in an attempt to crush the people’s movement.
At around 5:00 p.m., the cops responded with their trademark violence. The people of Oaxaca have come to know these actions all too well in recent weeks. The police, in full riot gear, lobbed tear gas canisters and indiscriminately shot rubber bullets into the crowd.
The demonstrators, many of whom were veterans of the recent Oct. 29 and Nov. 2 street battles, responded promptly. People covered their faces with rags soaked in vinegar and fought back with slingshots and improvised weapons. Many ran back and forth carrying rocks and bottles of Coca-Cola holding water—to rinse the tear gas out of their eyes.
According to the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, APPO members reported over the radio that the PFP’s actions left five dead, 25 missing and over 100 wounded. Around 152 people were arrested during the course of the day, almost 50 of whom remained incarcerated as of Nov. 27. One doctor present at the scene reported that demonstrators were treated for lacerations, third-degree burns and even broken ribs.
The movement steps forward
The PFP occupied the city on Oct. 29 and has conducted a number of illegal searches and political arrests since then. The cops have provided a state-sanctioned boost to the paramilitary violence against the APPO. The violence began soon after the broad coalition of leftists came together in June to bring down Ruiz, the repressive governor.
The movement has continued to develop despite the month-long occupation. A three-day constituent congress called by the APPO concluded on Nov. 12, creating a state council for the self-governance of the people of Oaxaca. La Jornada reported on Nov. 25 that over 160 solidarity actions have taken place around the world in less than one month.
On Nov. 19, Indigenous organizations of Oaxaca’s Sierra Juárez put forth the Guelatao Declaration, creating the Assembly of the Zapoteco, Mixe and Chinanteco Peoples. The new assembly stands for the self-determination and autonomy of Indigenous peoples and will represent them in the APPO.
Massive demonstrations are set to take place throughout Mexico and beyond on Dec. 1, when Felipe Calderón is inaugurated as president. The protests will also strongly support the struggle in Oaxaca.
“There are too many in the mold of Ulises Ruiz and the people are getting tired of it,” said Zapatista leader Marcos during a recent press conference. “We are on the eve of either a great uprising or a civil war.”
