Workers Solidarity Movement

MEXICAN GRASSROOTS RESISTANCE

Mexican people resist oppression in Oaxaca

DUBZAG-DUBLIN ZAPATISTA ACTION GROUP
WITH LASC-LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY CENTRE AND WSM-WORKERS SOLIDARITY
MOVEMENT CORK AND DUBLIN.

PUBLIC TALK-MEXICAN GRASSROOTS RESISTANCE

Jaquelina Lopez Almazan and Jose Luis Diaz Franco, both members of the
APPO-CODEP- Popular Asembly of the Oaxacan People in Mexico Will give
an acccount of their sttruggle and their fight for justice and freedoom.

IRISH TOUR:

CORK: MONDAY 2ND JULY @8PM Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain St., Cork

GALWAY: TUESDAY 3RD OF JULY @7 PM IN CONRAD NA GAILGE

DUBLIN: THURSDAY 5TH OF JULY @ 7PM IN TEACHERS CLUB

CONTACT Martha or Nick for more details: 0872031764 or 0872862848

AUTONOMY FOR THE PEOPLE OF OAXACA, MEXICO.

Oaxaca is a poor, rural state in the South-East of Mexico with a strong
and very diverse indigenous population who have broken away from a
traditionally clientelist relationship with political parties and are
now demanding autonomy to run their own affairs. The state is also home
to a radical branch of the national teachers' union, and there are huge
community struggles on many different issues.

In May 2006 teachers occupied the main square of Oaxaca City, seeking a
wage increase to help offset massive increases in the cost of living.
The state government of Ulises Ruiz responded by trying to drive them
out through police repression, but the people of Oaxaca responded by
taking over the city and setting up the Popular Assembly of the Peoples
of Oaxaca (APPO). This assembly draws delegates from a large range of
organisations, and one of its strengths is its emphasis on building
from the bottom up, with a flexible and accountable leadership
structure.

The APPO pushed for the sacking of Governor Ruiz but he managed to get
and endorsement from the Federal Senate in return for his party's
backing for the neoliberal policies of the governing PAN party, which
would enable him to hold on long enough to legally designate his
successor without elections taking place. In November, federal
militarised police began operations to take the city back, increasing
the campaign of deaths, disappearances and irregular detentions that
was the state government's response to the conflict. Amazingly, the
people of Oaxaca continue to resist and to defend their Assembly.

CONTACT Martha or Nick for more details: 0872031764 or 0872862848