Thursday, September
21, there was a demonstration at the Mexican Consulate to protest repression
in Oaxaca and to defend the teachers who have been on strike since
May. The event, which was endorsed by over 60 individuals and organizations,
was lively, loud and well attended. It certainly was noticed by the
people inside the consulate, some who were seen busily taking notes
about what was happening outside. We were forced to march across the
street in a caged area which surprised us, as this had not happened
during previous demonstrations in June.
Perhaps
the pressure is having some effect on the Consul General. El Diario had
a reporter and photographer at the event and included a picture of the
demonstration in its Friday edition. It was also reported that there
was a picture of the demo in Saturday's La Jornada, a Mexican newspaper.
The event was also
broadcast live by Radio Planton, the radio station controlled by the
teachers of Oaxaca, for 20-25 minutes before the connection was lost.
Here is a report from Sandor, another organizer of the demonstration.
The
coordination with Radio Planton worked very well. We were on the
air for about
20-25 minutes before the connection was broken. Because we made arrangements
the day before, they had prepared to broadcast on all the occupied
radio stations in Oaxaca. So when we called, they first set up a
network with four other stations (Radio La Ley del Pueblo, Radio
APPO, Radio 1910 or something like that). We were able to get a lot
out. Some of the people at the demo got on to send greetings. We
reported how demonstrators were chanting, "From Oaxaca to New
York, Defend the Right to Strike." When people chanted "Viva
la huelga de los maestros oaxaquenos," the cell phone was held
up and people could literally hear all the way to Oaxaca.
One really great
thing is that it was being broadcast while people were beginning
the march to Mexico City. Since the marchers were listening on their
portable radios, they called Radio Planton with questions to ask
us here. One of them asked what unions had members at the demo, and
we mentioned the UFT, PSC and TWU in particular. Another caller wanted
to know if there was any attempt to deliver a protest letter to the
consulate, so Jan told them how you tried, but the consulate refused.
(What actually happened was that when I attempted to do so, the police
prevented me by saying they would arrest me for harassment if I went
inside.)
So there was some
real interaction, and I would bet it gave the marchers a real lift
to know that a large group of people in New York were showing their
solidarity. We called back afterwards and talked with Eduardo, the
director of Radio Planton, and he was incredibly happy about it. He
said it came through loud and clear. We sent him photos Thursday night.
The UFT came through
with a letter of support for the teachers directed to the Consul General
of Mexico in NYC. Signed by Randi Weingarten, it condemns the police
attack on the strikers' encampment and calls for peaceful negotiations
that recognize the legitimate issues of the teachers of Oaxaca.
Associated
Press reported yesterday that Governor Ruiz may be planning to send
in scabs to break the teachers strike. Five thousand teachers have
begun the march to
Mexico City to present their demands. Fox has said that the situation
in Oaxaca is the most serious problem the government faces and has
vowed to end the conflict before he leaves office. There are threats
to send
in the federal police. We must keep ourselves informed and continue
to pressure the Mexican authorities against instigating any further
attacks on our fellow union brothers and sisters and their supporters
in Oaxaca.
posted
by Gloria 9-24-05 |
