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---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:47:20 -0400 From: Mexico Solidarity Network <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: MSN News and Analysis April 23-29, 2007 MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS APRIL 23-29, 2007 1. JUSTICE IN OAXACA? 2. CNDH UNDER ATTACK 3. MEXICO CITY DE-PENALIZES ABORTION 4. US PLANS TO SEAL BORDER 5. DC FAST FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS 6. INDIGENOUS INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER 7. GOVERNMENT ORDERED TO PROTECT FLOC OFFICE IN MONTERREY 8. COMMUNIQUA~ OF THE INDIGENOUS REVOLUTIONARY CLANDESTINE COMMITTEE - GENERAL COMMAND OF THE ZAPATISTA NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY 9. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]) 1. JUSTICE IN OAXACA? Marcelino Coache, an advisor to the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO), was sentenced to prison this week, despite winning a federal judicial restraining order that should have freed him. Coache, who was charged with sedition, arson and criminal association, was arrested in December by the Federal Preventative Police along with the Sosa brothers, perhaps the best known APPO leaders, after leaving a negotiating session with federal authorities. He was charged with crimes supposedly committed during the police invasion of Oaxaca City in November. After winning the federal restraining order, Coache was on his way out of the Cosolapa Prison when authorities re-arrested him after a local judge re-classified the crimes. The State Attorney General requested the reclassification in what was widely interpreted as a manipulation of the justice system. 2. CNDH UNDER ATTACK The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), a government agency, came under further attack this week when Congress demanded testimony from Human Rights Ombudsman Jose Soberanes in the death of Ernestina Ascencion. According to family members and medical professionals, Ascencion, a poor indigenous woman, was raped by soldiers and died twelve hours later. Soberanes, who comes from a military family and has a long history defending the army, accused local authorities of mishandling the investigation. But local doctors, including a gynecologist, offered documents earlier in the week proving rape, and family members insist that Ascencion told them she was raped by soldiers stationed within 100 yards of where the family encountered her, beaten, bloodied and near death. Every political party except the PAN questioned Soberanes harshly concerning his public statements that exonerated the military, despite the fact that the investigation is still in progress. Soberanes also was! criticized for conducting his own investigation, which is prohibited by law until all official investigations are completed. Soberanes has gone so far as to threaten local doctors and police with legal prosecution if they continue to support the thesis of rape and murder by army troops. Various local witnesses have received death threats, but Soberanes refuses to offer police protection or publicly condemn the threats. 3. MEXICO CITY DE-PENALIZES ABORTION The Mexico City assembly approved 46-19 the de-penalization of abortion this week, leading Cardinal Norberto Rivera to excommunicate Mayor Marcelo Ebrard from the Catholic Church. The law has been under discussion for five months, generating a heated debate that mobilized the Catholic Church against the majority pro choice forces in this city of 20 million. The law allows abortion through the twelfth week of pregnancy and calls on the Mayor to provide the necessary medical services for women within 60 days. President Felipe Calderon of the conservative National Action Party condemned the law and promised that federal health facilities would not provide abortions. 4. US PLANS TO SEAL BORDER In 2008, the US-Mexico border will be a^oesealed,a^ according to David Aguilar, head of the Border Patrol. The Border Patrol will increase its force from the current 14,000 to 18,500 agents by next year, and the use of high technology, including unmanned drones, heat detection devices and a 700-mile wall, will reduce undocumented migration by 95 percent, according to Aguilar. In fiscal year 2006, border apprehensions decreased by 30% from the previous year due mainly to increased border security, according to Aguilar. At least 153 people died trying to cross the border over the past six months a^" nearly one person per day. New legal procedures initiated recently for undocumented immigrants in the Rio Bravo sector means that detainees must appear before a judge, and if apprehended a second time trying to cross they can spend time in prison. These measures are expected to be extended to the entire border region. 5. DC FAST FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS The DC Committee for Immigrant Rights, the Metro DC Interfaith Sanctuary Network, Mexicanos Sin Fronteras and the Latino Media Collective announced a week-long fast this week for immigrant rights. Fasters are gathered in a small park in the center of the Mount Pleasant neighborhood at Lamont Street NW and Mount Pleasant Street NW. Fasters are demanding an end to ICE raids and deportations, and normalized legal status for all undocumented migrants. Fasters are calling on the Mayor and city council to declare DC a sanctuary city for migrants. The fast will end at a 4pm rally on May 1 at Malcolm X Park. 6. INDIGENOUS INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER Indigenous leaders from Mexico and the US met with EZLN leaders this week to launch organizing for the Indigenous Intercontinental Conference. The conference is scheduled for October 11-14 in the Yaqui community of Vicam in Rio Yaqui, Sonora. 7. GOVERNMENT ORDERED TO PROTECT FLOC OFFICE IN MONTERREY The Inter-American Human Rights Commission ordered the Mexican government to provide protection for the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) office in Monterrey after FLOC staff person Santiago Cruz was murdered on April 9. The FLOC office, which processes H2-A visas for farmworkers who are automatically enrolled in a union, has been under attack since it opened last year. Mafia-like organizations have historically controlled H2-A processing, charging prospective workers illegal fees for the visas. The FLOC office suffered a series of break-ins which authorities in Monterrey failed to investigate. Three weeks after Cruza^s murder, authorities report no leads or suspects. The PRI, which controls the Nuevo Leon state government and maintains strong influence in Monterrey, has been historically affiliated with the illegal visa processing. 8. COMMUNIQUA~ OF THE INDIGENOUS REVOLUTIONARY CLANDESTINE COMMITTEE - GENERAL COMMAND OF THE ZAPATISTA NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY Mexico, April 8, 2007 The EZLN, by means of the Sixth Commission, respectfully addresses friends and adherents to the Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona and sympathizers of the Other Campaign, to announce the following: I. CONCERNING THE INTERNAL DISCUSSION ON THE SIX POINTS OF THE OTHER CAMPAIGN A) In March 2007, the Sixth Commission of the EZLN entrusted all the deliberations received directly or through the organizational units of the Other Campaign throughout the country to a group of companeras and companeros adherents to systematize the results and to present them afterwards. B) The work was not easy, but in the course of the next few days these [EMAIL PROTECTED] will present the final results, and as soon as we have them, we will make them known to all the [EMAIL PROTECTED] of the Other Campaign. For now, we can say that they represent the words of more than 10,000 adherents, individuals and families as well as groups, collectives and organizations (not including the Zapatistas). II. CONCERNING THE FIRST STAGE OF THE DIRECT PARTICIPATION OF THE EZLN IN THE OTHER CAMPAIGN: A) As the EZLN, we believe that the first stage has already covered what we intended: to listen in order to know and respect. Thru this process, struggles and resistances throughout the country were brought to light, and the majority of us who are part of this process will be able to say who we are, where we are, how we see the world and our country, and what we want to do and how we are going to do it. B) Contrary to what some of those from above have said, the Other Campaign survived the electoral hangover, and advances to become a symbol for the struggles from below and to the left. People who had previously stayed away are now turning their attention towards the Other Campaign, wondering whether this might provide a way to consolidate an independent and leftist path in the struggle for another Mexico. C) Those who predicted that the Other Campaign would have no echo in the Northern part of our country, claimed that the support in the North for the PAN-affiliated right would prevail, were utterly mistaken. Northern Mexico not only suffers the same injustices as the rest of our population, it is also rich in anti-capitalist and leftist struggles. The (Other) North also exists. D) According to what we have seen and continue to see as Zapatistas, the indigenous peoples, the young people and the women, as workers and with many differences between them, are representing the most determined part of the Other Campaign. III. CONCERNING THE REPRESSION SUFFERED BY OUR [EMAIL PROTECTED] THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, PARTICULARLY IN YUCATAN, AND THE DEMAND FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE IN ATENCO AND OAXACA A) Almost one year ago, in May 2006, after the cowardly attack against the people of San Salvador Atenco, a campaign of persecution and repression against [EMAIL PROTECTED] of the Other Campaign has been unleashed throughout the country. Since then the construction of a network has been initiated that will allow us to denounce the repressions we are suffering, and, although still in an imperfect manner, to support each other. B) Although not in the same order of magnitude as the repressions against Atenco and Oaxaca, attacks have been and are perpetrated against our [EMAIL PROTECTED] of the Otra, which have not received the full support of the adherents. C) In addition to the attacks and harassments against Zapatista indigenous communities, there is also the repression and the incarceration suffered presently by our [EMAIL PROTECTED] of the Other Yucatan, who have been attacked for demonstrating against the visit of George Bush in these lands. Authorities are trying to prevent several of our [EMAIL PROTECTED] from being released by setting very high bails, or they are keeping them imprisoned with ridiculous accusations lacking any legal basis. In this specific case, we are making a special call to all [EMAIL PROTECTED] of the Other Campaign in Mexico and north of the Rio Bravo [Rio Grande] to initiate, starting with April 10, a campaign of support and solidarity with our [EMAIL PROTECTED] in the Other Yucatan to secure their freedom. D) The struggle for the freedom of our imprisoned [EMAIL PROTECTED] of Atenco is not yet over. We are also calling on the entire Other Campaign to demonstrate together on May 3rd and 4th demanding liberty and justice for Atenco and Oaxaca. In particular, on May 4, 2007, a rally will take place in Mexico City, starting at the Angel of Independence at 16:00 hours (4:00 PM) and proceeding towards the Zocalo of Mexico City. On May 5 a motorized rally to Santiaguito prison will take place to let our [EMAIL PROTECTED] who are prisoners know that we have not forgotten them and that they are not alone. IV. ACCORDING TO THE ZAPATISTAS ON WHAT THE SECOND STAGE SHOULD ENTAIL, AND ON THEIR DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN IT A) Having fulfilled the first stage of listening and learning, we Zapatistas believe that it is already necessary to proceed developing a first draft of the national struggle program. The suffering of our people cannot consist any longer of just public denunciations, they must begin to be organized and attention brought to those who are suffering. It is no longer enough, for instance, to denounce the Stalinist reform of Article 27 of the Constitution that has legalized land robbery against farmers and indigenous communities. We must begin to not only propose the annulment of this legalized injustice, but also to articulate what should replace it from below and to the left. In every corner of our country this deprivation has a name, but the solution demanded by the people has concrete words also. B) All the sufferings and demands must be systematized to later become part of a plan for a national struggle. The plan for a national struggle is not to be designed by a single group or organization, neither by the EZLN nor by a leadership nor by a group of organizations. It is to be edified with the demands expressed by our people in their own voice. C) Therefore, we are calling on all adherents to the Sixth Declaration of the Selva Lacandona and all organizational units of the Other Campaign to continue to renew or initiate the contacts with those in our movement whom they have approached, sympathized or are allied with, this time in order to elevate the first draft of what will come to be the plan for a national struggle. D) The Sixth Commission of the EZLN will do the same throughout the country, to begin lending form and content to the pain and the struggle organized from below and to the left. V. CONCERNING HOW THE SIXTH COMMISSION OF THE EZLN WILL ORGANIZE ITSELF FOR THE SECOND STAGE OF DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE OTHER CAMPAIGN A) For its participation in this second stage, the Sixth Commission of the EZLN has established the following territorial distribution in zones and regions: NORTHERN ZONE - with 3 regions: Northwestern Region - Sinaloa, Baja California Sur, Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and the trans-border region. North-central Region - Aguascalientes, Durango, Zacatecas, Central San Luis Potosi and Highland of San Luis Potosi. Northeastern Region - Coahuila, la Comarca Lagunera, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and North of the Rio Bravo. CENTRAL ZONE - With 3 regions: East-Central Region - Queretaro, Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala, central and northern Veracruz and the Huastecas. Mid-Central Region - State of Mexico and the Federal District. West-Central Region - Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Guanajuato and Michoacan. SOUTHERN ZONE - With 2 regions: Southern Region - the states of Morelos, Guerrero and Oaxaca. Southeastern Region - the states of Chiapas, southern Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES - In agreement with the National Indigenous Congress, a joint effort of the CNI-EZLN will visit the adherents who are indigenous peoples throughout the national territories. B) In the course of the next few days the installation of the three delegations of the Sixth Commission in the Northwestern, North-central and Northeastern regions of the Northern Zone of Mexico will be completed. They will stay and work with the [EMAIL PROTECTED] of the Otra in the states in this part of our country, beginning on April 10, 2007 and concluding the beginning of June of the same year. C) Over the next few days we will also establish contact with the respective delegation of the National Indigenous Congress, to visit the indigenous peoples in the North of our country. D) The Delegations of the Sixth Commission will hold visits according to the same format as the first journey, that is, we will establish dates for each state, the Otras in each place will send us their activity proposals and we will make an agenda. We are only asking you, as before, to support us with lodging, food and if possible with the fuel for transportation. E) The Zapatista delegation that will carry out the work in the North of Mexico is composed by Comandante Zebedeo, Comandanta Miriam, Comandante David, Comandante Tacho, Comandanta Susana, Comandanta Yolanda, Comandante Moises, Comandanta Sandra, Comandante Emiliano, Comandanta Eucaria, Comandante Maxo, Comandanta Kelly, Comandante Eduardo, Comandanta Dalia, Comandante Guillermo and Insurgente Subcomandante Marcos. The delegation of the Sixth Commission for the Northeast of Mexico (Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, La Laguna, Tamaulipas and North of the Rio Bravo) is already in place in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. The delegation of the Sixth Commission for North-central Mexico (Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Durango, central San Luis Potosi and highland of San Luis Potosi) is already in place in the city of Aguascalientes. The delegation of the Sixth Commission for the Northwest of Mexico (Sinaloa, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Baja California and Chihuahua), for the Cucapa peace camp! and the indigenous peoples (together with the National Indigenous Congress) will initiate their respective works on April 10, in the indigenous Cucapa community of El Mayor, in Baja California. F) From September to December of 2007, the Sixth Commission of the EZLN will form new delegations, which will disperse themselves and go to the Central and Southern Zones to accompany the work of the Other Campaign in those regions. VI. CONCERNING THE OTHER CAMPAIGN FROM BELOW AND TO THE LEFT So far ignored by those who are from above, but among ourselves we are seeing and listening, the Other Campaign continues searching, finding and constructing, not only for those walking but also a way, a path and a destination: an Other Mexico, a better one, more just, free and dignified. LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ATENCO! LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR OAXACA! >From the mountains of Southeastern Mexico For the Indigenous Revolutionary Clandestine Committee - General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation Sixth Commission of the EZLN Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos Mexico, April 2007 9. MSN PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]) STUDY ABROAD: June 3 a^" July 14, 2007: Summer Study Abroad Program. Earn 8 credits studying Indigenous Social Movements and the Other Campaign in Chiapas, Mexico. 8 credits. June 17 a^" July 28, 2007: Summer Study Abroad Program. Earn 8 credits studying Migration: Dynamics and Debates. Students spend 16 days in Tlaxcala, a sending state for undocumented migrants; 16 days in Ciudad Juarez, a center of migration, maquiladora workers and undocumented border crossings; and 10 days in Washington, DC, home of the community-based group Mexicanos Sin Fronteras and center of the current debate on immigration reform. 8 credits September 2 a^" December 7, 2007: Study in Chiapas, Tlaxcala and Mexico City, with a focus on indigenous movements, campesino organizations, and urban movements, 16 credits. September 9 a^" December 14, 2007: Study in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, Mexico City and Chiapas, with a focus on border dynamics, urban movements and indigenous movements, 16 credits. January 27 a^" May 2, 2008: Study in Chiapas, Tlaxcala and Mexico City, with a focus on indigenous movements, campesino organizations, and urban movements. 16 credits. February 3 a^" May 9, 2008: Study in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, Mexico City and Chiapas, with a focus on border dynamics, urban movements and indigenous movements. 16 credits. SPEAKING TOURS: October 7-20: Speaking tour a^" Zapatista solidarity, the Otra CampaA~+-a, Zapatista artisanry. A speaker from the Community Human Rights Defenders Network (Red de Defensores Comunitarias) from Chiapas will speak about international solidarity and the Other Campaign. The tour will feature Zapatista artisanry produced by womena^s cooperatives in Chiapas. Pacific Northwest October 14-27: Speaking tour - Immigrant rights, featuring a speaker from the National Assembly of Ex-Braceros who will the current debate on immigration reform, international immigration dynamics and previous experiences with guest worker programs. California October 21 a^" November 3: Speaking tour - Immigrant rights, featuring a speaker from Centro Sin Fronteras who will discuss community-based struggles for immigrant rights and the recent rash of anti-immigrant roundups throughout the US. Chicago and Midwest October 28 a^" November 3: Mexico in Focus, featuring speakers three speakers from Mexico who will discuss the Other Campaign, police repression in Atenco, and community-based organizing in Tlaxcala. The Mexico in Focus series is particularly suited to university settings and conference-style presentations. New England November 4-17: Speaking tour a^" Immigrant rights and the Otra CampaA~+-a, featuring a speaker from the Consejo Nacional Urbano Campesino (National Urban-Rural Council) who will discuss immigration dynamics and community-based organizing in the Other Campaign. Mid Atlantic Coast November 4-17: Speaking tour - Zapatista solidarity and the Otra CampaA~+-a, featuring Zapatista artisanry. An activist from Chiapas will discuss the politics of the Other Campaign. The tour will feature Zapatista artisanry produced by womena^s cooperatives in Chiapas. Southwest DELEGATIONS: October 27 a^" November 3: Ciudad Juarez a^" Investigate the dynamics of the US-Mexico border region, focusing on the impact of neoliberalism, including the femicides, maquiladoras, narco-trafficking and immigration dynamics. ALTERNATIVE ECONOMY INTERNSHIPS: Develop markets for artisanry produced by women's cooperatives in Chiapas and make public presentations on the struggle for justice and dignity in Zapatista communities. Interns are currently active in Washington, D.C.; Lancaster, PA; Rutland, MA; Brooklyn, NY; Poughkeepsie, NY; Stonington, ME; Grand Rapids, MI; St Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; Guelph, Canada; Ontario, Canada; Spokane, WA; Turner, OR; Chico, CA; Davis, CA; Sacramento, CA; Redlands, CA; Provo, UT; Albuquerque, NM; El Paso, TX; Austin, TX; and Lilburn, GA. Mexico Solidarity Network http://www.mexicosolidarity.org This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscription : http://www.mexicosolidarity.org/newsletter/subscription.php?list_id1&opleave&email_addrhcleave%40eco.utexas.edu -- To unsubscribe from this list send a message containing the words unsubscribe chiapas95 (or chiapas95-lite, or chiapas95-english, or chiapas95-espanol) to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists.
