Oaxaca

Anarchism and libertarian currents in the Oaxaca insurrectionary movement

Article examining the influence of libertarian ideas in the recent uprisings in Oaxaca, Mexico.

SERGIO DE CASTRO SANCHEZ
Originally published in Spanish on oaxacalibre.org and in Rojo Y Negro, newspaper of the CGT
Translated by a comrade of Capital Terminus Collective

Oaxacan teachers reach agreement with their union and local government

Sección 22, the radical Oaxacan section of the Latin American education workers' union Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores en la Educación (SNTE), has finally signed deals with both the SNTE hierarchy and Oaxacan local government. However, the strike will continue until this weekend.

The strike (previously reported on Libcom here and here), a contrast of almost blanket support from union members and almost blanket condemnation

Mexico: teachers' strike spreads up the Pacific coast while Oaxaca cautiously holds firm

In for the long run: rainy season and 24 hour open air occupations

The annual teachers' strike in Oaxaca has been bolstered by soldarity strikes of other sections of the Sindicato Nacional de los Trabajadores en la Educación (SNTE) stretching up and down the Mexican Pacific coastline, while in Oaxaca itself, occupations and blockades continue apace in support. Most analysts however have already doomed the strike to failure.

On Friday 30th, the strike by the Oaxacan SNTE local (Sección 22, around whose strike coalesced the 2006 revolt) entered its 12th day, with more motorways blocked, more tollbooths closed down and more education buildings occupied throughout the state.

Oaxaca in revolt again: the Zócalo reoccupied, motorway tollbooths "liberated", roads blockaded

Oaxacan teachers occupy the city's [i]Zócalo[/i]

A 21 day series of strikes and occupations by the radical Sección 22 in Oaxaca of the Mexican teachers' union Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores en la Educación kicked off in earnest on Tuesday. As of Thursday, the strike appears to be spreading - with popular support, solidarity and an increasing volume of activity.

The teachers' strike has various demands, although it's mostly calling for the freedom for all political prisoners, an end to the arrest orders and ongoing intimidation by the judicial authorities against the movement, new elections within the SNTE, and the handing over of all Oaxacan schools controlled by the pro-government Sección 59.

Broken Barricades: The Oaxaca Rebellion in Victory, Defeat, and Beyond - Collective Reinventions

Oaxaca street barricade, 2006

An analysis of the 2006 Oaxaca rebellion and its contradictions. Its diversity encompassed workers, indigenous groups, Stalinists, anarchists and others. Its weapons and tactics included general assemblies, strikes, barricades, mirrors and fireworks.

Mexico: Oaxacan teachers occupy secondary school

Schoolteachers affiliated to the Sección 22 branch of the education union SNTE (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores en Educación) - the main protagonists behind the Oaxaca revolt of 2006 - have occupied a secondary school in eastern Oaxaca under the control of the Sección 59 scab union branch.

The occupation started as of yesterday (15 February) and is a preliminary attempt to reclaim all the schools organised by the 5,000-strong Sección 59, created by the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) Oaxacan state government and the SNTE leadership in Mexico City in an attempt to defeat the strikers in Sección 22 and thereby the 2006 uprising.

Mexico: Arrests in Cuidad de Oaxaca at Día de Muertos commemoration

Up to 40 arrests were made when police attacked a traditional ceremony in memory of the lives lost in the state's popular struggle against the local authorities.

Around 50 people had gathered at the Cinco Señores intersection with Avenida Universidad from 6am onwards on November 2 to begin preparations for the day's event. The commemoration was one year to the day after the Oaxacan movement's victorious battle with police attempting to retake the city's Universidad Autónoma de Benito Juárez.

State terror and dirty war: a year of state recuperation in Mexico

State violence and police terror, this picture from Cuidad de Oaxaca

An in-depth look at the contemporary situation in Mexico in the aftermath of recent state offensives against movements in Chiapas, Oaxaca and San Salvador Atenco.

Following a heady 18 months of diverse and popular struggles up down the country, the Mexican state is using familiar tactics to reassert itself as the country’s main authority.

This is what recuperation looks like: the rebellion in Oaxaca and the APPO - Kellen Kass

A detailed, critical look at the events in Oaxaca, Mexico, from an anarchist perspective.

On May 22, 2006, teachers in the state of Oaxaca, Section 22 of the National Education Worker’s Union (SNTE), went on strike. Section 22 has yearly strikes in Oaxaca to demand a variety of concessions from the state, and this year’s strike included calls for higher wages, the construction of more schools throughout the state of Oaxaca, as well as free lunches and supplies for students.

Amy Goodman Interviews John Gibler on Mexican Power hand over

Amy Goodman Interviews John Gibler on Mexican Power hand over

AMY GOODMAN: Early this morning, outgoing Mexican President Vicente Fox transferred power to Calderon in a midnight ceremony at the presidential palace. Then, Calderon addressed the nation.

Calderon given Mexican Presidency amid widespread protests

In an unprecedented act, Mexico's President Elect Felipe Calderon received, for the first of two times, the Presidential Sash from outgoing President Vicente Fox at 12:01 am in the Presidential Palace. Calderon's second and official inauguration, as defined by the Mexican Constitution, took place this morning in Mexico's congress despite attempts by opposition parties to block the swearing-in ceremony.

President Felipe Calderon and Vicente Fox had to force their way to the podium after a massive entourage of secret servicemen had to facilitate their entrance into congressional chambers. The ceremony lasted less than 5 minutes amidst shouts, , and chanting from congressional representatives.

Oaxaca: Federal Police Retreat

After seven hours of pitched battle, Popular Assembly (APPO) activists and supporters beat back the police from the Benito Juarez Autonomous University.

Radio Universidad, 1400 am, remains a strong voice at 1:30 pm, but how much longer it will continue is unclear. As the only station still broadcasting for the Popular Assembly movement of Oaxaca, it is a critically important link as well as a source of the most current information on the struggle.

Armed police move in on Oaxaca protests

At least eight people have died in the clashes.

At least eight people have died as police shot at protestors and broke down barricades, after five months of protests in the city.

Protests began in May, with teachers striking to demand the resignation of Ulises Ruiz, the state govenor. The teachers have been backed by an umbrella organisation, the Popular Assembly of Oaxaca Villages (APPO). The teachers won the support of students and local people who barricaded much of the city including public buildings.

Oaxaca: Teachers hold firm against their union leaders

"Banner: Rueda Pacheco, why don't you hold the consulta (vote) in the graves of the fallen compañeros?"

Teachers in the insurgent state of Oaxaca are refusing their union's return to work call, after union leader Enrique Rueda Pacheco illegally agreed to end their strike.

Oaxaca, October 22, 2006

Another difficult night in Oaxaca; around 2 a.m. church bells rang furiously, the emergency sound, dogs ran up and down our street barking madly, and rockets exploded. I got out of bed and turned on Radio Universidad, which was reporting on the statewide assembly of Section 22 of the teachers’ union.

Two more Oaxaca communards murdered

Two more members of the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) have been murdered by supporters of Governor Ruiz, bringing the total to nine.

Gunmen loyal to Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz have stepped up attacks on those involved in the mobilisations in Oaxaca, killing two members of the APPO, taking the total death toll to 9.

Oaxaca communards shot by police

Four people have been wounded after police and hired thugs loyal to Governor Ruiz opened fire on a popular assembly's 'mobile brigade'.

Members and supporters of the Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO) have been injured by police gunfire in an incident on October 10th outside the Department of Civil Protection. Part of an APPO 'mobile brigade', the group had spent the day painting slogans and peacefully occupying government premises when they were attacked.

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