Statement on the May Day arrests in Oaxaca

presos-oaxaca Translated by Scott Campbell

TO THE PEOPLE OF OAXACA
TO CONSCIOUS PEOPLE AND STUDENTS
TO THE COLLECTIVES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN STRUGGLE AND RESISTANCE
TO ALL THOSE WHO CARRY A NEW WORLD IN THEIR HEARTS

With profound indignation we denounce the aggression we were subjected to this May Day by the state and municipal police in the service of the rich and the state government, under the command of the criminal, murderer, and fascist Gabino Cué Monteagudo (which has been called the “government of change”), showing again the repressive policies guiding the repressive forces of the state and capital, in coordination with the murderer and oppressor of Atenco, Enrique Peña Nieto, not caring that all kinds of people had been participants in the demonstration, from children, elderly, even mothers. This is the change that we have received during the three years of his government, though his actions follow the same repressive policies of the tyrant Ulises Ruiz, without forgetting Peña Nieto who now sitting in the presidential chair continues his dirty, repressive and murderous policies. Today, as yesterday, we remain oppressed, just like the compañeros in Guerrero, Michoacán, DF and other geographic locations and resistance groups.

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Three letters from political prisoners David Venegas and Efrén Hernández from Ixcotel Prison in Oaxaca

Efrén Hernández and David Venegas Translated by Scott Campbell

Letter on March 30, 2013

Thursday, March 28, we, Feliciano Efrén Hernández Pablo and David Venegas Reyes, were violently detained by members of the State Investigatory Agency (AEI), accused of robbing a taxi driver who minutes earlier had given a ride to David Venegas Reyes and two compañeras, and who tried to rob them but they didn’t allow it. After getting out of the taxi, they arrived at the house of Feliciano Efrén Hernández Pablo, and when we left for the store the agents detained us, and without any explanation, violently put us in police vehicles in spite of the fact that several neighbors tried to stop them because there was no reason for our detention. To avoid more violence, we decided to let them take us. Yet in spite of that, David Venegas Reyes was beaten in the face, back and chest by an agent during the drive to the State Attorney General’s Office (PGJE), in La Experimental, Oaxaca, and later was again beaten in the face and stomach by another agent in the PGJE building.

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Statement on Attack on Radio Totopo

Radio Totopo

Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca, México.

To all the people of Mexico
To the people and governments of the world
To the free independent media and community radio stations
To the local, national and international press
To human rights organizations

Brothers and Sisters- On March 26, during the failed eviction by the state police against the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of the Isthmus (APPJ) who have been opposing the installation of a wind power corridor by maintaining an encampment on the road that leads to Playa Vicente, the facilities of community station Radio Totopo suffered an attack by the Oaxaca State Governor Gabino Cué Monteagudo in cahoots with the Mayor of Juchitán Daniel Gurrión Matías. The cables that provide light to our space were cut and it is important to note that this space not only operates the radio station but is also a community and cultural center. This center has served the local population with many activities including academic counseling for children, a stage for artistic expression, and a meeting place for members of our community to speak in our native language. With the current situation of our rejection of the wind power companies’ project it has become a space to share information using our FM radio signal and also to open space for assemblies.

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Why are political arrests still being made in Oaxaca? The case of David Venegas, el Alebrije

David Venagas detenido by medianoche, Centro de Medios Libres

March 31, 2013.- Not long ago, Oaxaca was ruled by a despot named Ulises Ruiz. He was accused of crimes against humanity committed against the teachers’ movement and the people who came out in solidarity with them.

That tyrant arrested countless political activists — members of collectives, organizations and communities who rose up against his crimes against humanity. Yet the arrests continue even though he’s no longer in office. Why so, if the new governor is of a different political party and still refers to his administration with the slogan “government of change”?

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