November 29, 2006

Dear Sir,

The world is watching Oaxaca. With your own citizens brutally attacked while trying to express their views and needs, the legitimacy of your government’s rule comes into question. And certainly the legitimacy of the state government in Oaxaca has already ended.

We in the County of Santa Cruz, California, demand that the prisoners receive medical attention, with no more torture or harsh treatment;

that they either be charged and allowed legal council of their choice, or be released;

that they be given immediate access to their families;

that the federal government or an international body investigate the illegal plain clothes armed groups posing as police in Oaxaca;

that you address the crisis in a manner that shows respect for international human rights criteria;

that any force used be proportional to the situation, and not allow your authorities to indulge in ‘out of control’ actions that worsen the suffering and that shame Mexico.

Sincerely,

Ruth Valdez, a fellow teacher
WILPF, CSG, PVUSD, LATF