6th Day In Oaxaca

November 18th, 2006 – Xochitl writes: Good evening friends and companeros,

I don’t have much time. It is late.

But here is a brief description of my experiences today.

Went to the University (Radio Universidad) again today, to work in the clinic. When I arrived there was a meeting of women involved with the movement (a few from APPO, many not associated with APPO), planning a demonstration for tomorrow.

There have been several rapes by the federal police of local women. The meeting I attended planned an action against these rapes.

It was a remarkable combination of discussion, expediency, humor and practicality. In about 1 1/2 hours they planned a complex and quite beautiful action, with a march; plans for “uniforms” for marchers, with each wearing a coat with a statement written across the front; a press release; flyers to hand out to people passing by; street theater; stencils on the cobblestoned streets (but not on buildings, a source of discussion); and a letter read to the federal police stationed at each corner of the zocalo. For those of you in Oaxaca, I urge you to attend – it starts at noon at Santo Domingo.

After the meeting, I worked in the clinic for several hours. Our first patient was a small puppy, maybe one of those that I played with a few days ago. She had been hit by a small bullet, it looked like, and had a wound in her back thigh. The young man caring for her, who hopes to become a veterinarian, was incredibly loving with her, reassuring her and kissing her face as we cleaned out her wound.

I also saw someone who needed stitches removed, after being wounded by a tear gas canister 2 weeks ago, as well as a young man who just can’t shake a cough (maybe related to the tear gas that he was exposed to November 2).

And a man with an injury to his hand, which has lasted 2 weeks, from the confrontation with the federal police at the University 2 weeks ago.

The first aid station here is quite amazing. Like the best street medic clinic I have ever seen, and then some. All of the supplies were donated by local communities. There are some supplies needed, and I will get a list out soon.

What more is there to say? Once again, the people here are kind, generous, committed to the struggle and remarkably welcoming.

More tomorrow.

Cuidense,
Xochitl