Compañer@s de las CASAS:

As the winter cold fronts arrive even as far as southern Mexico, the political climate, likewise, has felt a disquieting chill. Oaxaca, in particular, has seen an increase in repression against movement activists and sympathizers, including arrest warrants for all members of the APPO, warrants to search homes and offices, arbitrary detentions, tortures and disappearances.

In last Sunday’s Jornada, the local Archdiocese summed up the roots of the repression by describing the governor as “near-sighted, astigmatic, and colorblind because he has confused inconformity with subversion, social demands with uprising, the clamor against injustice with social instability, and social struggle with organized crime.”

The self-named “Citizens’ Radio”, which is a pirate radio station whose function is to maintain the power of the PRI and the state governor Ulises Ruiz, is currently the only functioning radio station in the city of Oaxaca, now that Radio Universidad, due to constant attacks and continuous threats, in addition to having their radio signal blocked by the government, has ceased to serve as the principal communication for the social movement. Citizens’ Radio has played a role in escalating the violence, calling people to burn down houses of known supporters of the movement and offices of NGOs and local newspapers, turn in neighbors and harass foreign journalists, activists and sympathizers.

Needless to say, the atmosphere in Oaxaca is extremely tense, with many activists having been forced into hiding. The CASA collectives in Chiapas and Oaxaca continue to work with local organizations that address root causes of widespread discontent, such as poverty, inequality and discrimination, while continuing to dedicate our attention to documenting and publicizing human rights violations as well as the voices and mobilization of those who continue to struggle against injustice.

In this month’s newsletter, you will find a detailed history of Ch’oles de Tumbalá and an update on their continuing struggle to protect their land, narrations of the Oaxacan social movement’s confrontations with the Federal Preventive Police, an interview with La Doctora, the principle radio broadcaster for Radio Universidad, analyses of the crisis of legitimacy of Mexican government, and much more.

Because international support and solidarity is more important than ever, especially as eyes and ears that document and protest the abuses occurring every day, we encourage our readers to get involved wherever you are.

On behalf of the EZLN, Subcomandante Marcos has called for an international day of action to take place on the 22nd of December, in solidarity with the people of Oaxaca. In the words of the Zapatistas: "in any possible form, in any possible place, the truth must be said about what happened and what happens in Oaxaca. Everyone in their own place, time and way."

Abrazos solidarios,

CASA Collectives,
Chiapas and Oaxaca, México