2008 Woodie Awards
Ungovernable
Oaxaca's implosion into revolutionary chaos
HAZEL RYERSON Senior Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: Features
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Utter chaos and the cyclonic winds of revolution have caused the cancellation of UVM's study abroad program to Oaxaca, Mexico this spring. A potent mix of political outrage
and revolutionary spirit has thrown the region into anarchy.
The turmoil began this May when 70,000 members of a teacher's union in the state of Oaxaca went on strike, demanding higher wages. Similar work stoppages have taken place annually for the past 26 years, normally lasting only a few days.
This year was different. Over 935 small organizations, unions, activist and church groups joined the teachers to incapacitate the government and demand the removal of Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz from office.
Last spring, 18 UVM students completed the first full semester of the recently developed exchange program with Oaxaca, led by anthropology professor Luis Vivanco.
The UVM program focuses on a "grassroots political indigenous vision," Vivanco said. "A lot of the people we've talked to and spent time with are the people involved and leading [the movement]."
A fatal mistake
The political movement is located primarily in the Zócalo, a famous colonial plaza. In May, when Ruiz refused to meet the protesters demands, 30,000 people set up a tent city occupying the square.
After 23 days of Zócalo occupation, Ruiz made what Vivanco has described as his "fatal mistake": at 3:00 a.m. on June 14, 3,000 police arrived to break up the strikes using tear gas, firearms and stun grenades.
The intervention lasted 6 hours, until the police retreated and the Zócalo was re-taken by the protesters. The police action led to the creation of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO), made up of hundreds of small organizations, all rallying behind the cry of removing Ruiz from office.
After the formation of the APPO, the police and all government officials retreated for nearly three months. The APPO seized the opportunity, commandeering government buildings and radio/TV stations.
and revolutionary spirit has thrown the region into anarchy.
The turmoil began this May when 70,000 members of a teacher's union in the state of Oaxaca went on strike, demanding higher wages. Similar work stoppages have taken place annually for the past 26 years, normally lasting only a few days.
This year was different. Over 935 small organizations, unions, activist and church groups joined the teachers to incapacitate the government and demand the removal of Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz from office.
Last spring, 18 UVM students completed the first full semester of the recently developed exchange program with Oaxaca, led by anthropology professor Luis Vivanco.
The UVM program focuses on a "grassroots political indigenous vision," Vivanco said. "A lot of the people we've talked to and spent time with are the people involved and leading [the movement]."
A fatal mistake
The political movement is located primarily in the Zócalo, a famous colonial plaza. In May, when Ruiz refused to meet the protesters demands, 30,000 people set up a tent city occupying the square.
After 23 days of Zócalo occupation, Ruiz made what Vivanco has described as his "fatal mistake": at 3:00 a.m. on June 14, 3,000 police arrived to break up the strikes using tear gas, firearms and stun grenades.
The intervention lasted 6 hours, until the police retreated and the Zócalo was re-taken by the protesters. The police action led to the creation of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO), made up of hundreds of small organizations, all rallying behind the cry of removing Ruiz from office.
After the formation of the APPO, the police and all government officials retreated for nearly three months. The APPO seized the opportunity, commandeering government buildings and radio/TV stations.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
ronj
ron
posted 11/14/06 @ 9:32 PM EST
let me suggest people read this interview. The young man who I interviewed grew up in Oaxaca along with his 6 siblings and his father was involved in earlier land struggles before he was killed. (Continued…)
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