Rally for Oaxaca : Melbourne Indymedia

People gathered in Melbourne's Federation Square on Saturday in a rally to show support for the people of Oaxaca, Mexico in their struggle to rid themselves of a corrupt local governor, Ulises Ruiz. The action was one of many around the globe in an international day of solidarity to express support and to draw attention to the extreme repression that is being experienced by the people of this region in their campaign, including murders, torture and disappearances.

The gathering heard from a number of speakers who had connections with the region highlighting the importance of maintaining international pressure to draw attention to the extreme repression. Carmen Curihuentro, activist and leader from the Mapuche Nation in Chile, also addressed the group and emphasized the common links in the struggles of Oaxaca and those of the Mapuche People of Chile for basic rights and justice. Those gathered expressed the need for on going vigilance at the international level as the struggle of the people of Oaxaca continues.

LASNET Statement

22nd December 2006 in Mexico
23rd December 2006 in Australia

Responding to the call of the grassroots organisations of Oaxaca and to the EZLN Mexico (the Zapatista Army of National Liberation), we unite today to show our opposition and disapproval of the recent events which have occurred in Mexico, and in particular, the state of Oaxaca over the past few months.

To these events, the Mexican state and the government of Oaxaca have responded with lies, and the detention, disappearance and murder of activists.

All the way from Australia, we are expressing our rejection of the brutal repression exercised by the state of Oaxaca, in response to the legitimate demands and objectives of the people of Mexico and their organisations.

We believe that the right of the people cannot be negotiated- it must be respected without condition. If the people reject their government, the government should then abandon its responsibilities and be replaced by legitimate representatives of the people. If Ulises Ruiz's rule is illegitimate and he doesn't represent his people, he should resign like the majority of the people of Oaxaca are demanding- and from Australia we are sending our total support.

Sharing the objectives and demands of the grassroots groups and indigenous people of Mexico, adhering to the other campaign and the struggle of the ELZN.

We send our greetings and solidarity.

Latin American Solidarity Network, Melbourne, Australia
lasnet@latinlasnet.org