Army out of Chiapas, Oaxaca,and the country!
by Rattytatt
Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008 at 6:25 PM
roll.in.dirt@gmail.com
Solidarity with Zapatista communities from the streets of Oaxaca
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"We are all Zapatistas!", scream the voices, banners, and graffiti in Oaxaca.
Thursday July 16th, community organizers gathered at the Emiliano Zapatista monument. Some carried torches many wore skimasks, scarves and hoodies like the Zapatistas, The march was organized in response to the June 4th invasion of more than 200 soldiers of the Mexican Federal Army in the Zapatista territory of La Garrucha. They entered under the pretext of looking for marijuana plants, as the government wants to associate the EZLN with narcotrafficking.Compas from neighboring Zapatista Communiies, Hermenegildo Galeana and San Alejandro kept the army away with their machetes and sticks. The army threatened to return again in 15 days.
Oaxaca as a city and state that has been wounded and fought with the federal army, when the government has felt that the police are not violent enough and so they send in the army as well.
The spirit of resistance and solidarity is very strong here as well. Amidst the burning torches and the youth painting art ,all over buildings , there were many voices in opposition of the repressive government. One of these voices was David Venegas. I'd seen his face in millions of flyers and his portrait painted in graffiti all over the city, but it was great to see this face live, out of jail. He was finally released on March 6th 2008 after 11 months of unjust imprisonment.
The march arrived at the Xocalo with trucks of police nearby videotaping.The trucks then waited on two sides of the Xocalo,but no arrests were made.
Peace Justice and Dignity! Army out of Chiapas!
