Reporting from the ground in Oaxaca - v

This is the 5th installment of reportage and images, sent by Honduran-US artist and activist, Francisco Alvarado-Juarez, on the 7th, Nov. After an almost 3-week lull, there has been another surge of violence, with bands of youth wielding rocks and rage through the city Saturday night and Sunday, torching government buildings, as demands for presumably corrupt, hard-line governor, Ulises Ruiz, have gone unheard. We're awaiting word from Francisco now on the disturbances, which have sent 10 people to the hospital so far. We've got the story up on our AP feed for the week [see here], but the reporting seems to be heavily slanted towards the Mexican government's official line. See Francisco's earlier posts for a closer look . (And his web site, if not already visited, for more about him and his work: Francisco Alvarado

Some Dramatic Relief from the Grief of Oaxaca...

...Thanks to the penetrating eye of our friend, Francisco, on break from covering the pitched battles between the citizenry and the authorities.


November 9, 2006

Dear Friends and Colleagues:
I take a brief break from the protest marches of the Battle of Oaxaca to bring you my recent selection of photos from yesterday’s “Octava” or the eighth day of the Day of the Dead Celebrations in Soledad, Etla, Oaxaca.
Francisco

9 de noviembre, 2006
Estimados Amigos y Colegas:
Me tomo un pequeño descanso de las marchas
para enviarles la reciente selección de mis fotos
de la celebración de la Octava de Muertos en
Soledad, Etla, Oaxaca.
Francisco

Reporting from the ground in Oaxaca - iv

Commentary and images by Francisco Alvarado-Juarez


Oaxaca, 2:40 PM, Domingo, 5 de noviembre, 2006

Estimados Amigos y Colegas:
La Mega-Marcha pacífica de hoy un aproximado de cinco kilómetros de personas (500,0000) que inició en las afueras de la ciudad y entró hasta el Centro Histórico congregándose frente a la Iglesia de Santo Domingo a unas cuadras del Zócalo, continua sin ninguna confrontación. Mujeres, niños y hombres forman parte de la protesta contra las fuerzas invasoras de la PFP y el ejército. Adjuntos a la marcha, muchos artistas crean “performance”.
La Policía Federal Preventiva se atrincheró en el Zócalo utilizando las mismas barricadas de los maestros. Les incluyo algunas fotos de hoy.
Saludos,
Francisco

Dear friends and colleagues,
Today's peaceful Mega-March, covering approximately 5 kilometers of about 500,000 people began on the outskirts of the city, entering and moving towards the Historic Center and amassing opposite the Church of Santo Domingo, a few blocks from the Main Square. It has been proceeding without confrontation. Women, children and men are all part of the protest against the invading forces of the PFP (federal anti-riot force) and the army. As part of the march, many artists are creating "performance", or street theatre. The PFP has retrenched in the Main Square, using the same barricades that the teachers did [in the latters' demonstrations of earlier this year]. I'm including for you some of today's photos.


Way to go!

Reporting from the ground in Oaxaca III

Commentary and photos by Francisco Alvarado-Juarez unless otherwise noted.

3:00 PM -Jueves 2 de noviembre, 2006

Estimados Amigos y Colegas:

La Policía Federal Preventiva está atacando violentamente en estos momentos la Ciudad Universitaria-Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca. Los compañeros de la universidad resisten heroicamente frente a la violencia de la policía y el ejército fuertemente armado. Hay muchos heridos y posibles muertos. Toda el área de la ciudad universitaria está siendo constantemente bombardeada por gases lacrimógenos.

Yo personalmente vi pasar por la carretera que entra a la ciudad de Oaxaca unos 15 camiones llenos de policías fuertemente armados con metralletas y otras armas de fuego. Sobre mi departamento del Centro Histórico vuelan constantemente helicópteros del ejército. Hay que alertar a todo el mundo para que el gobierno del Presidente Vicente Fox pare esta represión en Oaxaca y no se convierta el día de hoy en una masacre nunca antes vista en esta bella ciudad. Lamento no tener imágenes que compartir con ustedes. En estos momentos no puedo llegar hasta donde están ocurriendo los hechos.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:
At this very moment, the is violently attacking University City of the Autonomous University of Benito Juarez in Oaxaca. The companeros of the university are putting up a heroic resistance in the face of the heavily armed police and army. there are many wounded and possible deaths. The entire area of the university complex is being constantly bombarded by tear gas.
I personally have seen passing through the highway that leads into the city of Oaxaca about 15 trucks full of police heavily armed with machine guns and other firearms. Above my aparment in the Historic Center army helicopters circle constantly. Everyone must be on the alert that [Mexican] President, Vicente Fox, put an end to the repression in Oaxaca and that today does not become one of a massacre never before seen in this beautiful city. I regret not having images to share with you. At this time I cannot reach the area where the events are unfolding.




3 de noviembre, 2006

My note: The Day of the Dead is perhaps the most characteristic celebration in the Mexican calendar, conflating the Christianity of Spain and vestiges of fantastical indigenous practices that refuse to be subsumed by catechismic, mundane renderings of the life of Christ. On various feast days, including Semana Santa--Holy Week--alfombras, or carpets laid out on the streets laden with images created from natural ingredients--such as flowers, earth and foodstuffs--pay homage to Christian, "pagan", and worldly figures, both historical and contemporary. Here, there are alfombras and altars erected for the Day of the Dead, Nov. in the streets, laden with offerings. As Francisco says, two of the altars are dedicated to Brad Will, independent news photographer shot dead by armed government forces attempting to quell the massive street protests.

Estimados amigos y colegas:
Me tomo este breve momento para enviarles mis fotos de las celebraciones del Día de Muertos en Oaxaca. Vi dos altares conmemorando la vida de Brad Will, nuestro hermano reportero asesinado por los agentes del gobierno. Para aquellos que no han visto las fotos de Brad y de sus asesinos, con gusto las enviaré. Estas no las he incluido por no ser mías y haberlas visto circulando en muchos medios. Mientras celebrábamos nuestros muertos la policía se preparaba para atacar a la Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez. Pero el pueblo le dio una lección más a las fuerzas invasoras.
Francisco

Dear friends and colleagues,
I'm taking this brief moment to send you my photos of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca. I saw 2 altars commemorating the life of Brad Will, our journalist brother assassinated by government agents. For those who haven't seen the photos of Brad and his assassins, I will be pleased to send them. Not being mine, I haven't included them, and because the media has been circulating them as well. While we were cebrating our dead, the police was preparing to attack the Benito Juarez Autonomous University. But the people taught the invading forces still another lesson [by their resistance].


Dear Friend:
Enclosed you will find some of my recent pictures of the “Day of the Dead” celebrations in Oaxaca. There were at least two alters commemorating the life of our brother Brad Will, murdered by the oppressive forces at the service of the government. For those who have not seen the photos of Brad and of his murderers, I will be happy to send them. While we celebrated our dead the government was preparing an attack on the University, but the people of Oaxaca repelled the invading federal police. - Francisco -




I gave my blood to tell the truth about a people.












Neither forgive nor forget

IWMF: Good Group Grants Good Women Awards

The International Women’s Media Foundation has granted three women its yearly award for Courage in Journalism. Amongst them is Jill Carroll, the Christian Science Monitor reporter captured and held for 82 days in Iraq. Also awarded were May Chidiac of Lebanon and Gao Yu of China.

The organization gave a Lifetime Achievement award to Elena Poniatowska, Mexican journalist, writer and social icon. Poniatowska was born in Paris into Polish nobility (her full name at birth was Princess Hélène Elizabeth Louise Amelie Paula Dolores Poniatowska Amor), moving to Mexico during World War II with her family. Educated in the States, Poniatowska returned to Mexico and eschewed her privileged background. She has devoted her life to social justice issues.

For most of her journalistic career, Poniatowska has written for Mexico City’s prominent daily, La Jornada.

Perhaps of greatest import has been her book, La Noche de Tlatelolco (Massacre in Mexico), which recounts the indiscriminate gunning down of student protesters, their supporters and innocent onlookers and passersby, during a march in the Tlatelolco district of the Mexican capital. Estimates of civilians killed during the army massacre of the afternoon and night of Oct. 2, 1968 range anywhere from 300 to several thousand.

The International Women’s Media Foundation is a super group of women journalists supporting women’s efforts for full participation in media. They provide training and seminars to enhance women’s skills and opportunities; liaise with and support women in perilous assignments worldwide; and do research, issuing reports on the role of women in the media.

The IWMF was especially helpful to me, providing invaluable contacts while I worked on my article, Women on War, for the Women’s Village.

So, “Hats (or whatever) off” to all the worthy women of the group and their awardees.

Reporting from the Ground in Oaxaca - II

photos and commentary by Francisco Alvarado-Juarez






URO (Gov. Ruiz): How many more deaths before you're outta
here?


7:30 PM, 30 de octubre, 2006
Estimados Amigos y Colegas:
Estas son algunas de mis fotos del “Segundo Día de la
Ocupación de Oaxaca” por la Policía Federal Preventiva. Ayer, durante la toma de Oaxaca se registraron tres muertes. La situación sigue muy difícil. Hoy la marcha pacífica de miles de ciudadanos ha concluido con un plantón en frente de la iglesia de Santo Domingo, en el centro histórico, solamente a unas cuadras del Zócalo
que se encuentra sitiado por la policía.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
These are some of my photos of the "Second Day of the Occupation of Oaxaca" by the PFP, the federal anti-riot force. Yesterday during the takeover of Oaxaca, three deaths were recorded. The situation continues to be very difficult. Today the peaceful march of thousands of citizens ended with a vigil opposite the Church of Santo Domingo in the Historic Center, just a few blocks from the Zocolo, or Main Square, which is currently besieged by the police.
















The blood of our fallen companeros compels us to go on til
victory.

PWC Diversity Leadership Scholarship, Internship, Conference Deadline Dec. 31

Financial services giant PriceWaterhouseCoopers has announced a December 31, 2006 deadline for applications to its annual PWC eXceed scholarships, a comprehensive program offering opportunities for Native American, African American, and Hispanic American college students to explore careers at PWC through internships and participation in an annual Diversity Business Leadership Conference, along with a $3,000 support stipend. Applications are accepted from Freshmen or Sophomores with a 3.2 or higher GPA, and an interest in Accounting, Management Information Systems, and/or Computer Science.

Also of Interest: It's that season for students to apply for next year's internships. Most deadlines are coming up by early December. Visit IMDiversity's seasonal Internships & Co-ops special page with categorized internships listings.

Reporting from the ground in Oaxaca

Reporting from the ground in Oaxaca

Yet another outcropping of Mexican indignance has been fomenting since September in the southern city of Oaxaca. 1994 saw the burgeoning of a mass movement of the impoverished indigenous in the state of Chiapas--the Zapatista rebellion--and, earlier this year, supporters of presidential candidate, Manuel Lopez-Obrador, virtually shut down the capital, Mexico City, protesting shady election results denying Lopez-Obrador victory.
Favored by tourists, perhaps for its gracefulness and surrounding ancient Zapotecan ruins of Mitla and Monte Alban, I’ve loved Oaxaca for the way the indigenous seem both to command and harmonize with its imposing colonial vestiges. And, I love the market, endless as a galaxy, where, many moons ago, I was given the definitive lesson in ugly Americanism. I was attempting to steal a photo of an indigenous woman, resplendent in a signature red and white striped huipil, her daughter on her lap as they sat on a cloth on the ground selling lusciously ripened red tomatoes piled in pyramids. But she proved a lot faster then both me and my shutter, grabbing an especially ripe orb in her hand and hurling it towards me in insult and pride. The tomato missed its mark, but the lesson hit home.

Briefly, organized resistance began in June when teachers, stymied in contract negotiations with the state, were joined in the street by students, workers and organized groups of the majority indigenous population, adding to their demands the removal of the governor, Ulises Ruiz, on grounds of corruption, strong-arm and stonewalling tactics. Ruiz has refused to negotiate, to meet with any of the many leaders of the protesters and is in virtual hiding, holed up somewhere in a hotel. The protesting groups and individuals have loosely affiliated as the Popular Assembly of the Oaxacan People, the APPO.

Tragically, at least 6 people have been killed thus far, including the North American independent journalist, Brad Will, shot, along with 3 Mexicans as paramilitary teams streamed in from the capital, with plainclothes and uniformed forces aligned with Governor Luiz also firing on the demonstrators. Reports from the ground that day feared a massacre, similar to the shooting of students and workers in Mexico City in October, 1968, that left upwards of 300 people dead.

On Nov. 6, three bombings in the capital linked to groups supporting the Oaxaca protesters damaged a bank, the office of Ruiz’ political party (the Partido Revolucionario Institucional),and the federal elections board, which had declared Ruiz governor and PRI candidate Felipe Calderon president on July 2, denying Lopez-Obrador victory.

The protests will continue until the resignation of Ruiz, who has expressed no intention of renouncing his term which would continue until 2010. And we will try our best to bring you reports from the ground as the situation demands.

Friend and peripatetic painter/installation artist as well as social activist, Francisco Alvarado-Juarez, has been in residence in Oaxaca, since September, 2005, working and traveling to various cities on a Fulbright scholarship. Although the term of the Fulbright ended this past July, Francisco remains in Oaxaca, working and chronicling via stunning photographs, the events of the last few months. Francisco was born in Honduras; he came to the States to study art at the age of 14. He’s based in New York, but travels throughout the Latin world, the US and Spain, working and exhibiting his artwork.

With one, the eye of an artist and the other, the vision of an activist, his visuals are a comprehensive, stirring documentary. He has offered us his photos and commentary, written in Spanish, which he’s allowed me to translate.

The photodocumentation is in chronological order, beginning with Francisco’s post of Oct. 29.

Estimados Amigos
Oaxaca está siendo de nuevo agredida. Esta vez por la Policía Federal Preventiva y el ejército. Ya han desalojado una buena parte del Centro Histórico. Hace menos de una hora la marcha pacífica multitudinaria del pueblo de Oaxaca llegaba al Zócalo de la ciudad y fue recibida con gases lacrimógenos.

Esta noche puede ser muy violenta.

Dear Friends,
Oaxaca is being attacked again. This time by the PFP—Federal anti-riot force—and the army. A great part of the city’s Historic District has been evacuated. Less than an hour ago the peaceful mass demonstration of the Oaxacan people reached the Main Square and were greeted by tear gas.

Tonight may be very violent.





Also on the net:
The Nation Magazine


From the Associated Press on an APPO leader, Flavio Sosa

"Post" mortems on the Menendez win

The Menendez Victory
Bob Menendez recalled his impoverished upbringing—seamstress mom, immigrant struggles (his family emigrated to the States pre-Cuban revolution)after handily taking rightful claim early tuesday night to the New Jersey senate seat to which he had been appointed by Jersey governor Jon Corzine.

Menendez' victory, an 8-point spread, 53% – 45%, was greater than the cliff-hanger predicted by polls and pundits throughout much of his down and dirty campaign against State Senator Tom Kean, Jr.

The press, pre-election, made much of the assumption that, with a 13% Hispanic state population, Union City’s favorite son would be bolstered by Latino support. Today, they’re lauding Menendez’ victory, concentrating not so much on his natural constituency, but on the white ethnics who might have shied away from a Latino candidate were it not for the sweeping discontent with Bush-Republican policies, especially the Iraq war.

For more on Menendez’ stand on the issues see article here, and:

Menendez Rides Democrats' Wave
BY MARK MUELLER
Star-Ledger Staff


Race Shows N.J. Voters Are Worlds Apart
BY BRIAN DONOHUE
Star-Ledger Staff
Two snapshots of the divergent worlds, and ultimately voting constituencies, of the contenders: Tom Kean’s snow-capped latte-in-hand private school moms and dads and Menendez’ cohorts whose expressos go down thick and in quick shots from formica-clad lunch conters.

Affirmative Action Ban Passes in Michigan

University of Michigan vows to seek legal remedies; drop in Black, Latino and Native American enrollment expected to follow.

Report by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, IMDiversity Asian American Village Acting Editor, in Ann Arbor.

A historic election for ethnic, women voter engagement nationwide

Nov. 8 - In a historic midterm election night, high turnout among American voters has significantly changed the balance of power in Washington DC, with the Democratic Party retaking the majority of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Anti-incumbent sentiment and dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq led to sweep in which Democrats wrested control of at least 28 seats, with 14 still undecided.

With two key Senate races, in VA and MT too close to call as of this writing, and likely headed to recount challenges, Democrats also stand chance to take back majority control of the Senate.The election saw historic landmarks set in a number of aspects. These include: Positioning Nancy Pelosi to become the first woman Speaker of the House; electing Deval Patrick as the first African American governor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and sending Democrat Keith Ellison, an African American, to represent Minnesota’s 5th as the first Muslim in the House of Representatives.

Preliminary exit polling indicates that unusually high turnout was reported nationwide, affected by a number of controversial ballot initiatives as well as support for specific candidates. Minority voters, swing voters and non-traditional coalition-building also played an important role in the shift. In the most recent exit poll figures by CNN, non-white voters veered strongly to the left, with 76% of non-white men and 78% of non-white women going Democrat.

The same data indicate that while white voters overall leaned Republican, it was by a smaller margin (51% GOP to 47%) than expected, due largely to a 49/49 split among white women voters. African American voters leaned even more heavily Democrat than expected, at 89%, despite the GOP’s fielding a number of prominent Black candidates in high-level races in states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania. Latino and Asian voters, who have traditionally been more inclined to lean Republican, emerged as clear and growing swing voters, breaking to the Democrats at 69% and 62% respectively. Other non-white voters including Native Americans tracked in CNN’s polling split 56% Democrat to 41% Republican.

CNN Calls Race for NJ's Bob Menendez

Shortly before 9 PM Eastern, CNN projected victory in the re-election effort of NJ Senator Bob Menendez, the Cuban American incumbent, over challenger, State Senator, Tom Kean, Jr.