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Published: June 17th 2006
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Riot
A snapshot of the police action on the zocalo Friends,
In case you hadn´t heard already, the other morning the massive teacher strike that has been occurring since late May took a turn for the worst when police stormed the zocalo with the hopes of removing them. Below is a narrative written by a UNM Professor who witnessed first-hand the events that took place.
It has been my experience that the teacher's strike has caused some tension within Oaxaca. On the onehand I admire the teachers for sitting and sleeping in the streets of the Zocalo and surrounding areas and fighting for what they believe in. On the other hand, Oaxacan residents say that the teachers are spoiled, earn 7-10 times the average wage of Oaxacan residents while working only 4 hours a day. In fact many people have told me that many teachers would prefer not to strike but that the Union is making them do it and many teachers comply for fear of being reprimanded if they don't follow along.
I guess I can see both sides of the story in that the Government has the obligation of fiscal responsability which supposedly would be unbalanced if they give in to the teacher's demands. Yet, having seen some of the local schools around here it is obvious that the education system needs a revamping and school conditions and materials must be approved. Nevertheless, the teachers have returned to the zocalo and yesterday participated in a mega march which culminated in the EL LLANO PARK. Thanks for reading.
JUAN
Family, friends, colleagues, compañeros:
Early this morning the situation of the
massive teacher strike and encampment in the
center of Oaxaca took a violent turn. The
teachers have been encamped for 23 days in
the historic center of the city of Oaxaca,
covering between 40-70 city blocks (depending
on the report) with their sit-in. They are
demanding increased educational supports (
student breakfasts, increased salaries) and
attention to quality education for Oaxaca´s
indigenous and highly impoverished students
and communities. They are also calling the
government to account for increased and
violent repressions. The governor had given no
response to their demands, their blockades,
or their encampments - until early this
morning.
By chance I asked to join the teachers
last night, to stay with them in support and
especially to learn more deeply from them
about their commitments and organized actions.
These are teachers I have collaborated with
closely for 6 years. This past weekend we
worked together on a public education campaign
in the encampment. Last night I asked and they
accepted that I stay with them in their camp.
About midnight there was an intense rumor
that the federal and state police were intending
to clear out the encampment by force. All of the
teachers in the encampment met in their educational
zones and "jefaturas"
(school districts) and organized. Scouts were
sent out to assess any police movements in the
streets. The report came back that there were
no movements. Guards were set up throughout
the encampment but everyone settled in to sleep,
thinking that this was another threat of
police action to spread fear, as had happened
ten days ago on both Friday and Sunday nights.
On that occasion, women teachers and their
children were moved to safe buildings but
ultimately no action occurred.
About five this morning, the report came
that indeed police were gathering on the
fringes of the the massive encampment. The
teachers had organized barriers during the
night, but it was clear that a massive police
action was now expected. All of us were on
alert, we took with us what we could easily
carry, and held each other tightly as we
began to move from the Zocalo through the
encampment toward the famous Santo Domingo
church outside of the encampment. Originally
the plan had been to congregate in the center
of the Zocalo at the kiosk if any police
action occurred. However, by the time we were
on alert, the kiosk was filled with people and
quickly filled with police gases. We began to
move out of the Zocalo, through the side streets
toward Santo Domingo. Since all of these
streets were part of the encampment, it was
difficult going, with many tents and hundreds
of people moving, trying not to panic. (It is
calculated that some 70,000 Oaxacan teachers
are part of this strike). The gases were now
filling the streets and it was difficult to
breathe.
Suddenly we saw a huge wooden door open to
one of the buildings along our path (the
School of Law, for those who know Oaxaca).
About 500 of us went into the Law School for
safety. We were technically still within the
blocks of the encampment, but the Law School
had never been publicized as a safe building for
the teachers in case of police action. Whoever
ordered that door to open to us certainly saved
many of us from brutal attack and perhaps from
death.
We hid inside the Law School for 5 hours.
At first we stayed as quiet as 500 frightened
people could stay, including many mothers and
several children. It was amazing that there was
no panic. When police helicopters buzzed
overhead dropping gas we moved away from the
open central patio. Then the word came that
we were all to move into the classrooms in case
the police broke in and there was hand to hand
confrontation. We were in the classrooms for
perhaps another two hours. Two teachers had
radios so we were hearing the news reports
(it was now after 8 a.m.). Police were forcing
those teachers who had taken refuge in San Felipe
Neri church out with teargas. We could hear
the gas cannisters pop and the helicopters
overhead, and on the radio we heard the shouts
and cries of the teachers. We were not sure
whether the government forces knew where we
were hidden. Rumors raged wildly. Thanks God
for cell phones because the teachers were
getting the word out for help and trying to
coordinate plans.
Finally about 10 a.m. the word came that
there were marches of teachers coming to
liberate us. This was both thrilling and
terrifying since rumors were so hard to
confirm or disprove. Water was passed around
to that we could each wet some rag or piece of
cloth to cover our faces to deter the gases.
The doors to the street were opened and, holding
each other tightly, we began to move out of
the building. We had no idea what we would
encounter.
Thank God, the faces that met us were teachers,
armed only with bats and poles, but assuring us
that they had foced the police back and that we
could proceed out of the encampment safely.
They were asking about our safety, we were crying
and thanking them. It was an amazing, humbling,
incredible sight. As we walked the blocks to
safely, we passed another march by an organization
of rural parents coming in support of the teachers.
As I have been writing this email, another
march of parents entered the city. It looks and
feels as though the pueblo of Oaxaca has taken up
arms against this repressive governor and
government. We will see what the next days
bring, as this kind of popular uprising is sure
to bring about increased repression.
There has been amazing solidarity by people
in the streets. A teacher came out to us and
invited us into her home, to use her bathroom,
and offered us food and drink. After walking
many more blocks away from the Zocalo, we were
able to get a taxi and get to our homes.
To my knowledge, all of the 500 of us who
took refuge in the Law School were liberated
by the techers without harm. We were blessed.
As I walked to an internet cafe to send this
internet, teachers are standing in groups at
critical corners throughout the historic
downtown. I understand they have retaken the
Zocalo. They are undefeated and surely this
stupid police action has future militarized
people throughout the state.
There have been some teachers detained and
some people wounded. I understand there was
at least one death. Whatever you read or hear,
please know that the teachers were unarmed.
There was no resistance as we fled the Zocalo.
I believe some teachers began to resist with
bats and poles when they saw how brutal the
police attack against unarmed people was.
I ask that you please spread this word as
widely as possible. I will try to keep you
informed as best I can. The teachers and the
pueblo of Oaxaca need your support, your
anger, and your prayers at this time.
But please know, they are NOT defeated!
Lois Meyer
U. of New Mexico
from Oaxaca
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Susan
non-member comment
teacher's strike
Thank you for your perspective on the strike, Lois. I am eager for more information about what is currently happening. I know from friends with school-age children that the Oaxaca public schools are in great need of reform. I can't imagine that any qualified person who knows about education would make the comment that the teachers already make too much money and don't really support the strike , as sited in the blog that preceeded yours.