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APPO and Supporters Preparing to March

As the caravana of suporters from Mexico Federal District (DF) left the Hemiciclo yesterday at noon for Oaxaca, hundreds crowded the streets to cheer them on their way. The scene was repeated throughout the journey, with indigenous women in traditional dress lining the highway at several points. The 10 buses and 50 cars that left DF had been joined by scores more along the way, and despite several arms searches of vehicles by AK-47 -toting military (the only people actually carrying guns), the caravana eventually arrived after a 20 hour trip, to be greetd by scores of appreciative locals, and a brass band. Thousands are now gathered beneath the monument to Juarez at Crucero de Viguera for today's megamarch.

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Caravana leaving the Hemiciclo cheering supporters lining the street

APPO demands for the ouster of Governonr Ulises Ruiz and the withdrawal from Oaxaca of the federal police and military have so far met with Ruiz' continued refusal to budge. Despite his resignation being requested by both houses of parliament, and a desperate attempt to dig dirt on his financial dealings to get rid of him, which should be relatively simple given the widespread corruption of his administration, Ruiz has merely dug in his heels.

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Cheering supporters greet the caravanas arrival in Oaxaca

APPO and its supporters are equally determined, and following the gross and systematic human rights abuses of the past week, this time they are accompanied by a contingent of human rights observers.

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Supporters gather at the Hemiciclo in DF

Locals thronged the streets and overbridges to welcome the marchers from Mexico Federal District and other States, cheering, clapping, and shouting support.

From the oldest to the youngest, entire families turned out, just like they did last Thursday to defend the University from the threatened military invasion.

Even when they reached the church, the endpoint of the march, the only police presence was plains-clothed officers spying on, and filming the crowd. For that much, at least, Oaxaca can today be thankful.

Oaxaca - Teachers Move, Ruiz and Fox in Check

Following yesterday's peaceful megamarch in Oaxaca, which swelled to between 50,000 and 100,000 as it progressed 12 km through the city, the teachers who 'started it all' themselves took to the streets thismorning in a similarly peaceful and practically incident-free march. The Preventive Federal Police, who yesterday barricaded themselves behind razorwire in the Zocalo with their tails between their legs in the face of the extraordinary show of courage and solidarity from the people of Oaxaca and their supporters, were again notable only for their absence. Despite repeated fly-overs of a federal spy plane, and some provocation from the sidelines, the 30,000 or more marchers remained in high spirits, and absolutely determined in their resolve to maintain the peace.

The teachers have now presented their ultimatum - they will not return to the classrooms until Ulises Ruiz is gone. The people of Oaxaca, and increasingly of Mexico, are behind them in their demands that the problems of Oaxaca be solved through peaceful negotiation, and the withdrawal of Federal forces should accompany that of Ruiz.

The Popular Peoples' Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO) has set dates to commence discussions for the programme of reformation in the State, there is immense goodwill and commitment to the proposals for change in most sectors, and given the opportunity, there is every reason to expect that, given the chance, the people of Oaxaca can return to the peaceful and harmonious government of their State - this time, in everyone's interests.

Ruiz and Fox are in check - all that remains to be seen is whether they will concede defeat, or whether, like spoilt brats, they will overturn the board.

ENDS