Arizonans Join Global Oaxaca Solidarity Actions

"On November 20, blockades will be set up to show the Mexican government we mean business. We are calling upon YOU to join in these blockades. That could mean blockading the consulates’ websites, jamming their phone lines with calls about the conflict in Oaxaca, occupying the offices of the consuls, or shutting down the roads around the consulates in whatever way you see fit." – EZLN

The EZLN has announced that it will help coordinate a nationwide shut-down on November 20. This call has been matched by people in Phoenix and Tucson to show that the world has not taken its eyes off Oaxaca, that on the contrary, the mobilization in support of those who struggle there is only gathering momentum.

If we do not show Vicente Fox that paramilitaries and federal forces cannot brutalize Oaxaca with impunity, the blood of an entire murdered resistance movement will be on our hands. Now is the time to act in solidarity with those who struggle in Oaxaca, in solidarity with the Zapatistas who have called on us to support them, and in solidarity with all who struggle against government and capitalism across the world.

TUCSON November 20th ACTIONS

11:30 a.m. – Local convergence/demonstration at Mexican Consulate
Noon – 4 p.m. – Solidarity Event w/ speakers at the UofA Mall
7 p.m. – Multimedia Presentation w/ speakers & videos at AME Building on the UofA campus

For more info please visit

PHOENIX November 20th ACTIONS

10:30 a.m. – Noon - Phoenix Anarchist Coalition Demonstration at Mexican Consulate
3:00 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Mexicanas/os and Oaxaquenas/os Demonstration at Mexican Consulate

For more info please visit

GLOBAL ACTIONS

On the Ground Coverage from AZ Indymedia in Oaxaca City

Click below for regular updates from Oaxaca City, posted as events unfold:

10/29: Update from Oaxaca pt. 1, 10/30: Update from Oaxaca pt. 2, Update from Oaxaca pt. 3
10/31: Update from Oaxaca pt. 4, 10/31: English translation of update posted to Indymedia Oaxaca, Minute-to-minute update of events on 10/31 in Oaxaca City
11/1: Update from Oaxaca pt. 5 - Update from Oaxaca pt. 6 Minute-to-minute update of events on 11/1 in Oaxaca City and Across Mexico from CML Oaxaca

11/2: Update from Oaxaca pt. 7 - PFP enter second phase of repression against the social movements. Minute-to-minute updates of events on 11/2. "November 2nd: The War of the Flea" (Chiapas Indymedia)
11/3: The Lies of the Mexican State in Oaxaca "Que Dicen La Verdad" - a song for Radio APPO

11/5: Update from Oaxaca pt. 8
11/7: Update from Oaxaca pt. 9

Breaking News in Spanish from Centro de Medios Libres Oaxaca - see also Indymedia Mexico and Narco News

Photos from Indybay journalist in Oaxaca. more photos

Over 100 Protest at Tucson Mexican Consulate to Demand Justice in Oaxaca

Seven demonstrators were cited by police for obstructing traffiic when a crowd of over 50 people blocked all but 1 lane of Stone Avenue in front of the Mexican Consulate. The protest took to the street after first entering into dialogue with the consul and his staff out in front of the building. A letter was signed by many of the approximately 100 attendees, stating demands for justice for the murdered, and end to the violence in Oaxaca, for the resignation of Oaxaca governor Ulises Ruiz, and the release of political prisoners. The letter was then turned over to the Consul for forwarding on to the Mexican federal government.
Read More>>>>

A protest was also held on 10/30 at the Mexican consulate in Phoenix. See photos and a report of the Phoenix action.

Other Oaxaca Solidarity Actions around the Nation & World

NYC Indymedia journalist and others killed by paramilitary PRI supporters

Brad went to Oaxaca in early October to document the story that Commercial Media simulators like Rebecca Romero of Associated Press distort instead of report: the story of a people sick and tired of repression and injustice, who take back the government that rightfully is theirs. In that context, his assassination is also a consequence of what happens when independent media must do the work that Big Media fails to do: to tell the truth.
Read More at Narco News

From U.S. Indymedia Center:
A shooting occurred today in Oaxaca City, Mexico, leaving New York City Indymedia journalist Bradley Will dead after being shot in the chest. He died before reaching the hospital, according to La Jornada. A photographer from the newspaper Milenio Diario, who was at Will's side, was shot in the foot and reported injured, his status unknown.
Read More at U.S. Indymedia Center

Read More at Reuters

Zaptista Other Campaign Meets With the Peoples of the Border

"What we are trying to plant here is that we have to unite as indigenous peoples. The earth dies the same in O'odham territory, Navajo, Cherokee, Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Purepecha, Nahuatl, and we must unite - not only in Mexico, but with the entire continent.

Those that are already high up, “up above”, have already demonstrated throughout the centuries that the only thing they are capable of is destroying the earth. No more – that’s enough! Now we are going to take the destiny of the earth and its defense into our hands. We won't leave it another minute in the hands of the rich.

We, who have the color of the earth - and who have hearts of corn regardless of the color of our skin - we have to do it, because if we don't the world will disappear."

click here for a full English / Spanish transcription of Marcos' speech, and here for more coverage of the meeting in Magdalena de Kino.

For further coverage of the Other Campaign, please visit Narco News

Arizona Observes National Day Against Police Brutality

The eleventh annual National Day Against Police Brutality occurs this October 22nd and Arizona communities have some plans for this day. According to Phoenix Copwatch member Sean Whitcomb, "The problem of police brutality is invisible to most people. October 22 is a chance for us to show the Phoenix area that it doesn't just happen in LA or New York, but right here in our own backyards. These events will show people how to recognize police abuse, how to prevent it from happening, and what to do if and when it happens to you or your loved ones."

In Tempe on Wednesday, October 18 will be a showing of the Miami Model, a video which documents police repression and violence against FTAA protesters, followed by a speaker who witnessed the brutality in Miami. Planned for Saturday in Phoenix is a showing of the video Every Mother's Son followed by discussion about local cases of police brutality and killings and what to do about it. Sunday's Glendale events include a know-your-rights forum and a video showing of These Streets are Watching about your rights when interacting with the police. In Phoenix on Monday the 23rd will be a rally and vigil against police brutality starting in the location where Phoenix's Louie Arriaga Jr. was attacked by an officer. More information and details can be found here.

See also: phoenixcopwatch.org
and setlouiefree.com

In Flagstaff there will be a Public Forum with the following speakers:
Kyle Barcia Family (Kyle was killed by Flagstaff Police in August 2006)
Keith McHenry (Food Not Bombs)
Dezbah Bahee (Youth of the Peaks)
Katie Nelson (Catalyst Info Shop)
More information is here.

See also: bringtheruckus.org

EPA and Mexican Govn’t Try to Push Dump On O’odhams

On October 12, 2006, Indigenous People’s Day , members from 7 valley groups stood outside of the Phoenix mexican Consulate to say no to a proposed chemical waste dump to be located outside the O’odham sacred village of Quitovac, in Mexico. The site would potentially treat and separate up to 45,000 tons of hazardous waste materials annually, including asbestos, organochlorides, and waste sludge from industries. The project, just a few miles south of the border, has been conducted with no involvement of the Indigenous O'odham communities.

Members of Gila River Alliance for a Clean Environment , O’odham Youth Collective , Yoeme Youth Alliance, Phoenix Anarchist Coalition , Phoenix Earth First! , Glendale Food Not Bombs , and Phoenix Food Not Bombs all joined in solidarity with protesters in other cities and states to tell the mexican government they oppose this wretched dump.

Indymedia Audio and Phoenix Anarchist statement from the Protest

Indymedia Photos from the Protest

For more info please email Gila River Alliance for a Clean Environment at contaminatedinaz@yahoo.com, or O'odham Rights Cultural and Environmental Justice Coalition Coalition at uyarivas@hotmail.com

New Arizona Gun Law Targets Animal-rights Activists

The Arizona Legislature passed a new gun law that states walking into a hunter's gunfire will be fault of the person who gets shot, not the shooter.

With the passage of House Bill 2130, a person putting herself/himself in the line of fire can be charged with a misdemeanor. The law also forbids making a loud noise near a hunter about to shoot and expands the list of actions that constitute a class 2 misdemeanor for intentional interference, prevention or disruption of a legal hunt . The law takes effect Sept. 21.

Clearly, this new gun law is targeted at animal-rights direct action activists who have been using passive, non-violent tactics to protect Arizona's wildlife from hunters.

While the newspapers failed to look deeply into this new law, the fact sheet for Bill 2130 details that culprit behind the bill is the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) who want to stiffen the penalty for "interfering with hunters." The recent successful campaigns by Arizona Earth First! to protect wildlife from hunters - sandhill cranes, mountain lions, black bear, bighorn sheep, Gunnison's prairie dog - have driven AGFD to appeal to politicians for stronger laws.

Hundreds Show Support During Peaks Appeals!

San Francisco, CA - Hundreds of people gathered today in front of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, unified in efforts to save a sacred mountain in Arizona from desecration by a proposed ski resort development. The courts heard arguments against the ski resort’s proposed expansion and plan to make snow out of treated sewage effluent. This wastewater has been proven to contain harmful contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, hormones and cancer causing agents.

“Just the thought of making snow with reclaimed sewer water on the San Francisco Peaks should be an affront to all people of conscience,” said Howard Shanker of the Shanker Law Firm who represented the Navajo Nation, Havasupai, Yavapai Apache, White Mountain Apache, Sierra Club, and others. “The Peaks are sacred to 13 of the Tribes in the Southwestern United States. We are here because the lower court decision was wrong. We are hopeful that this will be a case where what the court determines to be legal is also right and morally defensible.”

9th Circuit Court of Appeals hears case Sept. 14, events

The efforts continue to protect the sacred San Francisco Peaks from ski area expansion and snowmaking with treated sewage effluent. On Sept. 14th the legal battle to save the Peaks will continue in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, CA. Support/Awareness events will be held in California and in Flagstaff.

FLAGSTAFF EVENTS:

Charges Dropped Against No More Deaths Volunteers

Oaxacan Benefit Dinner & Video Night

Sanctuary Not Slaughter for the Sandhill Cranes

After nearly being wiped out of Arizona in the early 1900s, the Arizona Game and Fish Department still allows hundreds of hunters to kill cranes every year. As rivers are diverted, wet lands drained, and farms developed, what little habitat that remains for the Sandhill grows smaller year after year. Add trophy hunting to this formula, and a blue print for extinction emerges.

Earth First! will be screening a film and giving workshops on Sandhill Crane defense to show what various tactics you can do to fight this horrible hunt. They'll be showing a 30 min. documentary on the subject, on top of holding a workshop, and Q&A; session. Below are the cities around AZ they'll be touring:

Aug. 26th: Prescott- 7 PM @ the Catalyst Infoshop

Aug. 27th: Flagstaff- 4 PM @ the Applesauce Teahouse

Sept. 15th: Phoenix- 7 PM @ the Fair Trade Cafe

Oct. 7th: Tucson- 6:30 PM @ the Dry River Infoshop w/ Bodhisattva, Early Black , and Zechs Marquise(TX)

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them a line at phoenixef@excite.com

Fight Mesa Police Brutality August 26

The Madrigal family continues to fight for justice for their son, Mario Madrigal Jr. Come out on Saturday, August 26 to support the struggle for justice against police brutality! The system is broken when there can be no justice for a 15 year old, wrongly murdered by police.

On August 25, 2003 Mesa police officers Richard Henry, Mark Beckett, and Sgt. Orlando Dean murdered Mario Madrigal Jr., a 15-year old Mesa boy, after his parents had called for a crisis team to come to their house to help their depressed son. Shortly after the police had arrived at the Madrigal home, Mario Jr. was dead inside the home, the victim of three trigger happy cops, killing a young man whose parents had only wanted help from the officers. Mario Jr. was not a criminal, he would not have gone to jail that night or have faced any charges, yet the police killed him anyway and have consistently lied and covered up the true circumstances of Mario's death. We will not and cannot forget this horrible homicide by the Mesa PD!

WHERE: Mesa Central Police Station, 130 North Robson -- on the northwest corner of Robson and 1st Street, about a block northeast of Country Club and Main in downtown Mesa.

WHEN: Saturday August 26th, at 4:00 PM.

Bring signs, banners, candles.

For more info check out the call to action. Contact People United Against Police Abuse at: justiceformario@yahoo.com

Protesters Set to Show Support for Lt. Watada

On August 17th, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada will face a pre-trial hearing for refusing to deploy to Iraq. “It is my conclusion as an officer of the armed forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law. The war and what we’re doing over there is illegal,” explained the first military officer to publicly take such a stand.

On Wednesday, August 16, the day prior to the hearing, The Arizona Counter-Recruitment Coalition (www.arizonacrc.org) will converge on the Armed Forces Induction Center, One N. 1st. St. at the corner of Washington St. in downtown Phoenix @ 10 am. Counter-recruiters are joining in solidarity with The Friends and Family of Lt. Ehren Watada around the country in calling for a “National Day of Education” to pose the question, “Is the war illegal?”

For more info please write azcrc@riseup.net for more info.

Bi-national Effort Provides Assistance to Thousands of Deported Migrants Every Week

No More Deaths has launched a new Nogales project with Mexican partners to provide assistance to newly deported migrants.

On July 11th in the Mexican National Institute of Immigration (INM) for Nogales, Sonora, a historic partnership was formed between the No More Deaths coalition and Mexican authorities. The press conference announced the new bi-national agreement to give support and humanitarian aid to the thousands of migrants repatriated to Mexico each week.

The project has formed and gained momentum very quickly. Just the week prior, the Commission’s office in Nogales, Sonora, where the No More Deaths project is based, was filled with 19-tons of water, which is more than 18,000 bottles of water. Due to this partnership, the No More Deaths volunteers were granted authorization by the Mexican authorities to pass through the port with more than 30 loads of this water.

No More Deaths has also launched a similar project in Agua Prieta, Sonora, where about 100 migrants are repatriated each day. Since June 30th NMD volunteers - including many locals - have provided life-saving aid 24 hours a day, meeting migrants as they are returned to Mexico.

Meanwhile, the body count continues to grow on the southern border, with more than 178 deaths in Arizona alone since last year. On July 27th four migrants drowned in a drainage canal near Nogales Arizona. An 11-year-old girl crossing the desert with her sister died of heatstroke on July 25th, after being rushed to a hospital in nearby Sells, AZ. During the same week four other bodies were recovered in the desert near Tucson.

Phoenix Earth First! Plans a New Campaign by Attacking Climate Chaos

Ever have an idea to stop global warming, but never knew how to put it into action? Can’t stand all our air pollution? Are you sick of corporations reaping huge profits while destroying the environment at the same time? Well if you said yes to any one of these then you will want to attend Earth First’s Climate Caucus meeting this Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m., held at the Willow House in Phoenix. All are welcome to attend.

Earth First! is standing up along with other groups such as Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty and Rising Tide in the battle against those destroying not only the Earth and it's species, but also the communities and people of the world they are in solidarity with. “An attack against this planet, its people and its species is an attack against all of us,” states Phoenix Earth First!

Visit Earth First! Journal for more information or email phoenixef@excite.com

Local Group to Confront County Attorney, Sheriff Joe and his Posse

This Friday, June 16th, protesters will confront the recent actions of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas that have put over two hundred immigrants in jail since March.

An anti-human smuggling law, passed in August of last year, is being used to criminalize people who are not committing the crime the law was intended to punish, but are, according to Arpaio and Thomas, conspirators who can be charged because they allegedly paid someone to smuggle them across the border. Despite the fact that the authors of this state law have opposed the misuse of this law, arrests continue. Additionally, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled last Friday that people can indeed be prosecuted in this context.

Local activists are concerned due to the fact that Sheriff Joe’s posse is on the job to arrest possible smugglers and conspirators, likely leading to racial profiling. A member of Sheriff Joe’s posse has also been linked to hate speech against immigrants. “I’m horrified at the thought of over-zealous armed civilians in Sheriff Joe’s posse hunting brown-skinned immigrants,” says Phoenix Copwatch member Alia Souissi. Phoenix Copwatch, a group which fights police brutality, is the organizer of the event, which will include protest at the Madison Street Jail, Sheriff Joe’s office, and Andrew Thomas’ office.

The group is calling for an end to the enforcement of this law against immigrants who are not smuggling people across the border, the release from jail of all those charged with conspiracy, and a stop to Sheriff Joe’s posse’s arrest efforts. For more details on the protest, click here.

Eat Mole with the Magonistas!

Come to the dinner on Sunday June 11th, learn about CIPO-RFM, and help the indigenous people of Oaxaca.

CIPO-RFM, the Consejo Indígena Popular de Oaxaca “Ricardo Flores Magón” (People's Indigenous Council of Oaxaca) is a representative group of Indigenous peoples in the state of Oaxaca Mexico. The Council is an independent, autonomous organization which seeks to empower the poor, disenfranchised, indigenous people of the region.

The Magonista Caravan is a group of people from Tucson who will be travelling to Oaxaca to work with the CIPO communities.

You are invited to join us for a traditional Oaxacan meal to raise money to buy medicines and medical supplies to take with us to help the communities.

Celebrate Environmental and Animal Rights Activism

The term Green Scare, alluding to the Red Scare of the 1940s-50s, is an expression used by activists to refer to actions taken by the U.S. government against individuals within the environmental and animal liberation movements in the last eight months. The term has been widely used to describe the sweep of arrests, indictments, grand juries, and large-scale surveillance that has been taking place around the country. Many have alluded to these actions as a “green witch hunt”, aimed at disrupting and discrediting local and national environmental and animal rights movements. To read more about the Green Scare, click here.

Events in Arizona are part of a global weekend of solidarity with eco-prisoners, including Jeff “Free” Luers, an environmental activist, who received a disproportionately long sentence (22 ½ years) six years ago after confessing to attempting to burn three SUVs at an auto dealership in Eugene, Oregon, as desperate attempt to bring awareness to global warming, pollution, and war for oil.
What's going on around Arizona:
Phoenix
What: Demo against government intimidation at Phoenix FBI office (201 E. Indianola Ave - South of Indian School Rd on 2nd St), Saturday, June 10th at 3pm
For more information, click here.
Tucson
Join us on June 17th to celebrate environmental activism! A day of films, workshops and discussion, with music by Peg Millett, at the Historic Y Auditorium, 300 East University Avenue.
JUNE 10 "Resist the Green Scare Punk/HC Show" at Dry River Infoshop
Flagstaff
A rally was held on June 3rd on the City Hall front lawn.

more information and background of those impacted by the Green Scare in Arizona | More information on Green Scare events in general | more information on the Green Scare and supporting eco-prisoners.

Third Annual Migrant Trail Walk Ends Sunday

Read More>>> | More information about the Migrant Trail Walk | Arizona IMC Border Issues Coverage

In Solidarity with Atenco!

In Resistance to Empire!

Protest at Wal-Mart, Sunday, May 28 @ 1pm

1650 W Valencia Rd.

On May 3rd and 4th, state and federal police attacked the municipality of San Salvador Atenco in Mexico. Hundreds were arrested and abused, a 14 yr old boy, Francisco Javier Cortes Santiago, was killed, and 45 of 47 women arrested have reported sexual abuse including rape. So what does this have to do with the great American low-wage shopper's paradise? The police action was in response to local vendors of Atenco resisting forced removal from land used as an open market and support from the community. Wal Mart has plans to replace the area where locals gather to sell their goods with a Wal Mart. Atenco has recent history with resistance, having stopped an airport from being built on their farmlands. They have recieved support from La Otra Campana(The other Campaign) and the EZLN, and we must step up and put international pressure for justice on this issue.

A Carpool will be meeting at 12pm at Dry River, 657 W St Mary's Rd. If you have room or need a ride please come.
For more info: CMI-Chiapas - Mexico Solidarity Network