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Reporter's Notebook: Nancy Davies

The War is On in Oaxaca

Posted by Nancy Davies - November 2, 2006 at 2:06 pm
The war is on in Oaxaca. It began at 8:00 AM with the gathering of the PFP and an infiltration by porros (hired thugs) along with state police in plain clothes. There are 5,000 PFP and many people if they're out there. The Rector of the university has called for unity and denounced the federal gov't. The University is an autonomous community. The radio is calling for pacific resistance but since the feds are using tear gas the people are pissed off and the report is that they are starting to use rocks and sticks. Several people have been arrested and wounded, including three children. A helicopter is there and presumably may airlift people to the airport for getting them into custody.

The barricades are up in Cinco Señores and the area surrounding University City. Most of the barricades are cars and barbed wire.

They also are calling for barricades at Santo Domingo where the APPO is camped.

About Nancy Davies

Biography
I’m a little old lady in sandalias, Plebian Consort of George Salzman on whose web-site some of my essays are posted. I write in every genre, I teach English, I hang out in the Mexican sunshine. I am in love with Subcomandante Marcos although we’ve met only in the noösphere.

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PFP Invade Autonomous University of Oaxaca

Submitted November 2, 2006 - 2:25 pm by Nancy Davies
At noon it looks like the troops are landing helicopters on university property to invade the station. Invading an autonomous university is a huge mistake on the part of Fox.

People are gathered and resisting with paint (throwing it on the armored cars), nails on the tires, gasoline (that sounds like fires). The military may be reinforcing, but this has not verified. Human rights observers, anybody with a camera or video should go to the University; people are wounded and are being arrested.

Tear gas is all over Cinco Señores and the residents are taking to the streets. Tear gas was also used in the morning. Sorriano area at Plaza del Valle is under attack, apparently there's a UABJO building there in the vicinity.

The call is out for everyone to resist.

Shades of 1968

The APPO mobilizes; PFP Continues It's Assault

Submitted November 2, 2006 - 4:24 pm by Nancy Davies
This is as bad as we could imagine. The APPO people in the Santo Domingo area are mobilizing. The military is backing the PFP with heavy weapons. The gas attacks are everywhere. Children have been injured and according to reports, abducted by helicopters. The first report, probably more accurate, is that arrested people get loaded into helicopters to be taken to the airport, that was the case yesterday. People with videos and cameras specifically get grabbed or shot.

All-out resistance is underway. More helicopters are arriving. The rumor that Fox ordered the PFP to back off appears false. The radio is calling for an ambulance at 1:50 this afternoon; someone is badly wounded. A confrontation is taking place between the people and the PFP at 1:45.

In addition to everything else, the PFP is invading the panteon (cemetery) to make sure no body is regrouping there. Bad idea on Day of the Dead.

"This is the moment to reorganize" is the message from the APPO. The PFP is entering every area. The radio reports that the PFP is planting arms to make it look like the people are armed.

The Battle of Oaxaca Leans in Favor of the People

Submitted November 2, 2006 - 5:36 pm by Nancy Davies
Now at 3:00, after broadcasting that the helicopters have been firing tear gas indiscriminately into neighborhoods, the radio suddenly announces that the PFP is surrounded. The APPO refuses to release them.

Then we hear that the explosions are savage, being fired from helicopters. Houses are on fire in residential neighborhoods. We hear that the APPO demands a total withdrawal and the resignation of URO. Seven are said to be wounded, a boy gravely.

PRI porros (hired thugs) gathered in front of the radio station – which was not invaded, I think because of the national outcry – the porros are provoking the movement supporters. I can hear a helicopter right now circling overhead in center. We are close to Santo Domingo and the APPO may have called for retaking the zocalo.

Seven people were arrested in Cinco Señores, and the APPO demands their release. Many wounded, including women and children.

This is the Battle of Oaxaca. You read it here first. But I'm going to wait for the real reporters to report in.

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