What were the Oaxacan protests all about in 2006?

For 25 years prior to 2006, and since, the teachers in Oaxaca have been protesting, and in fact their demonstrations continue in the Zócalo, as we visit.  Prior to 2006 the protests usually lasted a couple of weeks. The issues in 2006 were inadequate funding and salaries as demanded by the teachers union.  The protagonists were the union,  and the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) which was created by a popular assembly of the protesters, versus the state's governor, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz.  In 2006 the union demanded the resignation of the Governor, and in May the government responded with police against the non-violent protesters with the protesters being fired upon. This resulted in the creation of APPO, which has never been able to negotiate an agreement with the government.

In mid-June another violent confrontation occurred between 3000 police and the protesters resulting in over 100 hospitalizations.  The Governor refused to resign.  APPO declared itself to be the governing body of Oaxaca, and started putting up barricades on the downtown streets of Oaxaca.  In August the union took over the television and radio stations and Governor Ulises Ruis left and stayed in Mexico City for several months. (He remained in office until November 30, 2010; see info about his tenure and controversies at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulises_Ruiz)  On October 26, U.S. journalist Brad Will was killed in Oaxaca.  On October 29-30 about 3,500 federal police and 3000 military police removed protesters in downtown Oaxaca's Zócalo, with a backup of 5,000 army troops waiting just outside the city.  Several protestors and leaders were killed. 

“On Saturday, November 25, 2006, a large clash between the federal police and demonstrators occurred in the evening following the seventh megamarch held by the APPO. The march began peacefully, but the situation turned violent when the police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters attempted to encircle the city's Zócalo. It is unclear who instigated the violence, but the clash quickly spread through the city as protesters fought back with rocks and homemade PVC rockets. Police took the APPO encampment in the Santo Domingo plaza and arrested more than 160 people. Many APPO supporters were hospitalized, and the deaths of three protesters were reported but remain unconfirmed.” (Copied from Wikipedia)

In late November, the Chief of the Federal police said that no more violence, nor the conduct of APPO would be tolerated. Soon after, APPO removed their barricades, left the radio stations, and their leaders went into hiding.  By early December the protests had come to an end after seven months.  The aftermath of the protests and violence was a near total devastation of the tourist industry in Oaxaca, which has taken many years to rebuild.

(Much of this article is a shortened and paraphrased version of the Wikipedia history of the protests.  For much more detail and referrals to information about the key players, events, and politics visit: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_oaxaca_uprising)

Post Script:  As our stay in Oaxaca comes to an end, the national news about education in Mexico is becoming very interesting.  New Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto got a sweeping education reform bill passed.  This new policy is intended to restructure teacher selection and review based on performance, not inheritance and history.  The President of the largest teachers union (National Education Workers Union) who is Elba Esther Gordillo and has held the post 1989, said recently (paraphrasing), the current education system will be changed over my dead body.  On February 26, 2013, Mexican President Nieto signed the new law. On February 27, Gordillo and two other union leaders were arrested for embezzlement of millions of dollars of union funds. Because of the seriousness of the crimes no bail has yet been allowed.  This will be an interesting story to follow in the International Press.  

 

Elba Esther Gordillo

(Photo copyright The News - Mexico City English online newspaper)

 

Quirky Living Note

 

Blue lights on cars and trucks -  One of the more distracting aspects of night driving in Oaxaca is the use by private citizens of small blue flashing lights put indiscriminately on the front, back or maybe all over the vehicle.  Occasionally, they will drive with only these blue lights and not even use headlights.  In the U.S. this is prohibited and blue lights are allowed to be used only by law enforcement.  I have had many court cases where young Mexicans have put blue lights on their cars and have received traffic tickets for this violation.  Their response is always that they did not know it was illegal.