Tio Zapata in Troy, NY
Posted November 20th, 2006 by eliot
In solidarity with the EZLN’s call for a general strike throughout Mexico today, a few activists in upstate New York reclaimed a rather hideous statue of Uncle Sam in downtown Troy:
UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF OAXACA
(Troy, NY) November 20, 2006
Who: Concerned People’s of Troy and the Tio Zapata Brigada
Where: The Uncle Sam Monument, River and Front Street, Troy, NY
What: Uncle Sam stands for freedom and democracy and people in the southern state of Oaxaca in Mexico are being violently repressed by corrupt government and paramilitary forces. In solidarity with freedom for the peoples of Mexico and on the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, Uncle Sam choose to honor another hero of freedom, Emiliano Zapata, by dressing up in his iconic garb. HE WANTS YOU to take action in support of the people’s popular movement in Oaxaca.
Why: On November 20th, allies of the EZLN will shut down Mexico in a general strike in protest of repression and recent murders in Oaxaca. For the past six months, the people of Oaxaca have staged an encampment and led a social movement to oust their governor, Ulises Ruiz and have faced arrests, attacks, and killings by paramilitary groups connected to the PRI government of Oaxaca. After the murders on October 27th (including that of New York journalist, Brad Will) federal police moved into Oaxaca and attacked the people’s encampment and the University. Oaxaca students, teachers, and APPO are resisting the police attacks, and on Monday, students and activists are demanding the removal of police forces, the removal of the illegitimate governor Ulises Ruiz, and the recognition of APPO’s (People’s Popular Assembly of Oaxaca) right to form their own direct democracy.
FOR MORE INFO ON THE SITUATION:
NYC Indymedia
Enlace Zapatista
Oaxaca Revolt
APPO
Indymedia Mexico
