“¡Presos políticos libertad!”, “¡Hombro con hombro, codo con codo, la APPO, la APPO, la APPO somos todos!”, proclaimed signs held by activists in the first APPO march of the year (”Free political prisoners!”, “Shoulder by shoulder, side by side, the APPO, the APPO, the APPO we are everyone!”). The APPO claim that they are stronger than ever. Martínez Pinacho, of APPO, stated that APPO, “begins this year with renewed vigor and value because they have overcome their worst enemy: fear”, after the repression of last November. The marchers walked through the streets while police surrounded their route from Siete Regiones to Plaza de la Danza. Families of political prisoners were there to tell stories of abuse suffered by their loved ones.
In a meeting with the Secretary of the Government, Governor Ruiz requested the return of the PFP (Federal Preventive Police) to Oaxaca City. The PFP began to leave Oaxaca in December to respond to protests in Mexico City and to work on Operación Michoacán to fight narcotics and organized crime. I wonder what the situation will be like if the PFP returns. Worse? Better? Last time, when the took over the zocalo, some people were releaved, but soon the presence of the PFP posed its own set of problems and quite likely sparked conflict.
The APPO website lists a series of upcoming events. Today and tomorrow the popular council of APPO is meeting. On January 27th and 28th the Popular Association of the Pueblos of Mexico will meet. Two Megamarchas are scheduled for Febuary 3rd and 8th. On the 11th and 12th of Febuary the First State Assembly of APPO will meet.
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