The Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO) is a fusion of the local striking teachers and other community organizations demanding democracy. One of their primary demands is the resignation of Ruiz, the governor of Oaxaca who

After taking office in a disputed election, Mr. Ruiz eliminated millions in community subsidies and began a series of public works projects that involved condemning land, often taking it from farmers at rock-bottom prices, protesters say. He also forbade marches and protests in the Zócalo, angering groups that routinely used protests to demand more government aid.

The APPO is under attack by the Mexican federal government. The military has closed all roads in and out of Oaxaca and has sent in water tanks to push back the protestors, 3,500 riot police, 3,000 military police with automatic rifles, and 5,000 army troops outside the city.

Today in the New York Times implied that the violence in Oaxaca has been committed by the APPO and implied that they were responsible for the murder of Brad Will on Friday.

Brad Will was shot by paramilitary Priistas in plain clothes while documenting the paramilitary attacks on the APPO which were ordered by Ruiz.

The deployment of federal forces should be understood as another attempt by the government to suppress those organizing for justice.
in response to Brad Will’s death the NY city Independent Media Center has issued this statement.

We, along with all of Brad’s friends, reject the use of further state-sponsored violence in Oaxaca.

The New York City Independent Media Center supports the demand of Reporters Without Borders for a full and complete investigation by Mexican authorities into Oaxaca State Governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz’s continued use of plain-clothed municipal police as a political paramilitary force. The arrest of his assailants is not enough.

The NYC IMC also supports the call of Zapatista Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos “to compañeros and compañeras in other countries to unite and to demand justice for this dead compañero.” Marcos issued this call “especially to all of the alternative media, and free media here in Mexico and in all the world.” (link to full statement)

- Ben Grimshaw