BBC Summary of the Crisis in Oaxaca

Q&A: Crisis in Oaxaca

The Mexican state of Oaxaca has seen five months of protests against Governor Ulises Ruiz. Here we look at the background to the conflict which has claimed at least six lives.

What are the origins of the crisis?

On 1 May 2006, teachers in Oaxaca handed in a document listing their grievances and demands. They then went on strike, saying they had received no answer from the local authorities.
The crisis reached a new level on 14 June, when local police tried to remove the protesters who had, since 22 May been occupying the centre of the city. Some 750 police officers took part in the operation. Media reports at the time said at least four people had died in the clashes - a claim denied by the local authorities.

What do the teachers want?

They are demanding better pay, as well as a series of measures to help poorer pupils, including: breakfasts for schoolchildren, scholarships, uniforms, shoes, medical services and textbooks. The teachers are also demanding the resignation of the Oaxaca Governor, Ulises Ruiz.

Are other groups supporting the teachers?

Yes. The teachers' movement is backed by an umbrella group known as the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (Appo), formed on 17 June by 365 grassroots organisations including unions, indigenous and peasant groups and women's movements.
The protest movement has also received the backing of Zapatista rebel leader Subcomandante Marcos and former left-wing presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

What form has the Appo's protest taken?

The Appo describes its movement as one of "peaceful and civil resistance". The demonstrators have occupied a number of radio stations, public buildings and erected barricades in the areas they control.
The movement has held five mass protest marches. The last one attracted about 900,000 people, according to the organisers.

Why are they seeking the removal of the governor?

The Appo says the Mr Ruiz's resignation is a key condition for any negotiated solution to the conflict.
The teachers say he has not met their demands and blame him for the violence on 14 June. Protesters accuse him of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters.

How many people have been affected by the teachers' strike?

An estimated 1.3 million students - from 14,000 schools - have not been able to attend classes since May.
Last week, teachers voted to return to class, but their union said certain conditions needed to be met before that could happen.

What is the federal government doing about the crisis?

On Monday 30 October, senators unanimously approved a resolution calling on Mr Ruiz to "consider resigning from office to help restore law and order", a call that was rejected by the Oaxaca governor.
After resisting calls to send federal forces to Oaxaca, President Vicente Fox's finally did so on 28 October. Security forces retook the centre of the city at the weekend, but the violence has continued and the protesters have regrouped.

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WeT_AhUiZoTe Q&A

In general this summary fairly sketches the problem. Of course as a summary it leaves out some important information such as the fact that the problem did not started on May 2006, but long before. Teachers’ situation in Oaxaca is hard to describe. The main points are that they are among the ones receiving the lowest wages at national level, and they further have to deal with complicated geography and demanding working conditions as the state rural population is disperse and far away from urban areas. In addition, Oaxaca poverty level makes it even difficult for teachers to do their job. It is argued that they have to buy materials from they wage to compensate poor pupils’ conditions. Now well teachers go to strike every now and then, and it happens that in this occasion they receive police force action as the only response.
It is in this very moment that other social organisations, unions, and ordinary people decided to support the strike and all of them agreed that the only demand from then on was the governor resignation.

What the teaches want? As starting point the governor resignation, as teachers are only part of APPO

what form has the APPO's protest taken? peaceful, It is argued elsewhere that they are armed. That is possible, however they have made the POLITICAL DESICION of not to use firearms.

Why are they seeking the removal of the governor? He has demonstrated his unwillingess to even talk to neither teachers nor APPO. Besides Ulises has used police anti-riot against teachers in June, and paramilitar squads against APPO from June onwards.

How many people have been affected by the teachers strike? Unlike BBC, Mexican media and others, we believe that not only children are affected but teachers themselves (about 70,000) as they have received no payment since five months ago. In addition, ordinary have also been affected.

What's the federal government doing about the crisis? Mexican government is composed of three powers: the president, the lawmakers, and the supreme court.
The president sent federal police force to Oaxaca to 'restablish the rule of law', which has made matters worse as teachers in 12 stats are going on strike in support of Oaxaca's situation.
The lawmakers have asked Ulises to resign, even though it is their power to overthrone governor they have 'asked' him to resign by his own will.
The supreme court has done nothing.