Demand Justice for Oaxaca

On April 27 2010 in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, a paramilitary group called UBISORT, with the help of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), openly murdered two human rights observers, Beatrice Cariño and Jyri Jaakkola. About 25 more people who were present at the time of the attack received injuries and have continued to receive death threats from UBISORT. These individuals were part of a support and solidarity caravan heading to the autonomous community of San Juan Copala, Oaxaca.

The Mexican government is refusing to investigate these murders and is continuing to escalate the suffering to the people in San Juan Copala. Currently, the government is cutting off electricity and water to the community, as well as refusing the entrance of food and teachers. The people of San Juan Copala are calling for international solidarity as they fear another paramilitary attack and continue to suffer injustice. This is part of an ongoing governmental campaign of fear and intimidation to the indigenous communities of Oaxaca as they work towards self-determination against the furthering of colonialism and white supremacy in their communities. Let the people of Oaxaca know you're watching!

Furthermore, we as U.S. citizens have the responsibility to hold our own government accountable for the increased militarization of Mexico, which has considerably increased in the past years. Since 2008, the U.S. government has used the "war against drugs and organized crime" to justify $1.6 BILLION in funding for the Merida Initiative (Weapons, Intelligence and Training). It should be crystal clear to us that U.S. foreign policies are financing the militarization of communities in Oaxaca.

Participate in a few ways:

1. **Call the Mexican Consulate** Monday 5/17 - Friday 5/21 651-771-5494 (*1 for english, then press 4 for protection/emergency department)

Join us in calling the Mexican Consulate to DEMAND the following:

-End the paramilitary attacks and harassment in the Triqui region and in particular against the autonomous municipality of San Juan Copala NOW.

-Identify and hold accountable the individual(s) responsible – both materially and intellectually – for the murders of Beatriz Cariño and Jyri Jaakkola and the injuries inflicted upon Mónica Citlali Santiago Ortiz, Noé Bautista Jiménez and others.

2. **Help us deliver a letter to the Mexican Consulate** Friday 5/21 at 12pm 797 E. 7th St. in St. Paul

(there is a carpool leaving from Walker Church at 3104 16th Ave S. Minneapolis at 11:30)

3. Stay informed and spread the word!

Injustice can continue when there is no outcry, no response, and only silence. Tell your friends, family and co-workers what's happening and

encourage them to take action.

For more info on the attacks read this call out from CASA Oaxaca http://www.casacollective.org/story/urgent-actions/urgent-call-raise-you...

Read the latest news from people in the autonomous community of San Juan Copala at: http://elenemigocomun.net/3621/x/en#more-3621

Read this POWERFUL letter that the family of Bety wrote: http://www.casacollective.org/story/news/letter-family-bety-carino-murde...