Oaxaca’s Social Rebellion Faces New Challenges as the Movement Enters a New Phase

By James Daria and Dul Santamaria
The Ricardo Flores Magòn Brigade Reporting for Narco News from Oaxaca

July 7, 2006

The spirit of unity that has been a hallmark of the teachers’ and popular movement in Oaxaca was put to test yesterday, June 6th, after a series of disagreements and misunderstandings fractured the spirit of festive resistance that has permeated the city.

While the teachers’ union was in a state-wide assembly (Asamblea Estatal Magisterial) the social organizations and common people who have sought their voice through the Popular Assembly of the Oaxacan People (or APPO) rallied in the city center to occupy the old Government Palace, which Governor Ulises Ruiz turned into a museum, in order to put into place a popular government that would fulfill the needs of the Oaxacan people. The intent failed however as the teacher assembly lasted too long and the lack of consultation with the social base led the organizers to disband the effort. The doors of the palace were never opened to the Popular Assembly (though some supporters did enter the building to carry out an “occupation”) and divisions began to permeate in the ranks as Enrique Rueda Pacheco, the union leader, declared that the teachers will return to classes the following Monday.

When Enrique Rueda Pacheco read the decision of the state assembly to the crowd in the zócalo (main city square) who had been waiting for the arrival of the teachers to open the Palace of Government, many people shared their disillusionment, shouting “sellout!” Rueda Pacheco however maintained the position that only those members of the teachers’ union who work directly with students will return to classes next Monday, leaving other unionized sectors in the zócalo to continue the struggle. Explaining that the union has a compromise with the people to replace hours lost so the students will be able to fulfill academic requirements so as to continue to the next grade, Rudea Pacheco reaffirmed the union’s commitment to the struggle. Class will be given until the twenty second of July and the teachers will return in full force to the plantón.

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