——————-
Portland
10:00 – 11:30am: Mexican Consulate, 1234 SW Morrison St.,
Demand justice for his companeros charged with his murder!
—————
San Francisco
3pm: Mexican Consulate, 532 Folsom St
Call 917-991-2415 for more information
Friends of Brad Will will be gathering to remember Brad and the people of Oaxaca and to issue a statement of demands.

Drop False Charges, Release Political Prisoners
Since Brad’s death, Ulises Ruiz’ government has been attempting to
bring charges for Brad’s killing against Brad’s friends, APPO people,
witnesses, and those who risked their lives trying to get Brad to a
hospital. We join the National Commission on Human Rights, and
Reporters Without Borders in finding these attempts to be an absurd
and outrageous attempt to divert attention from the real killers. We
demand an end to this smokescreen and the punishment of innocent
people including Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno, Hugo Colmenares Leyva,
and Octavio Perez Perez.

No to Femicide
We join in solidarity with the friends and family of Marcella Sali
Grace Eiler, an international solidarity activist working with CIPO,
Colectivo Mujer Nueva and witnesses of Brad’s death, who was found
brutally raped and murdered September 25th in San Jose del Pacifico
in the state of Oaxaca. Her death is part of continued widespread violence
against women in Mexico, and a symptom of the failure of the Mexican
government to address it. As the Calderon government disregards human
rights and attempts to impose military control of everyday life, we
demand justice for all the victims of the femicide and an immediate
end to impunity for the rapes and murders of women throughout Mexico

No to Plan Mexico
A year almost to the day after Brad was murdered, the Bush
Administration announced the Merida Initiative (aka Plan Mexico),
providing at least $1.6 billion in US armament, training, and
resources to the same police and military forces that killed Brad and
many other activists and journalists in Mexico and Central America
under the pretense of stopping narco-trafficking. Already the weapons
have been used in massacres and repression of activists in Morelos and
Chiapas. Along with the AFL-CIO, the United Steelworkers, Tikkun,
Wespac, Witness for Peace, Cispes, and Jews for Racial and Economic
Justice, The Friends of Brad Will demand and end to the Merida
Initiative.

——————–

Detenga los Asesinos

Cuando se mataron a Brad, las personas que aparecen en las fotos, disparando pistolas contra las manifestantes, fueron la policía, los comandantes de la policía, y los operativos y las guardaespaldas del partido PRI, como Pedro Carmona, Able Santiago Zarate “El Chino,” Juan Carlo Soriano “El Chapulin,” Commander Manuel Aguilar Coello, y Juan Sumano. Son ellos quien tienen relaciones directos con el corrupto gobernador Ulises Ruiz. Exigimos su detención!

Retire los Cargos Falsos, Libere a los Prisioneros Políticos

Desde la muerte de Brad, el gobierno de Ulises Ruiz ha sido intentando traer cargas para el asesinato de Brad contra los amigos de Brad, la gente de la APPO, los testigos, y aquellos que se arriesgaron su vida tratando de llevarle a Brad al hospital. Unimos con la Comisión Nacional para Derechos Humanos y Periodistas Sin Fronteras en nuestro encuentro de que este intento es una manera absolutamente absurda e intolerable de desviar la atención lejos de los asesinatos verdaderos. Demandamos que se acabe con esta curtina de humo y el castigo de gente inocente como Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno, Hugo Colmenares Leyva, y Octavio Perez Perez.

Unimos en solidaridad con los amigos y la familia de Marcella Sali Grace Eiler, una activista de solidaridad international trabajando con CIPO, Colectivo de Mujer Nueva, y con los testigos de la muerte de Brad quien se descubrió violada brutalmente y asesinado el dia 26 de septiembre 2008 en San Jose del Pacífico en el estado de Oaxaca. Su muerte es una parte de la escalación de la violencia contra las mujeres en una época de acuerdos comericales y guerras de drogas. Demandamos que se acabe con el Tratado de Libre Comercio de Norteamérica (TLCAN), el Tratado de Libre Comercio de Centroamérica-República Dominicana-EEUU, y el Plan Puebla Panama (alias el Proyecto Mesoamérica), y los sistemas culturales y políticas que han permitido las violaciones y los asesinatos contra las mujeres.

No al Plan México

Casi un año al día después de que se mataron a Brad, la administración de Bush anunció la Iniciativa Merida alias Plan México, porporcionando por lo menos 1.6 billiones de dólares para el armamento de EEUU, la formación, y los recursos para la misma policía y fuerza militar que se mataron a Brad y otros activistas y periodistas en México y Centroamérica debajo de la pretensión de parar narco-traficantes. Las armas ya han sido usado en matanzas y represiones contra activistas en Morelos y Chiapas. Junto con el AFL-CIO, los Trabajadores Siderúrgico de los EEUU, Tikkun, Wespac, Testigos para Paz, Cispes, Judios para Justicia Económica y Racial, Los Amigos de Brad Will demandan que se acabe con la Iniciativa Merida.

Left and Right Unite to Oppose Mexico Foreign Policy Scheme

Amnesty International Joins Opposition to Bush’s Merida Initiative

Contact:
NYC: Robert Jereski, 212-973-1782
Washington, DC: Harry Bubbins, 646 641 5788

Opposition to the President’s ebbing “Merida Initiative” scheme to give $1.4 Billion in military aid to Mexico’s police and military implicated in widespread human rights violations grew with Amnesty International issuing a statement to Congress.

“Aid for Mexico must not be a blank check for Mexican security forces that have been implicated in crimes like rape and torture,” said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA). Amnesty International said that any initiative to support Mexico’s fight against drug cartels and organized crime must focus on the rule of law and should also press for justice in the unresolved killing of U.S. journalist Bradley Roland Will, and other civilians, in Oaxaca in 2006.

“We are encouraged by Amnesty International’s recognition of human rights abuses by Mexican forces,” said Robert Jereski of Friends of Brad Will. “But we hope for more from human rights organizations, especially when top labor unions reject this dangerous scheme outright.”

“Authorizing assistance for the security forces without requiring human rights violators to be punished and ensuring that basic freedoms are protected would further undermine the rule of law in Mexico,” said Renata Rendón, advocacy director for the Americas at AIUSA. “American taxpayers should not foot the bill for military and police forces with histories of abuse …”

“We do not believe “human rights safeguards” are adequate.” said Harry Bubbins, of Friends of Brad Will “Given the outstanding crimes by Mexico, including the murder of U.S. reporter Brad Will, we need to see actual progress on these cases. Military aid now would only reward impunity,” added Mr. Bubbins.

Even Republicans oppose aid

Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, said he opposed providing the assistance to Mexico. “These resources should go to our own law enforcement officers rather than Mexico’s,” Culberson said. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, opposes including the funds in the Iraq war supplemental. Senator Coryn believes additional funding requests should be reviewed on their merits through the normal appropriations process, a position advanced by Friends of Brad Will since 2007.

If Congress were to rubber stamp this scheme in the President’s waning days, U.S. foreign policy options would be severely curtailed for decades to come. The Merida Initiative would arm unaccountable, corrupt and brutal military and police; contribute to the erosion of civil liberties in one of our largest trading partners; increase violence and instability in Mexico; and waste U.S. taxpayer money to benefit a few connected military contractors, like Blackwater.

Friends of Brad Will is a nationwide network of activists, friends and family members of Brad Will, the U.S. journalist who was murdered by Mexican government paramilitaries in broad daylight in Oaxaca, Mexico in October 2006. Despite numerous eye witnesses and photographic/video evidence, no one has been held accountable. Friends of Brad Will has been educating, organizing, and pressuring the U.S. government to work on behalf of Brad Will and to reject the Merida Initiative. http://friendsofbradwill.org

More on the Merida Initiative here: http://americas.irc-online.org/am/5118
For more information, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org/mexico

Corrugated Films, in collaboration with Mal de Ojo TV, presents the NYC premiere of “A Little Bit of So Much Truth” (Un Poquito de Tanta Verdad).

When the people of Oaxaca decided they’d had enough of bad government, they didn’t take their story to the media… they TOOK the media.

NYC Screenings:

Nov. 1st
6:30 – 8:30 PM
St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery
131 E. 10th St @ 2nd Avenue
in Manhattan’s East Village
Free Admission
Filmmaker in Attendance

Nov 2nd
5:30-8:30
NYU Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East Room 714
Bring Photo ID to get into building
Free Admission
Sponsored by:
New York Collective of Radical Educators,
UFTers to Stop the War
Adjunct Project – CUNY Graduate Center
Filmmaker in Attendance

Nov 7th
6 PM
Cantor Film Center (36 E 8th St)
Free Admission
Filmmaker in Attendance

In the summer of 2006, a non-violent, popular uprising exploded in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. Some compared it to the Paris Commune, while others called it the first Latin American revolution of the 21st century.

But it was the people’s use of the media that truly made history in Oaxaca.

A Little Bit of So Much Truth captures the unprecedented phenomenon that emerged when tens of thousands of schoolteachers, housewives, farmers, health workers, and students took over 14 radio stations and one TV station, using them to organize, mobilize, and ultimately defend their grassroots struggle for social, cultural, and economic justice.

After spending two years in Oaxaca, producing Granito de Arena, Seattle filmmaker Jill Freidberg returned to Oaxaca in 2006, and joined forces with Oaxacan media collective Mal de Ojo TV, to tell the story of the people who put their lives on the line to give a voice to their struggle.

Narrated with audio and video recordings from the occupied media outlets, the film delivers a breath-taking, intimate account of a year that changed Mexico forever, and raises important questions about the role of the media in the 21st century.

More information at www.corrugate.org

To the international human rights organizations
To the independent media organizations
To social and political organizations
To our compañeros in ¨La Otra Campaña¨

The purpose of this communiqué is to alert the world about the Mexican Government’s brutal attack on the people of Oaxaca in an attempt to destroy the popular movement that is taking place. Only with your solidarity and monitoring have we been able to continue on this long journey of mobilization, and without a doubt, we will continue moving forward with the fraternity and love that all of you have shown us.
As you know, on October 27 2006, in an action planned to justify the intervention of the Mexican Army (dressed in grey) and to massacre the people of Oaxaca, the state governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz sent troops to simultaneously attack various locations where the resistgance was most visible. On October 27 at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon mercenaries following orders from the state government used high caliber weapons to attack the encampments located at the government offices in Santa María Coyotepec, the Judicial Police headquarters (PGJ) in ¨La Experimental¨ neighborhood, and the Calicanto barricade in Ferrocarril Avenue in Santa Lucía del Camino.
It was in the Calicanto barricade that Indymedia journalist Bradley Roland Will was filming the armed aggressions perpetrated against the people of Oaxaca. While filming on Juárez Street, Brad was hit by bullets fired by plained-clothed police at the service of the State Government. Without the presence of an ambulance to provide medical assistance, the protesters themselves gave Brad first aid help and transported him to the nearest location where he could receive medical treatment. Unfortunately Brad died on the way to this facility.
It is public knowledge that the policemen who were detained for this crime, and can be clearly identified through photographs and the video that Brad himself filmed minutes before his death, were liberated just weeks after being arrested because of a supposed lack of evidence, providing further proof of the factious nature of government institutions.
In spite of the evidence, the state and federal justice systems are trying to blame this assasination on those parcipating in the Oaxacan social movement, on the people who demand justice and punishment and the resignation of state governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz , a man intent on criminalizing the social protest by looking for someone to blame, a ¨scape-goat¨ to hide his ineffectiveness and inefficiency.
The government has used the politics of intimidation, persecution and harrassment against the people of Oaxaca. In this particular case the Federal Government has used the Federal Agency of Investigation (AFI) and the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) as means to fabricate charges against innocent people in order to protect the real assasins.
For the reasons stated above:
We demand that the Mexican Government begin, in a public and imparcial manner, a serious and just investigation with the guaranteed right to due process, and using the presumption of the accused being innocent until proven guilty.
We invite the PGR to begin the corresponding investigations needed in order to dismantle the paramilitary organizations by means of capturing, judging and sanctioning those who inspired, organized, commanded, collaborated, aided, and financed them. It is urgent that you bring about an end to these armed groups.
We are dedicated to fighting for true justice for Bradley Roland Will and for all of our compañeros assasinated during the conflict in Oaxaca and we will not stand for the common practice used by our state and federal governments of blaming innocent people.
We are calling on all types of civil, national, and international human rights organizations, media, artists, intellectuals and all people to demand justice for those assasinated and to be vigilant against any and all physical or psycological aggressions that may be suffered by our compañeros (or their families) after testifying on March 22 of this year at 9:00 am in front of the PGR, in the municipality of San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca.
Accompany and support the compañeros who will be giving their testimonies so that justice may be realized:
Gustavo Vilchis Ramirez (LIMEDDH)
Miguel Cruz Moreno (CIPO – RFM)
Gualberto Rco. Santiago Navarro (Colectivo Siembra y Cosecha)
Alberta Guadalupe Navarro
Leonardo Ortiz Cruz
Sincerely,
Members of ¨La Otra Campaña¨

Program of Activities

March 21, 2007
11:00 am. Meeting at the corner of calle Calicanto (street) and Avenida Ferrocarril (avenue) to retrace Brad´s route.
13:00 Press conference in the CIPO-RFM community center – 210 Emilio Carranza (street), Santa Lucia del Camino

March 22, 2007
9:00 am. Witnesses testify in front of the PGR about the death of Bradley Roland Will
9:00 am. Demanding an end to harrasment and repression and that the truth behind the assasinations of participants in the movement be revealed, a hunger strike will be staged in front of the PGR in Oaxaca to support those testifying in the case of Bradley Roland Will. The address of the PGR is 203 7ª privada de Aldama Sur (street), San Bartolo Coyotepec.
Please bring flowers and candles for this event
We ask that all of you who read this message act urgently and call on the federal and state governments at the following addresses and phone numbers to demand that security measures be put in place to protect the families of those who will be testifying, and furthermore that this investigation be conducted in a just and imparcial manner.
President FELIPE DE JESÚS CALDERÓN HINOJOSA
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos Casa Miguel Alemán
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, México DF
Tel: +52 (55) 27891100
Fax: +52 (55) 52772376
The email addresses do not appear in the directory; please send all communications by fax.
Lic. Francisco Javier Ramírez Acuña,
Secretary of State,
Bucareli 99, 1er. piso, Col. Juárez,
Delegación Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., C.P. 06600, México,
Fax: +52 (55) 5093 3414 o 50933400
The email addresses do not appear in the directory; please send all communications by fax
Lic. Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza,
Secretary General de la República
Av. Paseo de la Reforma #211-213 Col. Cuauhtémoc, Delegación Cuauhtémoc. México
D.F., C.P. 06500
To send an e-mail go to: http://www.pgr.gob.mx/index.asp
Dr. José Luis Soberanes Fernández
President de la CNDH
Periférico Sur 3469, Col.
San Jerónimo Lídice,
10200, México, D.F.
Tel: 631 00 40, 6 81 81 25
Fax: 56 81 84 90
Lada sin costo: 01 800 00 869
correo@fmdh.cndh.org.mx
Javier Dovala Medina
State Delegate (951)501-96-02
Séptima Privada de Aldama Sur 203 Col.San Bartolo Coyotepec
OAXACA DE JUAREZ, Oaxaca México
Lic. Ulises Ruíz Ortiz
Ex-governor of the State of Oaxaca
Fax: + 951 5020530, gobernador@oaxaca.gob.mx
Manuel Martínez Feria: Presidente Municipal.
Municipal President of Santa Lucia del Camino, Oaxaca.
(01 951) 51 7 50 40
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A los organismos internacionales de derechos humanos
A los medios independientes de comunicación
A las organizaciones sociales y políticas
A las y a los compañeros de la otra campaña

Nos dirigimos a ustedes para dar la voz de alerta ante la brutal embestida del Estado para aniquilar el movimiento popular del pueblo de Oaxaca. Solo con la observancia y la solidaridad de todos ustedes hemos podido seguir caminando en este ya largo proceso de movilización que nos ha tocado andar, pero que sin duda con la hermandad y el cariño que todos ustedes han demostrado con nuestro pueblo saldremos adelante.
Como ustedes saben el día 27 de octubre del 2006, en una acción planeada para justificar la intervención del ejército mexicano (disfrazados de gris) y masacrar al pueblo de Oaxaca, el gobernador del estado Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, mandó a atacar de manera simultánea en varios puntos donde la resistencia era más visible. Como a las tres y media de la tarde de ese mismo día, mercenarios al servicio de este gobierno atacan con armas de alto poder el plantón de la casa de gobierno que se ubica en Santa María Coyotepec; el plantón de la Procuraduría General de Justicia (PGJ) en La Experimental y la barricada de Calicanto ubicada en Avenida Ferrocarril del municipio de Santa Lucia del Camino.
Es en esta barricada donde se encontraba el camarógrafo de Medios Libres “Indymedia” Bradley Roland Will filmando de cerca las agresiones que con arma de fuego recibía de manera directa el pueblo de Oaxaca. Es sobre la calle Juárez donde Brad es impactado por disparos de armas de fuego por parte de los grupos parapoliciacos al servicio del gobierno del Estado. Ante la dilación de una ambulancia que pudiera darle el servicio médico, es auxiliado y trasladado por los propios manifestantes al punto de socorro más cercano; desgraciadamente Brad muere en el camino.
Como es de conocimiento público, los parapolicías que fueron detenidos por la responsabilidad en este asesinato, y que se identifican claramente en fotografías y en el video que el mismo Brad filmó minutos antes de su muerte, son liberados unas semanas después por el supuesto desvanecimiento de pruebas, lo que hace evidente la utilización facciosa de las instituciones.
No obstante lo anterior, el sistema de procuración de justicia nacional y estatal pretenden la imputación de dicho asesinato a quienes participan en el movimiento social oaxaqueño que demanda la justicia y castigo y la salida de Ulises Ruiz Ortiz de la gubernatura estatal, con lo que pretende criminalizar la protesta social buscando culpables como “chivos expiatorio” para que su ineficacia e inoperancia no queden al descubierto.
El gobierno a emprendido una política de intimidación, persecución, y hostigamiento al pueblo de Oaxaca, y en particular en este caso el Gobierno Federal a través de la Agencia Federal de Investigación (AFI) y de la PGR implementan la misma política de fabricación de delitos contra personas inocentes para proteger a los verdaderos asesinos.
Por todo ello:
Exigimos al gobierno de México para que se lleve a cabo una investigación seria y justa apegada a derecho con condiciones de imparcialidad y publicidad con el respeto pleno a las garantías al debido proceso, especialmente la presunción de inocencia.
Exhortamos a la Procuraduría General de la República a que realice las investigaciones que correspondan para desmantelar a los grupos parapoliciacos mediante la captura, juzgamiento y sanción de quienes los inspiran, organizan, comandan, integran, apoyan y financian, ya que en Oaxaca es urgente poner fin a dichos grupos armados.
Estamos decididos a luchar para que se haga justicia verdadera para Bradley Roland Will y todos los demás compañeros asesinados durante el conflicto en Oaxaca y a no permitir que se involucre a personas inocentes, como ya es una practica común para el gobierno estatal y federal.
Hacemos un llamado a los diferentes organismos civiles nacionales e internacionales de derechos humanos, medios de comunicación, artistas, intelectuales y a todas las personas, para estar atentos exigiendo el esclarecimiento de todos los asesinatos, así como cualquier agresión física y psicológica que puedan sufrir cualquiera de nuestros compañeros (y sus familiares) que van a testificar el día 22 de Marzo del año en curso a las 9:00 hrs. en las instalaciones de la PGR, municipio de San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oax.
Acompaña y apoya a los compañeros que darán su testimonio para que se nazca la justicia:
Gustavo Vilchis Ramírez (LIMEDDH)
Miguel Cruz Moreno (CIPO-RFM)
Gualberto Fco. Santiago Navarro (Colectivo Siembra y Cosecha)
Alberta Guadalupe Navarro
Leonardo Ortiz Cruz
Atte:
Adherentes a La Otra Campaña
Programa de actividades
21 de Marzo de 200
11:00 a.m. Inicio del recorrido en el Municipio de Santa Lucia, la cita es en la calle Calicanto y Avenida Ferrocarril
13:00 Conferencia de prensa, en la casa comunitaria de CIPO-RFM (Emilio Carranza no. 210, Santa Lucía del Camino).
22 de Marzo de 2007

9:00 a.m. Compañeros se presentaran a dar su testimonio ante la PGR sobre la muerte de Bradley Roland Will
9:00 a.m. Instalación del ayuno en la delegación de la PGR, en Oaxaca (7ª privada de Aldama Sur no. 203, Col. San Bartolo Coyotepec) para exigir el esclarecimiento de los asesinatos cometidos durante el movimiento, en apoyo a los testigos y cese al hostigamiento y represión.
Por favor traer para las actividades flores y velas.
Les pedimos a todos los que miren este mensaje puedan hacer acciones y llamados urgentes al gobierno federal y estatal en las siguientes direcciones, para exigir la seguridad de las familias de los compañeros que testifican y que la investigación se lleve apegada a derecho e imparcial.

Presidente FELIPE DE JESÚS CALDERÓN HINOJOSA
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos Casa Miguel Alemán
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, México DF
Tel: +52 (55) 27891100
Fax: +52 (55) 52772376
La dirección mail no aparece en los directorios, favor de mandar comunicación por fax

Licenciado Francisco Javier Ramírez Acuña,
Secretario de Gobernación,
Bucareli 99, 1er. piso, Col. Juárez,
Delegación Cuauhtémoc, México D.F., C.P. 06600, México,
Fax: +52 (55) 5093 3414 o 50933400
La dirección mail no aparece en los directorios, favor de mandar comunicación por fax

Lic. Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza,
Procurador General de la República
Av. Paseo de la Reforma #211-213 Col. Cuauhtémoc, Delegación Cuauhtémoc. México
D.F., C.P. 06500
Para enviar correos en línea: http://www.pgr.gob.mx/index.asp

Dr. José Luis Soberanes Fernández
Presidente de la CNDH
Periférico Sur 3469, Col.
San Jerónimo Lídice,
10200, México, D.F.
Tel: 631 00 40, 6 81 81 25
Fax: 56 81 84 90
Lada sin costo: 01 800 00 869
correo@fmdh.cndh.org.mx correo@cndh.gob.mx

JAVIER DOVALA MOLINA DELEGADO ESTATAL (951)501-96-02
Séptima Privada de Aldama Sur 203 Col.San Bartolo Coyotepec
OAXACA DE JUAREZ, Oaxaca México
LIC. ULISES RUIZ ORTÍZ
EXGOBERNADOR DEL ESTADO DE OAXACA
Fax: + 951 5020530, gobernador@oaxaca.gob.mx

Presidencia Municipal de Santa Lucia del Camino, Oaxaca.
Manuel Martínez Feria: Presidente Municipal.
(01 951) 51 7 50 40.

Family members, consisting of Brad’s parents and his brother and sister, will visit Mexico City and Oaxaca City. They will meet with human rights and other non-governmental organizations, Mexican officials, the United States Embassy, eyewitnesses, and the media. Press conferences will be held in each city.

Brad Will was shot and killed in Santa Lucia del Camino on October 27, 2006. Brad had been covering the then 4-month long conflict between the state government and a coalition of organizations and unions pulled together in the Oaxaca People’s Popular Assembly (APPO) to protest Governor Ulises Ruiz’s use of excessive force against the Section 22 of the National Union of Education Workers on June 14, 2006.

Beginning in August, armed para-police units linked to both local and state police forces began opening fire on protesters. By October 27, para-police units had killed at least 10 protesters. During this time federal and state prosecutors did not open investigations into these crimes. On October 27, members of the Santa Lucia del Camino police and local government officials were photographed shooting at APPO protesters where Brad was shot. The national press published these photographs. However, state and federal prosecutors have declined to investigate possible government involvement in Brad’s murder, instead pursuing a speculative theory that members of APPO murdered Brad.

Family members are traveling to Mexico to demand a new rigorous and impartial investigation of Brad’s murder. “The cycle of impunity related to crimes against journalists and human rights violations in Mexico must end,” said Craig Will, Brad’s older brother. “It is our hope that this upcoming visit will increase the spotlight on the inadequacies of the Mexican judicial system and
encourage responsible leadership on the part of the state and federal governments to pursue real justice.”

Media interested in attending either press event should contact the Will family’s coadyuvante, Miguel Angel de los Santos at mdelossantos@laneta.apc.org or 52-967-678-8440.

Family Contact:

www.bradwill.org

willcomm@aol.com

Media Events:

The Mexico City press conference will be held a media non-profit, CENCOS, at 10am on Friday, March 23:

Medellin 33, col. Roma
CP 06700, México, D.F., México
Tel: 55 33 64 75 / 76 Fax: 52 08 20 62 cencos@prodigy.net.mx

The Oaxaca City press conference will be held at a graphic arts non-profit, IAGO, on Thursday, March 22 at 2pm:

INSTITUTO DE ARTES GRÁFICAS DE OAXACA
Macedonio Alcalá 507, Centro, Oaxaca C. P. 68000

Tel. (9) 516 20 45 fax (9) 516 69 80

For a general meeting and potluck, to discuss NYC efforts to support the people’s struggle in Oaxaca, Mexico. This is the first of a monthly encuentro series, to be held at St Marks Church on the first Sunday of each month.

The family of Brad Will has issued the following statement:

“We understand that two of the group of five allegedly involved in Brad’s
murder have been arrested in Oaxaca. We applaud this action but also note
that the other three implicated directly in the crime remain at large. We
urge that efforts immediately be expanded to find and arrest all of those
involved in all recent killings there.

We call for the creation of an independent federal Mexican commission to
ensure a fair and just investigation and trial.

And we urge an inquiry into the extent to which higher-level officials in
the state government of Oaxaca have been involved in both Brad’s murder and
other human rights violations.

We also condemn and seek an immediate end to the illegitimate arrests and
ongoing harassment of the press corps in Oaxaca.

And we wholeheartedly agree with Reporters Without Borders’ call for Oaxaca
state governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz to be summoned before the new prosecutor’s
office dealing with attacks on press freedom.

Finally, we urge that the demonstrators maintain a distinctly peaceful and
non-violent approach to the expression of their demands in Oaxaca.”

An excerpt:

We are extremely alarmed to see that rather than cracking down on the violent paramilitaries who have been launching regular attacks on the people of Oaxaca, President Vicente Fox is using these murders as a pretext for escalating violence against the popular grassroots organization of the people of Oaxaca.

Please add your name to the list of signatories.