June 2: International Day of Action in Solidarity with San Juan Copala

May 29, 2011
By Members of the La Otra Support Committee of the Caravan

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JUAN COPALA, OAXACA, MEXICO

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD

TO THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

TO THOSE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THIS JUST CAUSE

The Triqui people of the Autonomous Municipality of San Juan Copala in Oaxaca, Mexico, make a call-out for international solidarity to all the nations and peoples of the world, so that in the coming days solidarity actions are carried out as far and wide as possible, to exert pressure on the Mexican government and to shed light onto the situation that the people of Copala have endured since 2007. This situation has culminated in the events of the last days and in the Caravan of the Color of Blood, that is happening now, and whose intention is for the people of Copala, who were dispossessed and displaced because they exerted their right to autonomy, to return to their homes

The Autonomous Municipality of San Juan Copala declared its autonomy January 1st, 2007, after members of the community had participated in the Oaxacan uprising of 2006, and from that day onward the Mexican government has maintained a politic of disrespect and destruction of that autonomy. The Mexican government has carried out this process through two political-paramilitary organizations which it has armed and financed; the UBISORT-PRI and the MULT-PUP.

Since 2007 in this war against the autonomy of the Triqui people of San Juan Copala there has been a death-count of more than 30 people – among them young children, women, men, elders, traditional leaders, and solidarity activists. Furthermore this war has made children orphans and women widows and survivors of sexual assault.

Action Alert for Justice for Bety and Jyri

En español aquí.

TO INDIGENOUS AND PEASANT ORGANIZATIONS
TO WOMEN’S AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS
TO ANTI-MINING AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY NETWORKS
TO THE MEDIA

On April 27, near San Juan Copala, Oaxaca, a humanitarian observation mission was attacked by the paramilitary group UBISORT, during which Alberta Cariño Trujillo and Jyri Jaakkola were assassinated.

The initial investigation was carried out by the Oaxacan State Attorney General’s Office, however, given the evident relationship which exists between the state government and the paramilitary group, it was demanded that the case be taken up by the Federal Attorney General’s Office (PGR), which joined the preliminary investigation.  Six months have passed since the crime occurred and the PGR submitted the results of its investigation to a judge, but given the investigation’s deficiencies it was sent back and up to now there does not exist any interest on the part of the PGR to ensure that this double murder does not remain in impunity.

During this time, numerous national and international organizations, as well as dignitaries and parliamentarians have demanded that the PGR carry out an adequate investigation and obtain justice, however, this institution has not shown any genuine interest in investigating this crime and even less in punishing those materially and intellectually responsible for it.

Uphold Human Rights, Halt Drug War Aid to Mexican Security Forces

En español aquí.

Below is a sign-on letter to oppose additional U.S. funds to the Merida Initiative for the disastrous drug war. We have already received an incredible response from all over the Hemisphere. We believe this is a critical juncture, as homicides and human rights violations increase in Mexico and citizens in both countries reject militarization as a strategy to weaken organized crime. This week is the fourth anniversary of the murder of journalist Brad Will, a classic case of impunity in Mexico. We urge you to join us and the hundreds of organizations and individuals listed below in signing this statement. The movement against the drug war enforcement/interdiction approach is getting stronger in light of the history of failure and enormous cost in lives and resources that it entails. It is unconscionable that the US government continues to support it. This is the time to make our voices heard.

Organization sign-ons: mail to stopmeridainitiative@gmail.com

Individual sign-ons at this link:http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/703/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5074

Human Rights, Labor, and Religious Groups Call on Obama Administration and Congress to Uphold Human Rights, Halt Drug War Aid to Mexican Security Forces

Despite nearly 30,000 drug-related homicides, a huge increase in human rights violations by the armed forces and growing citizen opposition to the bloody “war on drugs”, the U.S. Congress is once again considering the allocation of U.S. public funds to Mexico to support the failed counter-narcotics policy. President Barack Obama’s proposed Fiscal Year 2011 budget contains $410 million for the Merida Initiative, a security aid package for Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic.  Of that total, $310 million are allocated for Mexico. We question the Administration’s decision to extend indefinitely and unconditionally Bush’s three-year Merida Initiative in light of the violence and ineffectiveness of the strategy, and mounting calls for a new approach from citizens’ groups on both sides of the border.

Existing U.S. aid to Mexico under the Merida Initiative, amounting to more than $1.3 billion, does not include necessary safeguards to ensure that it does not contribute to systematic human rights violations. Only fifteen percent of the funding may be withheld pending a State Department report on Mexico’s progress toward meeting the human rights conditions of the bill.  Furthermore, the Merida Initiative (also called “Plan Mexico”) includes no benchmarks for effective evaluation.

The Merida Initiative supports a reckless strategy that has led to massive bloodshed in Mexico and failed to achieve goals to reduce illicit drug flows, assure public safety or significantly weaken cartels. With 45,000 troops in the streets as the core feature of this militarization strategy, the Mexican armed forces have been implicated in murders, rapes and violations of human rights—the vast majority of which have never been prosecuted.

We are concerned that the State Department has ignored human rights abuses stemming from the Merida Initiative aid and continued impunity and corruption within Mexico, in favor of supporting a militarized approach in the “war on drugs” that has verifiably increased those abuses. The so-called human rights conditions included in the Merida Initiative provide no guarantee whatsoever of progress, and have merely served as lip service to serious concerns while permitting support of the overall strategy. There are no indications of a sustained reduction in the availability of illegal narcotics on the U.S. market that can even be used to justify the heightened violence caused by this strategy.

In particular, we would like to call attention to the case around the murder of U.S. citizen Bradley Roland Will as exemplary of the non-cooperation and impunity with which security forces, the government and the judicial system in Mexico have addressed abuses of human rights by the state. Will, an independent journalist, was shot to death in Oaxaca, Mexico on October 27, 2006, while documenting a series of protest demonstrations. Will was one of at least 26 people allegedly killed by government forces and hired thugs during statewide protests against corruption and impunity. The state has failed to successfully prosecute a single case in the assassinations. Since the drug war was launched in late 2006 Mexico has become a world leader in murders of journalists.

The initial release of Merida Initiative aid was accompanied by a U.S. State Department call for a “thorough, credible and transparent investigation” into Will’s killing. Evidence identifies police and local officials as the assassins in the Will case. However, the Mexican Attorney General’s wrongly imprisoned a protester for the murder. After Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights, the Mexican National Human Rights Commission and the Will family disputed the Attorney General’s claims, the protestor was freed due to lack of evidence and no one has been prosecuted for his murder or the murder of 25 Oaxacans killed in 2006. The U.S. State Department remained silent regarding the false charges and has since done nothing to ensure that Will’s actual killer(s) face justice.

Documentation exists of killings, torture, beatings and gender-based violence committed by security forces, including the cases of Atenco, Ciudad Juarez and repression of labor unions. The U.S. provision of lethal aid and training to these same security forces violates our principles as a nation, tarnishes our reputation and implicates the U.S. government in serious and widespread human rights abuses. The Obama Administration is surely aware of the fact that the purported goal of the Merida Initiative to help establish good governance in Mexico cannot be attained in a climate of impunity for human rights violations and a destabilizing drug war.

The U.S. government has the responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used in the violation of human rights.  Instead of providing training and funding to the military, police and civil institutions that have allowed and facilitated impunity in the Will case and other cases of abuse against Mexicans, the U.S. government should focus on attacking the causes and structures of organized crime within the United States—drug addiction and the demand for black-market drugs, international financial transactions and transborder corruption, arms trafficking–and aid Mexico in eliminating the roots causes of the spread of crime such as poverty, inequality, unemployment and the lack of opportunities for youth.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Immediately review and re-orient the failed “drug war” strategy for Mexico.

• Suspend military and security aid pending an urgent public review of current and alternative strategy as well as the resolution of the Will case and other human rights cases.

• Establish clear objectives and benchmarks for U.S. taxpayer funded for counternarcotics programs to gauge the success (or failure) of these programs.

• Give priority funding to alternative responses to illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, including treatment for addicts; harm reduction and community abuse prevention programs as well as selective decriminalization to reduce the profiteering of criminal gangs, banks, and corrupt politicians from illegal narcotics.

• Step-up financial crimes operations to identify and prosecute those in banks and other economic structures who enable the estimated $30 billion-dollar a year narcotrafficking industry to operate and launder money.

• Publicly denounce and actively push to end impunity in cases of murder, torture, rape and beatings including those in Oaxaca, Atenco, Ciudad Juarez, and civilian deaths at the hands of the armed forces, as well as the use of the army to violently repress labor rights.

CIP Americas Program

Global Exchange

Friends of Brad Will

Kathy and Hardy Will

School of the Americas Watch

Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña “Tlachinollan”

Witness for Peace

General José Francisco Gallardo, “Defensoría de Derechos Humanos General Gallardo,” por la Dignidad Ciudadana y del Soldado A.C.
Tom Hayden and The Peace and Justice Resource Center

Reporters Without Borders

Guatemala Human Rights Commission

WESPAC Foundation

Kathleen A. Staudt, Professor, Political Science, UTEP

John Ross, journalist

Otros Mundos AC/Amigos de la Tierra México

Convergencia de Movimientos de los Pueblos de las Américas (COMPA).

Movimiento Mexicano de Afectados por la Minería (REMA)

Southwest Workers’ Union (SWU)

Observatorio Latinoamericano de Geopolítica

Movimiento por la Paz, la Soberanía y la Solidaridad entre los Pueblos (Mopassol) de Argentina

Red Mexicana de Acción frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC)

CoecoCeiba/Amigos de la Tierra Costa Rica

Amigos de la Tierra América Latina y el Caribe (atlac)

Coordinación Nacional Agraria (CNA)/Colombia

Coalición de Tendencias Clacistas/Venezuela

Alianza Mexicana por la Autodeterminación de los Pueblos (AMAP).

Unión de Comunicades Indígenas de la Zona Norte del Istmo (UCIZONI)/México

Campaña por la Desmilitarización de las Américas (CADA)

SERAPAZ

Cindy Sheehan, Peace and Justice Activist, USA

Al Rojas and Frente de Mexicanos en El Exterior

Just Foreign Policy

Sirena Pellarolo, California State University Northridge, Eastside Café

Eduardo Galeano

H.I.J.O.S. México

Comité Cerezo México

Ma. Lourdes González (mamá de Pável Gonzalez) Comite Pavel Gonzalez

Red Solidaria Década contra la Impunidad

Contraimpunidad, Uruguay

CASA Collective

MUJERES SIN MIEDO, Mexico

Gruppe B.A.S.T.A., Münster, Alemania

Noam Chomsky, Professor, MIT

EDUCA/Oaxaca

Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras

Consejo de Investigaciones e Información en Desarrollo CIID-Guatemala

Rede Social de Justiça e Direitos Humanos-Brasil

Servicio Paz y Justicia en América Latina (SERPAJ -AL)

Jubileo Sur Mexico

Marea Creciente-México

El Movimiento Popular Oscar Arnulfo Romero

Associção de Favelas de São José dos Campos

Organización Fraternal Negra Hondureña

PAPDA-Haiti

Código Sur

Common Frontiers-Canada

NYC Event: Mon., Oct. 25 – Mixer and Film Fundraiser for Mexico’s Other Campaign

Monday, October 25 from 6-10p
The Commons Brooklyn
(near a dozen different trains!)

MIXER & FILM FUNDRAISER for MEXICO’S OTHER CAMPAIGN

beginning with FOOD, SANGRIA, MUSIC and MORE

around 7p we’ll screen
The blockbuster drama/comedy/monster-movie with smart political commentary and Korea’s highest grossing film ever…THE HOST!

Come start the week off right with a little pre-Halloween soiree

Join us at The Commons Brooklyn
388 Atlantic Avenue
between Hoyt and Bond St
A,C,G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn
F to Bergen
2,3,4,5 to Nevins
D,N,R to Pacific-Atlantic

$5 door, food and drink by donation

On Facebook here.

PLEASE RSVP to zapagringo@gmail.com (you don’t need to RSVP to attend)

More Info on the Film and the Other Campaign:

* The Host

“The Host is a loopy, feverishly imaginative genre hybrid about the demons that haunt us from without and within.” -Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

Come enjoy “one of the 100 Best Films of World Cinema” (Empire Magazine) before the sequel comes out next year and Hollywood puts out its own shitty remake!

* The Other Campaign

Initiated five years ago by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, the Other Campaign is a transnational movement to liberate Mexico “from below and to the left” with adherents ranging from the Zapatista communities of Chiapas all the way up to the immigrant families of Movement for Justice in El Barrio, and beyond.

This is a fundraiser to support the National Encuentro of the Other Campaign being co-convened by Movement for Justice in El Barrio and the People’s Front in Defense of the Land who will be hosting the gathering in their community of Atenco, just outside of Mexico City, on November 13 and 14. For more details check out the call here.

NYC Event: The Struggle for Autonomy in Oaxaca: State Repression Against San Juan Copala

Wednesday, October 6, 7PM
Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington, Manhattan
Free, donations accepted and appreciated

Three years ago, the indigenous municipality of San Juan Copala, in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, declared itself autonomous from the government. Since that time they have faced severe repression, with community members being kidnapped, raped and assassinated by two state-backed paramilitary groups in an attempt to destroy the autonomous project. Join Friends of Brad Will along with guests from Movement for Justice in El Barrio, to learn more about San Juan Copala, including a short documentary and video-message from residents of the autonomous municipality.

Friends of Brad Will is a national network working for justice for Brad Will, an independent journalist murdered by state paramilitaries in Oaxaca in 2006, and to fighting U.S. military aid to Latin America. Movement for Justice in El Barrio is an East Harlem-based organization of immigrants and low-income people of color fighting gentrification in Manhattan and a member of the Other Campaign.

For more information contact Scott Campbell from Friends of Brad Will at soupshow@hotmail.com or 510-295-8843

Action Alert: Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno’s house raided

Oaxaca, September 24, 2010

Urgent Action

Fear for the physical and psychological well-being of Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno and his family, freed last February after being imprisoned for 14 months accused of the murder of Brad Will.

Today, at approximately 10:30am, Mr. Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno left his home, together with his wife, in the municipality of Santa Cruz Xoxocotlan. At 2:30pm, they returned to their house and noticed that the door was open, and upon entering saw that all their belongings were out of place and that the lock on the door had been broken.

After briefly looking over everything, they noticed that no items of value were missing, ruling out that what happened was a robbery. They also saw that their important documents had been gone through, as well as their personal photographs. While they are unsure if any of their personal documents or photos have been taken, they are awaiting the arrival of the expert’s report from the Federal Attorney General’s Office (PGR), which will be added to case file PGR 723/2009, previously opened as a result of earlier threats and harassment.

Minutes after arriving at their home, they called the Federal Preventive Police (PFP), speaking with Guillermo Romero. The police arrived at 4:35pm to inspect the site. These actions are part of the preventive measures adopted by the Mexican state as a result of the petition for protective measures, number MC-92-10, which is currently pending before the Interamerican Human Rights Commission (CIDH), in response to the various aggressions that Mr. Martínez Moreno and his family have been subjected to.

We call to your attention that once free, Juan Manuel Martínez and his family have been subjected to various acts of intimidation that have caused them to change their residence three times since leaving jail (February 2010). These acts have been reported to the PGR and have brought about the appeal for protective measures.

As a result of these events, Mr. Martínez Moreno is very concerned, as this can be considered yet another act of harassment against him.

As a result of these events, the November 25 Liberation Committee,

1. Demands an investigation into these acts of aggression, threats and intimidation against Mr. JUAN MANUEL MARTÍNEZ MORENO, as well as an end to the acts of intimidation to which he and his family have been subjected.

2. We demand the Mexican state guarantee the security and physical and psychological well-being of Mr. Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno and his family.

3. We ask for the solidarity of the international community to demand that the Mexican state take effective and efficient actions that guarantee the security of activists and human rights defenders.

Sincerely,
November 25 Liberation Committee
Oaxaca, September 24, 20101

We ask that you send your urgent actions to:

LIC. FELIPE CALDERON HINOJOSA
PRESIDENTE CONSTITUCIONAL DE MÉXICO
FAX (55) 52 77 23 76
felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx

LIC. FRANCISCO BLAKE MORA
SECRETARIO DE GOBERNACIÓN
FAX (55) 50933414 MAIL: secretario@segob.gob.mx

LIC. ARTURO CHAVEZ CHAVEZ
PROCURADOR GENERAL DE LA REPÚBLICA
TEL. (55) 53 46 09 08 MAIL: ofproc@pgr.gob.mx.

LIC. RAUL PLASCENCIA VILLANUEVA
PDTE. DE LA COMISIÓN NACIONAL DE DERECHOS HUMANOS
FAX (55) 56 81 71 99, correo@cndh.gob.mx

copy the Comité de Liberación 25 de Noviembre: comite25noviembre@yahoo.com.mx

EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION IN SOLIDARITY WITH OAXACA

Friday, April 30
1 PM
Mexican Consulate
27 East 39th Street (btwn Madison and Park Aves.), NYC

LIVE PRESENTATION OF THE DISAPPEARED
JUSTICE FOR MURDERED COMRADES BETY CARIÑO AND JYRI JAAKKOLA
END THE ATTACKS AND SIEGE ON THE AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JUAN COPALA

On Tuesday, April 27, an solidarity caravan made up of Oaxacan civil society organizations and international solidarity activists was ambushed by state-backed paramilitaries. They were bringing much-needed supplies and attempting to break the siege of San Juan Copala, an autonomous Triqui community encircled and accosted by the same paramilitaries. Around 15 armed men from the paramilitary organization UBISORT ambushed the convoy, killing Bety Cariño, director of the Center of Community Support Working Together (CACTUS), and Jyri Jaakkola, an international solidarity observer from Finland.

Two reporters accompanying the caravan, Érika Ramírez and David Cilia, remain disappeared. Just before the ambush, two Triqui women from San Juan Copala were disappeared by UBISORT.  At the scene, several surviving caravan members received death threats from UBISORT.

Join us in standing in solidarity with the autonomous project of San Juan Copala, to demand justice for Bety Cariño and Jyri Jaakkola, and that the disappeared are returned alive, immediately.

For more information see El Enemigo Común: http://elenemigocomun.net.

Called for by Friends of Brad Will. For more information, contact Scott Campbell, soupshow@hotmail.com.

¡URGENT! Paramilitaries Attack in Oaxaca, Your calls are needed!

Paramilitaries Attack Caravan Headed to Oaxacan Autonomous Town, 15 Wounded, 1 Disappeared

*Phone Calls to Governor Urged So That He Orders State Police to Rescue the Wounded*

by Kristin Bricker

A solidarity caravan headed to the autonomous municipality of San Juan Copala, Oaxaca, was attacked as it passed through La Sabana, a town controlled by UBISORT, a paramilitary organization that is allied with the ruling Institutional Revolution Party. One young woman managed to make it to a hospital where she is being treated. She reports that there are 15 wounded people. Alberta Cariño, the director of the community radio organization CACTUS, is reported as disappeared. No one saw what happened to her, but she is among neither the wounded nor the uninjured.

The Puebla-based human rights organization Nodo de Derechos Humanos reports that the Oaxacan State Police who are in the area refuse to rescue the wounded “because they don’t have orders to do so from the State.”

San Juan Copala declared itself autonomous following the 2006 uprising in Oaxaca, and the autonomous government declared itself adherent to the Zapatistas’ Other Campaign. The autonomous municipality has been the target of paramilitary violence ever since. Countless San Juan Copala residents have fallen victim to paramilitary violence. The most prominent case was the
execution of two young Triqui radio journalists.

This past November, paramilitaries opened fire on San Juan Copala’s town hall during a caravan that was traveling to San Juan Copala from San Salvador Atenco. UBISORT had put up a highway blockade to stop the caravan, which was comprised of People’s Front in Defense of the Land (FPDT) members. While the FPDT was trapped outside the town, paramilitaries attacked the town hall. They shot four children, killing one of them.

The official action alert from the Nodo de Derechos Humanos is reposted below. They request that people call Gov. Ulises Ruiz Ortiz to demand that he orders the State Police to rescue the wounded. Here’s a quick line in Spanish: “Que manden la policia estatal a rescatar los heridos en San Juan Copala.” It means, “They need to send the state police to rescue the wounded in San Juan Copala.”

****

*URGENT:* The solidarity caravan that was en route to the Autonomous Municipality San Juan Copala in the Triqui region, which was made up of international observers, members of CACTUS, VOCAL, Section 22 of the teachers union, the the APPO, was attacked with firearms in the La Sabana community, which is controled by the organization Unidad de Bienestar Social de la Region Triqui (UBISORT). This organization is impeding the rescue of the wounded. Reports indicate that there are at least 15 wounded, it is unknown if there are any deaths. It is reported that Alberta Cariño, director of CACTUS, is disappeared. We fear that this action constitutes a provocation that could be used to justify the militarization of the Triqui region.

*Requested Action*

Call the Government of Oaxaca and demand that the necessary conditions be established so that the State Police and rescue teams can rescue them and provide them with medical attention.

Governor of Oaxaca

*Ulises Ruiz Ortiz*

Tel. +52 951 5015000 ext. 13005

Fax. +52 951 5015000 ext. 13018

–
Kristin Bricker

Freelance journalist / periodista freelance
http://mywordismyweapon.blogspot.com

April 23: Mexico and the U.S.: Social movements, neoliberalism and state violence

Friday, April 23
6:30 PM
Sixth Street Community Center
638 East 6th Street, between Aves. B and C, NYC
Free – donations gratefully accepted

Join Friends of Brad Will for a public talk, discussion, video screening and photo exhibit with:

John Ross, Mexico City-based author, poet and rebel journalist. John will discuss the manipulation of the case of Brad Will in U.S.- Mexico relations, the broader attacks against journalists in Mexico, and the lethal U.S. ‘drug war’ aid package to Mexico known as Plan Mexico.

Mark Read, from Friends of Brad Will. Mark will discuss his March trip to Oaxaca, where he met with Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno, the Oaxacan activist falsely charged for the murder of Brad Will, and will screen footage of his interview with him.

Hinrich Schultze, Hamburg, Germany-based photographer with the Ya Basta Zapatista Solidarity Network and Cafe Libertad. Hinrich was with Brad in Oaxaca in 2006 and will be displaying photos of the 2006 protests and street art. The photo exhibit will be opening Tuesday, April 20 at 8pm and run through Friday evening of April 23.

Brad Will was an Indymedia journalist killed by government paramilitaries in the Mexican state of Oaxaca in 2006, while documenting a teachers’ strike and popular uprising against corruption and impunity and for democratic change.

For more information contact Scott Campbell: soupshow@hotmail.com.

Note:  At the exhibit opening on Tuesday, April 20, people can join the Sixth Street Community Center for dinner at Organic Soul Café which serves from 6:30pm – 9:30pm. Veggie dinners are $11 and with wild Alaskan salmon option $15.

Action Alert: Why did former RCMP officers file flawed report about Brad Will’s murder?

Thanks to Rights Action for spreading the word on this.

FORMER RCMP OFFICERS PREPARE MISLEADING REPORT CONCERNING KILLING OF AMERICAN JOURNALIST, BRAD WILL, IN OAXACA, MEXICO

MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: www.friendsofbradwill.org; Scott Campbell: soupshow@hotmail.com

* * *

On October 27, 2006, Brad Will, an independent journalist from the U.S., was shot and killed while documenting a protest in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Since June of 2006, there had been a massive popular mobilization in Oaxaca, calling for democratic change and rallying against corruption, impunity and poverty in a state long dominated by the PRI (Institutional Party of the Revolution) headed by the regime of Ulises Ruiz.

In response to the people’s pro-democracy movement, the state and federal governments unleashed a wave of repression against the movement, killing at least 26 people and violating the human rights of hundreds of others.  Brad Will was one of those 26 killed.

One year later, in 2007, the Bush Administration announced a three-year international agreement known as the Mérida Initiative, authorizing the disbursement of $1.4 billion to Mexico, Central American countries and the Dominican Republic, with the vast majority of funds going to Mexico.  A major focus of the Merida Initiative was to be the so-called “war on drugs”.

Original release of the funds was accompanied by a U.S. State Department call for a “thorough, credible and transparent investigation” into Brad Will’s murder.  While those who shot him have been clearly identified by eyewitnesses as police and local PRI party officials, the Mexican Attorney General’s Office (PGR) charged pro-democracy protester Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno for Brad’s murder in 2008.  Human rights groups such as Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee to Protect Journalists, as well as the Mexican government’s own National Human Rights Commission and the Will family, vigorously disputed the Attorney General’s claims.

To bolster their fallacious claims, the PGR requested assistance from the Canadian Embassy in Mexico. In response, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recommended three individuals, including two former RCMP officers, to carry out an “independent” investigation.

The Canadians’ report, released in July of 2009, supported the fallacious claims of the PGR that Will was shot at close range by a protester.  Physicians for Human Rights, Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission and the Will family dismissed the report, pointing to the well documented facts that ballistic, sound, and photographic evidence point to a shot fired from a distance and from the direction from which police and local PRI party officials were firing at the protesters.

As well, the Canadian investigators, former RCMP officers recommended by the Canadian embassy, did not speak or read Spanish, so they had to rely on the PGR for translation and access to information; they did not reconstruct the murder scene or conduct witness interviews; their report displayed significant bias against Brad Will and the protesters; and it was riddled with inaccuracies.

After 16 months in prison, under false charges of murdering Brad Will, Juan Manuel Martínez was released on February 18, 2010, due to lack of evidence.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO CONTACT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND PRESS IT TO EXPLAIN:

1. The process by which they recommended former RCMP officers who assisted the Mexican government in attempting to cover-up of the murder of a journalist and if, as news reports state, the PGR “turned to Canada…to bolster their case,” if the Canadian embassy in Mexico recommended individuals knowing they would support the PGR version? [1]

2. Why the Canadian government has not publicly condemned the manipulated report, done by former RCMP officers, on the murder of U.S. journalist Brad Will?

3. What is the Canadian government’s policy regarding the use by retired RCMP officers of their former RCMP affiliations in authoring reports at the request of a foreign government?

4. Will the Canadian government make public the information provided by the Canadian Embassy to the Mexican government regarding the investigators it proposed?

USING THE ABOVE TALKING POINTS, PLEASE SEND EMAILS TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: enqserv@international.gc.ca, bcm@international.gc.ca

Canadian Embassy in Mexico: mxico@international.gc.ca

Royal Canadian Mounted Police: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cont/comment-eng.htm

* * *
[1] http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:2U4-kJik-kwJ:www.canada.com/business/Victim%2Bfamily%2Bquestions%2BRCMP%2Bpart%2BMexican%2Bmurder%2Bprobe/2072833/story.html

FOR MORE INFORMATION: or to get involved in the case of Brad Will and the social movement in Oaxaca,
visit: www.friendsofbradwill.org;
join the Friends of Brad Will listserv: http://lists.interactivist.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/justiceforbrad;
contact Scott Campbell: soupshow@hotmail.com.

* * *
www.rightsaction.org / info@rightsaction.org

Action Alert for Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno

Friends of Brad Will Action Alert

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Please read, take action, and spread the word!

As you may know, on February 18, 2010, Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno – the Oaxacan social activist falsely accused of the 2006 murder of Indymedia reporter Brad Will – was released after 16 months in prison.  This is an important victory, but Martínez Moreno, his family, and other activists remain at risk.

Since his release, Martínez Moreno and his family have been subjected to constant harassment.  They have received death threats and the government-linked paramilitaries which eyewitnesses and photographic evidence tie to the murder of Brad Will have frequently been seen standing outside the Martínez Moreno home.

For fear of being killed or rearrested, Martínez Moreno has gone into hiding.  There is also fear that the Attorney General may attempt to scapegoat other members of the social movement for Will’s murder.

Please join us in demanding the harassment and threats against Martínez Moreno and his family cease and that those truly responsible for the murder of Brad Will be brought to justice.

Please send the below sample letter in Spanish – or your own – to the email addresses provided.

Estimado ___,

Le escribo hoy para exigir que cede el acoso y las amenazas contra Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno y su familia de forma inmediata. Desde que Martínez Moreno fue liberado de la carcel, donde fue detenido sin prueba ninguna por el asesinato del periodista estadounidense, Brad Will, él y su familia han recibido amenazas y otras formas de acoso constante. Han recibido amenazas de muerte y los funcionarios locales que fueron grabados en 2006 disparando contra Brad Will se han visto en frente de la casa de la familia Martínez Moreno en varias ocasiones.

Exigimos que tomen las medidas necesarias para asegurar el bienestar y seguridad de Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno y su familia, ya que su seguridad es responsabilidad del gobierno estatal de Oaxaca tanto como el gobierno federal; cualquier ataque que ocurra contra ellos se verá como falla del gobierno mexicano, por no haber actuado.

Exigimos que los verdaderos asesinos de Brad Will – y de los 25 oaxaqueños asesinados por los paramilitares vinculados al estado en 2006 – se lleven a la justicia. Una investigación sobre las acciones de la policía municipal y los miembros del PRI, Santiago Zárate, Orlando Manuel Aguilar Coello, Pedro Carmona, Juan Carlos Soriano, y Juan Sumano, quienes se ven disparando contra Brad Will en fotografías, debe empezar de una vez. No aceptamos que se eche la culpa de las crímenes del gobierno a activistas de la APPO.

Atentamente,

English translation – Please send the Spanish version

I am writing to demand that the harassment and threats against Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno and his family cease immediately.  Since Martínez Moreno was released from prison where he was falsely accused of the murder of U.S. journalist Brad Will, he and his family have faced constant harassment. They have received death threats and the local government officials filmed in 2006 firing at Brad Will have been standing in front of their home.

We demand you take all action necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno and his family.  Should anything happen to them, we will hold the state government of Oaxaca and the federal government fully responsible, as they are either complicit in the harassment or capable of stopping it and instead are doing nothing.

We also demand that the true killers of Brad Will – and the 25 Oaxacans killed by government-backed paramilitaries in 2006 – be brought to justice. An investigation should begin immediately into the actions of municipal police and PRI members Santiago Zárate, Orlando Manuel Aguilar Coello, Pedro Carmona, Juan Carlos Soriano and Juan Sumano, who were documented firing at Brad Will.  It is imperative justice is served.  We will not accept the scapegoating of APPO activists for the government’s crimes.

Sincerely,

Send to:

Fernando Francisco Gómez-Mont Urueta
Minister of the Interior
secretario@segob.gob.mx

Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana
Ambassador of Mexico to the United States
mexembusa@sre.gov.mx

Ulises Ruiz Ortiz
Governor of Oaxaca
gobernador@oaxaca.gob.mx

Felipe Calderón
President of Mexico
felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx

Evencio Nicolás Martínez Ramírez,
Oaxaca State Attorney General
buzonciudadano@pgj.net

RAUL PLASCENCIA VILLANUEVA
President of the National Human Rights Commission

correo@cndh.gob.mx

LIC. EDUARDO MEDINA-MORA ICAZA
Federal Attorney General

ofproc@pgr.gob.mx

MAG. LIC. HECTOR ANUAR MAFUD MAFUD
President of the Superior State Court
oaxtsj@infosel.net.mx

Head of the Mexican Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
oacnudh@hchr.org.mx

————————
Acción Urgente de Amigos de Brad Will (Friends of Brad Will)

Estimados Amigos y Apoyantes,

Favor de leer el reporte, tomar acción y correr la voz!

Como muchos de ustedes ya saben, el 18 de febrero de 2010, Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno – activista social oaxaqueño falsamente acusado de haber dado muerte al reportero de Indymedia, Brad Will, en 2006 – fue liberado después de estar encarcelado 16 meses. Es una victoria importante, pero Martinez Moreno, su familia, y otros activistas siguen enfrentan riesgos significativos.

Desde que fue libertado, Martínez Moreno y su familia han sido acosados constantemente. Han recibido amenazas de muerte y los paramilitares con enlaces al gobierno, a quienes los testigos oculares han vinculado con el asesinato de Brad Will, con corroboración fotográfica, se han visto varias veces parados en frente de la casa de los Martínez Moreno.

En vez de correr el riesgo de ser arrestado de nuevo, o ser asesinado, Martínez Moreno ha tenido que esconderse. Muchos temen la posibilidad de que el Ministerio Público puede tratar de echar la culpa a otros miembros del movimiento social por el asesinato de Will.

Por favor, únete a nosotros en exigir que ceda el acoso y las amenazas contra Martínez Moreno y su familia, y que los verdaderos responsables por el asesinato de Brad Will se lleven a la justicia.

Por favor, envíen la siguiente carta en español o en su propio idioma a los correos a continuación.

Estimado ___,

Le escribo hoy para exigir que cede el acoso y las amenazas contra Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno y su familia de forma inmediata. Desde que Martínez Moreno fue liberado de la carcel, donde fue detenido sin prueba ninguna por el asesinato del periodista estadounidense, Brad Will, él y su familia han recibido amenazas y otras formas de acoso constante. Han recibido amenazas de muerte y los funcionarios locales que fueron grabados en 2006 disparando contra Brad Will se han visto en frente de la casa de la familia Martínez Moreno en varias ocasiones.

Exigimos que tomen las medidas necesarias para asegurar el bienestar y seguridad de Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno y su familia, ya que su seguridad es responsabilidad del gobierno estatal de Oaxaca tanto como el gobierno federal; cualquier ataque que ocurra contra ellos se verá como falla del gobierno mexicano, por no haber actuado.

Exigimos que los verdaderos asesinos de Brad Will – y de los 25 oaxaqueños asesinados por los paramilitares vinculados al estado en 2006 – se lleven a la justicia. Una investigación sobre las acciones de la policía municipal y los miembros del PRI, Santiago Zárate, Orlando Manuel Aguilar Coello, Pedro Carmona, Juan Carlos Soriano, y Juan Sumano, quienes se ven disparando contra Brad Will en fotografías, debe empezar de una vez. No aceptamos que se eche la culpa de las crímenes del gobierno a activistas de la APPO.

Atentamente,

Envia a:

Fernando Francisco Gómez-Mont Urueta
Secretario de Gobernación
secretario@segob.gob.mx

Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana
Embajador Mexicano a EE.UU.
mexembusa@sre.gov.mx

Ulises Ruiz Ortiz
Gobernador del Estado de Oaxaca
gobernador@oaxaca.gob.mx

Felipe Calderón
Presidente de México
felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx

Evencio Nicolás Martínez Ramírez
Procurador General, Estado de Oaxaca
buzonciudadano@pgj.net

RAUL PLASCENCIA VILLANUEVA
PRESIDENTE DE LA COMISIÓN NACIONAL DE DERECHOS HUMANOS
correo@cndh.gob.mx

LIC. EDUARDO MEDINA-MORA ICAZA
PROCADURIA GENERAL DE LA REPUBLICA
ofproc@pgr.gob.mx

MAG. LIC. HECTOR ANUAR MAFUD MAFUD
PRESIDENTE DEL HONORABLE TRIBUNAL SUPERIOR DE JUSTICIA DEL ESTADO
oaxtsj@infosel.net.mx

JEFE DE LA OFICINA EN MEXICO DEL ALTO COMISIONADO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS DE LA ONU
oacnudh@hchr.org.mx

Amenazas y hostigamiento contra Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno y su familia.

Drohungen und Einschüchterungen gegen Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno und seine Familie.

Threats and harassments against Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno and his family

12 de enero 2010

Aproximadamente a las 15h una persona que Juan Manuel nunca había visto entra en la área de visita del penal de Ixcotel en Oaxaca y lo pregunta cuánto dinero quiere para confesarse culpable. El desconocido también le ofrece la presidencia del municipio de Santa Lucia del Camino. Juan Manuel le responde que él no se vende y que tarde o temprano iba a salir porque es inocente. Seguido el hombre le dice en tono amenazante: acuérdate que tienes esposa y tres hijos.

12. Januar 2010

Ca. um 15h betritt ein Mann, den Juan Manuel noch nie gesehen hat, den Besuchsraum des Gefängnisses Ixcotel in Oaxaca und sagt zu ihm: Wie viel Geld willst du, um dich schuldig zu bekennen? Ausserdem bietet der Unbekannte Juan Manuel die Präsidentschaft im Bezirk Santa Lucia de Camino an. Juan Manuel antwortet, dass er sich nicht verkaufen lässt und dass er früher oder später das Gefängnis verlassen wird, weil er unschuldig ist. Worauf der Mann in drohendem Ton sagt: Vergiss nicht, dass du eine Frau und drei Kinder hast.

January 12,  2010

At approximately 3 pm a person Juan Manuel had never seen before came to the visiting area of the Ixcotel prison and asked him how much money he wanted to declare his guilt.  This unknown man also offered him the presidency of municipality of Santa Lucia (where Juan Manuel lives).   Juan Manuel responded that he was not selling himself and that sooner or later he would be freed because he is innocent.  Then the man said to him in a threatening tone:  remember you have a wife and 3 children.

15 de enero 2010

Aproximadamente a las 13h20 los tres niños de Juan Manuel se percatan que un hombre desconocido  (posiblemente un agente de la afi) en un auto volkswagon golf color café con placas del distrito federal les está tomando abiertamente fotos con una buena camera con teleobjetivo.

15. Januar 2010

Ca. Um 13Uhr20 bemerken die drei Kinder Juan Manuels, dass sie von einem unbekannten Mann aus einem Auto heraus fotografiert werden. Der Mann hat eine moderne Kamera mit einem Teleobjektiv. Sie vermuten, dass es sich um einen Agenten des Bundeskriminalsamts Mexikos handelt.

January 15, 2010

At approximately 3:20 pm Juan Manuel’s 3 children realized that an unknown man (possibly a federal investigative agent, afi)  in a brown volkswagon model golf car with Mexico City license plates was openly taking photos of them with a good camera with telephoto lens.

18 de enero 2010

Aproximadamente a las 8h la esposa de Juan Manuel recibe una llamada en su celular con un número del distrito federal. La persona dice: Si no te callas lo vas a pagar con lo que más quieres. Además dice cosas muy feas y groseras. Desde ese día los niños ya no van a la escuela ni juegan afuera.

18. Januar 2010

Ca. um 8Uhr erhält die Frau von Juan Manuel auf ihrem Mobiltelefon einen Anruf mit einer Nummer des Bundesdistrikts Mexiko. Die Person sagt: Wenn du nicht schweigst wirst du mit dem bezahlen was du am meisten liebst. Ausserdem sagt er ihr sehr hässliche und ordinäre Sachen. Seit jenem Tag gehen die Kinder nicht mehr in die Schule und spielen auch nicht mehr draussen.

January 18, 2010

At about 8 am Juan Manuel’s wife received a cell phone call from a Mexico City number.  The caller said  if you don’t keep quiet you’ll pay with what you love the most, along with other vulgar comments.  Since then the 3 children have not attended school or played outside.

8 de febrero 2010

Aproximadamente a las 19h la  esposa de Juan Manuel sale junto con su hija más pequeña de la casa para ir a una tienda que queda a unas tres cuadras. La niña anda unos metros adelante en bicicleta. De repente desde una esquina sale un carro camioneta blazer color negro con vidrios polarizados con alta velocidad. Casi atropella a la mama. Ella grita a la niña para que salte al lado. El carro sigue con la misma velocidad. Vecinos salen en auxilio.

8. Februar 2010

Ca. Um 19h verlässt die Frau von Juan Manuel zusammen mit ihrer jüngsten Tochter das Haus, um sich zu einem Laden zu begeben, der sich drei Strassen weiter befindet. Das Mädchen fährt auf dem Fahrrad voraus. Plötzlich nähert sich ein Auto Marke Blazer Farbe schwarz mit verdunkelten Scheiben mit hoher Geschwindigkeit. Die Mutter wird beinahe überfahren. Sie schreit damit ihre Tochter auf die Seite springen kann. Das Auto fährt mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit davon. Verschiedene Nachbarn eilen zu Hilfe.

February 8, 2010

At about 7 pm Juan Manuel’s wife left her home with her youngest child to go to a store 3 blocks away.  The child had her bicycle and was ahead of her.  Suddenly a black Blazer pick-up with polarized windows sped from the corner at top speed almost running over the mother, who yelled out to her child to jump aside while the pick-up continued at high speed.  Neighbors came out to help.

18 de febrero 2010

Aproximadamente  a las 12h al término del mitin en el  zócalo (después de la liberación de Juan Manuel) se percatan que uno de los responsables de los hechos del 27 de octubre 2006 está sentado en el zócalo. La gente de la sección 22 se acerca y lo preguntan que hace aquí. El dice: Estoy observando. Finalmente se aleja con una risa burlona e intimidatoria.

18. Februar 2010

Ca. um 12 Uhr nach Beendigung der Kundgebung nach der Freilassung Juan Manuel bemerkt die Familie, dass einer der Verantwortlichen für die Ereignisse am 27.Oktober 2006 sich am Zocalo aufhält. Verschiedene Leute der Lehrergewerkschaft nähern sich und fragen ihn was er hier mache.. Er antwortet: ich beobachte. Schlussendlich entfernt er sich mit spoettischem Lachen.

February 18, 2010

About noon after the rally at the zocalo following Juan Manuel’s release from prison, one of the men shooting at the barricades on October 27, 2006 was sitting at the zocalo.  Some Section 22 (teacher’s union) members approached him to ask what he was doing there.  He responded I’m observing, and finally left with a mocking, intimidating sneer.

19 de febrero 2010

Aproximadamente a las 14h un día después de la salida de Juan Manuel el presidente Priista de Santa Lucia del camino se presenta junto con un grupo de gente que lo protege en un domicilio ubicado frente a la casa de Juan Manuel. Beben alcohol y con miradas burlonas miran hacia la casa.

19. Februar 2010

Ca. um 14 Uhr ,einen Tag nach der Freilassung Juan Manuels, erscheint der Pri-Präsident des Bezirkes Santa Lucia begleitet von Leuten, die ihn beschützen, in einer Liegenschaft gegenüber von Juan Manuels Haus. Sie trinken Alkohol und schauen immer wieder mit spöttischem Blick in Richtung des Hauses.

February 19, 2010

At about 2 pm on the day after Juan Manuel’s release, the PRI president of the municipality of Santa Lucia along with his bodyguards showed up at a house directly across the street from Juan Manuel’s.  They were drinking alcohol and looking at his house with  mocking sneers.

21 de febrero 2010

Aproximadamente a las 11h cuando la familia se moviliza en el auto del cuñado se fijan que son perseguidos por un carro marca surru color rojo sin placas con dos hombres en civil a bordo. Gracias al hecho que el cuñado conoce bien la ciudad logran escapar. El mismo auto fue visto dos meses antes cerca de la casa.

21. Februar 2010

Ca. um 11Uhr, als die Familie im Auto des Schwagers von Juan Manuel unterwegs ist bemerken sie, wie sie von einem  Auto Marke Surru Farbe Rot  ohne Nummernschilder verfolgt werden. Im Auto sitzen zwei zivil gekleidete Männer. Dank der Tatsache, dass der Schwager die Stadt ziemlich gut kennt gelingt es ihnen die Verfolger abzuhängen. Das gleiche Auto wurde bereits zwei Monate zuvor in der Naehe des Hauses gesehen.

February 21, 2010

At around 11 am when the family was riding in a car driven by a brother-in-law they realized they were being followed by a red surrru without license plates with 2 men inside in civilian clothes.  Fortunately the brother-in-law knows the city very well and was able to elude the pursuers.  The same car had been seen 2 months earlier near their house.

1 de marzo 2010

Juan Manuel tiene que esconderse después que hay peligro que sea encarcelado nuevamente. Eso después que el juez correspondiente el 17 de febrero 2010  realiza un dictamen sin la presencia de los abogados ni de Juan Manuel donde que dice tener pruebas que Juan Manuel disparo contra Brad Will.

1.März 2010

Juan Manuel muss sich verstecken, weil die Gefahr besteht, dass er erneut verhaftet wird. Die zuständigen Behörden behaupten Beweise zu haben, dass Juan Manuel auf Brad Will geschossen hat.

March 1, 2010

Juan Manuel goes into hiding after learning he could be reincarcerated.  The state criminal judge accepted new evidence that he says may show Juan Manuel’s presence at the site of the murder of Brad Will. (The first rumors were that it showed him shooting Brad Will, for which he had just been exonerated.)  The judge accepted this evidence without the presence of Juan Manuel or his attorneys.

2 de marzo 2010

Un  hombre joven más o menos 24 anos con corte militar esta a diez metros de la casa con un celular con camera. Cuando la esposa intenta tomarle una foto el hombre se pone nervioso y se aleja.

2. März 2010

Ein junger Mann, ca. 24 Jahre alt, mit einem Militärhaarschnitt befindet sich zehn Meter  vor dem Haus von Juan Manuel. In den Händen hält er ein Mobiltelefon mit Kamera. Als die Frau von Juan Manuel versucht ihn zu fotografieren wird er nervös und entfernt sich.

March 2, 2010

A man about 24 years old with a military-style hair cut was standing about 10 meters from the front entrance to Juan Manuel’s house with a cell phone with camera.  When his wife tried to photograph the young man he seemed visibly nervous and left.

March 8, 2010

During the night a group of drunk men were outside the house of Juan Manuel’s sister’s house shouting we are going to kill your brother.

March 15, 2010

At about 10 am there was a man outside Juan Manuel’s house taking photos of the house.  His wife went out to ask him why he was taking the photos and he said he is an employee of Santa Lucia.  She then photographed him with her cell phone camera and  went to the office of the teachers’ union, Section 22, and denounced this legally with her attorney from Section 22.

Friends of Brad Will Arrested for Questioning Governor

NY Mexican Consulate – Protest for Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno

VIDEO: Rally for Political Prisoner Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno, Oaxaca City

Oaxaca City, January 14th, 2009: Members of Section 22 and APPO came to demand Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno’s release from prison. In the clip, his sister Lybia reads the families statement at the offices of the 5th District Judge. Background info: On October 16th 2008, Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno was imprisoned for the 2006 murder of American Journalist Brad Will, unjustly, as eye-witness and forensic evidence has proved his innocence. He was scapegoated by the Mexican government in order to appease U.S. demands that the case be prosecuted, as a prerequisite for funding to Mexico under the Merida Initiative. He remains
incarcerated at Santa Maria Ixcotel prison, in the City of Oaxaca, to this day.

03.11.2009 Caravan to D.C.

Join us March 11, 2009 for the Friends of Brad Will Caravan to D.C. Or setup a meeting with your local representatives.

Below is a list of our demands and an information packet you can take to your congress person. (check periodically for updates)

You can join our efforts: http://friendsofbradwill.org/contact-us/

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OUR MISSION:
To inform our representatives of the Human Rights Violations and impunity U.S. tax money supports in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean; and to verbalize our opposition to it as well as encourage theirs.

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OUR GOALS:
1. Free Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno! (unjustly imprisoned for Brad Will’s murder)

2. Prosecute the paramilitaries responsible for killing Brad Will and investigate the 27 other political murders in Oaxaca.

3. Stop the Merida Initiative! (aka Plan Mexico) End The Drug War!

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DOCUMENTS PACKAGE to give to your congress person:

Regarding Juan Manuel’s Martinez Moreno’s Case:
-Amnesty International Action Alert

-Reporter Without Borders Article

-A picture of Juan Manuel

-A picture of para-militaries shooting in Brad’s direction

-Physicians for Human Rights Article

-Mexican National Comission on Human Rights (CNDH): Report on Brad’s Case (Spanish)

-Narco News Article

-NY Times Article

Opposition to The Merida Initiative (aka Plan Mexico)
-AFL-CIO
-United Steelworkers

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HELPFUL TIPS

Meeting with Your Congress People

10 Tips On How to Lobby

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BACKGROUND INFO:
On October 16th 2008, Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno was imprisoned for the murder of Brad Will, unjustly, as eye-witness and forensic evidence has proved his innocence. He was scepegoated by the Mexican government in order to appease U.S. demands that the case be prosecuted, as a prerequisite for funding to Mexico under the Merida Initiative. He remains incarcerated at Santa Maria Ixcotel prison, in the City of Oaxaca, to this day.

When Brad was killed, photographs were taken of police, police commanders, operatives and PRI party bodyguards, firing guns at the protesters. These included Pedro Carmona, Abel Santiago Zarate aka “El Chino,” Juan Carlo Soriano aka “El Chapulin,” Commander Manuel Aguilar Coello, and Juan Sumano. These paramilitaries are directly linked to the corrupt Governor Ulises Ruiz, and we demand their arrest.

The Merida Initiative. Under the guise of the ‘war on drugs’, aid package threatens Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean with a return to 80s style counter- insurgency targeted at activists like us throughout the hemisphere, namely those that dissent, challenge domination and oppression and offer more fair alternatives to live together – e.g. labor, anti-neoliberal trade, indigenous rights activists. More on Plan Mexico.

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DONATE/CONTACT
We can arrange rides for people and are accepting resources (donated vans, cars, and $) for expenses.

For more information please contact: h.bubbins (at) gmail.com

Obama urged to speak up for murdered journalist in meeting with Calderon

January 12, 2009

Obama urged to speak up for murdered journalist in meeting with Mexican President Calderon
and to reject as an “impractical continuation of a failed policy” Bush’s Merida Initiative

(Washington, D.C.) Friends of Brad Will urged their members to contact President Elect Obama’s Transition Team today to urge the President Elect to bring up the case of murdered U.S. journalist Brad Will in his meeting with Mexican President Calderon in D.C. Monday afternoon.

The organization, which was established two and a half years ago when the journalist was killed by Mexican paramilitaries while covering a teachers’ strike, has called on Congress and the Bush State Department to aid in obtaining justice for their murdered friend. They described the Obama-Calderon meeting as “an important opportunity to move forward not only on Brad’s case but also on many Mexican political prisoners’ cases.”

They asked callers to Obama’s transition team to urge Obama to ask explicitly about Brad’s case and those of other innocent people arrested, raped or killed (in Atenco, Juarez, Chiapas, Oaxaca and elsewhere).

Manuel Red Pebble Perez, Coordinator of Binational Indigenous Peoples’ Outreach for Friends of Brad Will, declared “(t)he United States should not be supplying lethal aid to unaccountable ’security’ forces in Mexico or Latin America that have shown themselves incapable even to bring to justice the Mexican government paramilitaries witnessed in broad daylight killing our colleague, Brad Will”. He pointed reporters to the report by Reporters without Borders (see: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19485) and to the International Physicians for Human Rights forensic team’s findings which sited culpability of Mexican government paramilitaries for Mr. Will’s and others’ murders as ignored by Mexican State and Federal prosecutors.

Under pressure from the U.S. government for resolution of the case, the Mexican authorities have arrested and put out arrest warrants for 11 innocent people, at least 4 of whom courageously stepped forward with Brad’s parents to provide their eyewitness testimony to the Mexican govt. The Mexican government is now scapegoating these innocent people in a travesty of justice labeled by Kathy Will, Brad’s mother, as ‘absurd.’

Joy Ophelia, a spokeswoman for Friends of Brad Will said that “(t)he notorious corruption and lack of accountability of Mexican security forces and their widespread human rights abuses makes Bush’s Merida Initiative (aka Plan Mexico) a terrible, impractical idea, which Obama should discontinue.”

Background information:

Plan Mexico Backgrounder: http://americas.irc-online.org/am/5118

Witness to Brad Will’s Murder Denounces Recent Arrests
http://elenemigocomun.net/1704

“. . .Juan Manuel has been falsely charged with the homicide of U.S. journalist Bradley Roland Will. (H)e is . . .an active individual, committed to his community through his parish and municipality.”

Video: A Call to Action from the Family of Juan Manuel (one of the wrongly accused)
http://elenemigocomun.net/1928

President-elect Obama to Meet with President Calderón

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect Barack Obama will meet with
Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón on Monday, January 12. The meeting
will be in Washington, DC at the Mexican Cultural Institute. There is
a long-standing tradition, since 1980, of U.S. presidents meeting with
the Mexican president prior to being sworn in to underscore the
important relationship between the United States and Mexico. This
meeting is in keeping with that tradition.

###

SUPPORT JUAN MANUEL BY SIGNING THIS LETTER

Everyone can help!

After the hearing last Monday was awaiting the decision, these days are important to take actions and exert pressure before the trial judge. Juan Manuel wants to return to his family.

Please add your name to this letter and send it to the judge in the case. The english version is first and spanish follows.

Just sending a fax we can make a difference.

——————————————————–

ENGLISH
SUPPORT JUAN MANUEL BY SIGNING THIS LETTER AND SENDING IT TO THE JUDGE PRESIDING OVER THE CASE Lic. Rosa Iliana Noriega Pérez
Juez Quinto de Distrito
Calle de Amapolas núm. 1202 Colonia Reforma
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, México CP 68000
Teléfono:(+52) 951 5 13 56 40
FAX: (+52) 951 5 13 23 51

DATE, PLACE

Honorable Judge:

I/We ________________ (name and/or organization), citizen(s) of ____________ (nationality) would like to take this opportunity to send my/our regards and additionally to refer to the case of Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno.

To my/our knowledge, despite the fact that he is an active individual, committed to his community through his parish and municipality, Juan Manuel has been falsely charged with the homicide of U.S. journalist Bradley Roland Will.

This past October 29th the detainee was represented by his defense counsel in the Federal Court to seek an injunction against the formal writ of imprisonment placed against him by the judge of the Fourth Division of the Central Judicial District in Oaxaca on October 22nd for the crime of homicide supposedly committed against the abovementioned journalist. Said injunction was circulated with docket number 1311/2008 in the court that your honor now presides over.

I/we also understand that sufficient proof does not exist to justify the charges placed against Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno. According to the judicial proceedings, the only proof presented consists of two testimonies, neither of which refers directly to Juan Manuel at any point. There is a clear lack of precision in these two testimonies that detract from their value as evidence. It is important to note that in the course of the criminal investigation by the PGR there have been around 70 testimonies, none of which point to Juan Manuel; it is alarming that persuasive evidence cannot be found to support the accusation against Juan Manuel after so many people testified before judicial authorities. Similarly, I/we understand that the expert rulings are lacking in scientific rigor and consequently arrive at conclusions lacking in methodological substance in addition to the lack of suitable expert evidence.

It is greatly concerning that the judge of the Fourth Division of the Central Judicial District in Oaxaca has conceded probative value in two vague testimonies in spite of their imprecision and incongruence, and that based on this evidence paired with deficient and insufficient expert opinions, he intends on stripping an innocent person of his liberty, processing him for a crime without sufficient proof his guilt. Even more disturbing is the fact that this judge threw out the opinions of a group of independent experts from the International Forensic Program of Physicians for Human Rights, which clearly point to the inconsistencies in the investigation. Similarly, the judge in the case also managed to reject the recommendations 050/2008 of the National Commission for Human Rights, which determined that the shots that impacted Brad Will´s body were fired from 32 meters away, not 2 meters as the PGR is claiming.

Last Monday, December 15th, the constitutional hearing of the legal injunction was held in your honor´s court with Juan Manuel present. Now that the case is proceeding to sentencing, I respectfully ask your honor to take into account the arguments that have been put forth in his defense, subject to the rights of due process established in the Magna Carta and in the international human rights agreements that Mexico has signed and ratified which, as your honor is aware, are binding under the Constitution. It is important to note that this case has received international attention, and a number of national and international organizations are aware of the case and its defendant. I am confident that your honor will closely analyze this case and will resolve it in a fully autonomous manner, without political interjection, based on the truth and in accordance with international standards for human rights. I don´t doubt that it is in that and no other way that your honor continuously carries out your duties as a judge.

Sincerely

________________
(name/signature)

ESPAÑOL
APOYE A JUAN MANUEL ENVIANDO ESTA CARTA A LA JUEZA DEL CASO

Lic. Rosa Iliana Noriega Pérez
Juez Quinto de Distrito
Calle de Amapolas núm. 1202 Colonia Reforma
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, México CP 68000
Teléfono:(+52) 951 5 13 56 40
FAX: (+52) 951 5 13 23 51

Fecha, lugar

Respetable Señora Juez:

El que suscribe y firma (poner nombre de la persona y/o organización), ciudadano (poner nacionalidad) aprovecho la oportunidad para saludarle, y además referirme al caso de Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno

Según tengo conocimiento, pese a que se trata de una persona activa, comprometida con su comunidad a través de su parroquia y una regiduría municipal, a Juan Manuel se le ha imputado falsamente el homicidio del periodista norteamericano Bradley Roland Will.

El 29 de octubre pasado, el detenido a través de su defensa acudió ante la Justicia Federal, presentando una demanda de amparo para reclamar el auto de formal prisión dictado en su contra por el Juez Cuarto Penal del Distrito Judicial de Centro, con residencia en Oaxaca, mismo que fue dictado el 22 de octubre por el delito de homicidio calificado cometido supuestamente en agravio del mencionado periodista. Dicho juicio de amparo fue radicado con el número 1311/2008 por el Juzgado que está a su digno cargo.

Tengo entendido que no existen los elementos de prueba con los que se acredite la probable responsabilidad de Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno. Según el expediente penal, los únicos medios probatorios son dos testimonios que en ningún momento señalan directamente a Juan Manuel. Hay una obvia falta de precisión en esos dos testimonios que le restan todo valor probatorio. Es importante tomar en cuenta que dentro de la averiguación previa integrada por la PGR se cuenta con alrededor de 70 testimonios sin que en ellos se señala a Juan Manuel; resulta alarmante que no se puedan obtener elementos de convicción para sustentar la acusación contra Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno después de que tantas personas declararan ante la autoridad ministerial.
Asimismo, es de mi conocimiento que los dictámenes periciales carecen de técnica científica y por ende, arriban a conclusiones carentes de sustento metodológico, agregándose a tal circunstancia la carencia de más pruebas idóneas realizadas por especialistas.

Me parece sumamente preocupante que el Juez Cuarto Penal del Distrito Judicial del Centro ubicado en Oaxaca haya concedido fuerza probatoria a dos testimonios vagos a pesar de sus imprecisiones e incongruencias, y que en base a estas probanzas, así como a pruebas periciales insuficientes y deficientes se pretenda privar de su libertad y procesar a una persona inocente por un delito respecto del cual su probable responsabilidad no se demuestra. Más aun porque, en contrapartida, ese juzgador desechó la opinión de un grupo de peritos independientes del Programa Internacional Forense de Médicos por los Derechos Humanos, en los cuales se señala claramente las inconsistencias dentro de la indagatoria. En este mismo sentido, el juez de la causa también llegó a desestimar lo establecido por la Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos en su recomendación 050/2008, donde determinó que los disparos que impactaran el cuerpo de Brad Will se realizaran a 32 metros de distancia y no a 2 metros como sostiene la PGR.

El pasado lunes 15 de diciembre, se desahogó ante usted la audiencia constitucional dentro del juicio de amparo al que ha acudido Juan Manuel. Ahora que procede el dictado de sentencia, respetuosamente me permito pedirle que tome en cuenta los argumentos esgrimidos por su defensa sujetándose a los derechos procesales consagrados en nuestra Carta Magna y en los instrumentos internacionales sobre derechos humanos que nuestro país ha firmado y ratificado, mismos que, como usted sabe, forman parte del derecho interno por disposición constitucional. Es importante hacer hincapié en que el presente caso ha cobrado relevancia internacional, por lo que diversas organizaciones tanto nacionales como internacionales se encuentran al tanto de lo ocurrido sobre el particular.
Confío en que analizará minuciosamente ese caso y que resolverá con plena autonomía, sin injerencias políticas, con base a la verdad y conforme a los estándares internacionales de protección a los derechos humanos. No dudo que es esa y no otra la manera en que habitualmente realiza su importante labor como juzgadora.

Atentamente,

Nombre, Firma

VIDEO: Three Men and a Baby vs. Senator Dodd and WOLA

Description: A look at how, and why Friends of Brad Will took a stand for Human Rights and against Senator Dodd and the Washington Office on Latin America on September 17, 2008.

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International Human Rights Day

DECEMBER 10th, 2008 is International Human Rights Day

Take a Stand Against Human Rights Violations in México!

Stop the Merida Initiative aka Plan Mexico!

Join us in actions at each of the 100 Congressional District offices (or
in DC).

For more information about how to take action read below.

For inspiration WATCH THIS VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9KboUuzwd0

Now is the time to get creative. How will you take a stand?

——————

Here is how to find your representative:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

But don’t just write to them here, call and set up an in person appointment!

If you never did that before, it’s easy: say this…..

“Hello, I want to thank the rep for their work on human rights and would like on Dec 10th International Human Rights Day, to discuss Plan Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean etc”

And then contact us for more info if needed (and to let us know what district you’ve called – whether or not a meeting w/Reps is scheduled).

Call and set up a December 10th appointment with your Representative’s D.C. and/or District Offices this week.

Under the guise of the ‘war on drugs’, the Merida Initiative threatens Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean with a return to 80s style counter- insurgency targeted at activists like us throughout the hemisphere, namely those that dissent, challenge domination and oppression and offer more fair alternatives to live together – e.g. labor, anti-neoliberal trade, indigenous rights activists.

Volunteer to lobby rally, meet, forum or create an event in your local community. Add your issue to the agenda!

We need local volunteers across the country!
Email h.bubbins((AT))gmail(DOT))com

Sponsored by:

Friends of Brad Will
North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA),
WESPAC Foundation
Grannies for Peace
NYC Chapter of the
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
Committee in Solidarity People El Salvador CISPES
UCTP United Confederation of Taino People
HustleMode
DeepDance Promotions

and a growing coalition, add your name and energy!

More on Plan Mexico:
http://americas.irc-online.org/am/5118
Please forward far and wide! (And contact local Congresspersons
office to ask for meeting).

****RECUERDEN LA FECHA

10 de Diciembre de 2008-12-04 es Día Internacional de los Derechos Humanos

As algo parar detener las violaciones de derechos humanos en México!

Hay que detener la Iniciativa Mérida (también conocido como el Plan México)

Nuestra meta es que ocurran eventos en cada una de los cien distritos congresionales (o en sus oficinas en D.C.)

Aquí ay un VIDEO para inspirarte:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9KboUuzwd0

Ahora es tiempo de ser creativo. Como vas a apoyar a nuestros vecinos?

——————-

Si nunca has hecho esto anteriormente, te decimos que es fácil: Dices esto:

“Hola, me gustaría agradecer a mi representante por su trabajo en los derechos humanos y me gustaría que el 10 de diciembre, el día internacional de derechos humanos, se discuta el Plan México, Latino América, y el Caribe etc.”

Nos puedes contactar si necesitas mas información, o cuando lo necesites (también para avisarnos a que distrito llamaste- y si se pudo agendar una reunión con el Representante).

Llama y agenda una reunión el 10 de diciembre con tu representante de D.C. y/o en las oficinas de distrito esta semana.

Bajo la mascara de la “guerra en contra el crimen organizado y drogas”, la iniciativa Mérida amenaza a México, latino América, y el caribe con un retorno de la contrainsurgencia también vista en los años ochenta, los cuales también atacaban a los activistas como nosotros a través del hemisferio; específicamente aquellos quienes
disiden, enfrentan a la dominación y la opresión y aquellos quienes ofrecen alternativas justas en respecto a como vivir juntos, por ejemplo en el labor, en el intercambio anti-neoliberal, y quienes defienden la autodeterminación y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas.

Apoya en los mitins, los encuentros, en los forums y en crear eventos en sus respectivas comunidades.

Necesitamos voluntarios locales a través del país!

Escriba al correo electrónico: h.bubbins(at)gmail(dot)com

Patrocinado por:
Friends of Brad Will
North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA)
WESPAC Foundation
Grannies for Peace
NYC Chapter of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
CISPES
May 1 Coalition for Worker and Immigrant Rights.

Y una coalicion creciente! Agrega tu nombre y energia a la lista!

Mas sobre el Plan Mexico: http://americas.irc-online.org/am/5118

Por favor re-envía y difunde!

Recent alternative to neoliberal globalization event with Friends of Brad Will

Friends of Brad WIll attended the NYU Conference: Many Yeses, One No: Confronting Corporate Globalization

As the anniversary of the Seattle protests against the WTO approaches,
the world economic system- a system whose logic and shape has been
defined by neoliberal economic theory- is in ruins, and the United
States has elected a new president that many people hope and expect
will bring about “real Change.”

Many in attendance turned their eyes to the “Third” and “Second” worlds which initiated (in the 1970s) opposition to neoliberal trade and security policies and which have continued to oppose them to this day. While some lamented the possibility that the alternative globalization movement may have ended post 9/11, others pointed out the turn away from such policies throughout the world especially in the Western Hemisphere/Latin America.

We are working in solidarity with the peoples of the western hemisphere who have organized and taken the streets in record numbers to oppose neoliberal economic policies who are now facing U.S. military, police and covert interventions in the Hemisphere.

President Bush has been propping up extreme right-wing governments in Colombia and Mexico with Plans Colombia and Mexico (i.e. the Merida Initiative), subverting democratically elected ones in Bolivia and Venezuela, and is continuing to negotiate the undemocratic Security and Prosperity Partnership in secret. Plan Mexico was declared by Assistant Secretary of State Shannon as “NAFTA armored”. It is also the armed program within the SPP.

The conference discussed new priorities, including standing in solidarity with Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean by opposing Plan Mexico (the Merida Initiative) in the name of Brad Will, the anti-globalization activist and journalist murdered by paramilitaries trying to destroy a peoples movement against privatization, corruption and militarization.

Coverage of Brad Will Memorial Actions 10/27/08

On Monday October 27th 2008, the 2nd anniversary of Brad’s murder, Friends of Brad Will in Mexico, New York, Houston, San Francisco, and Portland held press conferences and rallies to publicize our cause and our new demands.

In New York, Free Speech Radio News covered the hunger strike and protest. Photos are online at nyc.indymedia.org.

In Houston, activists met with press and representatives from the Consulate. Read: Houston Indymedia coverage, hear: KPFT radio news coverage.

In San Francisco, Friends of Brad Will gathered at the Mexican Consulate to remember Brad and the people of Oaxaca and issued a statement of demands to the Mexican Consulate. Coverage on indybay.

In Portland, The Friends of Brad Will, along with supporters of Oaxaca, gathered in front of the Mexican Consulate to call for justice in the case of Brad Will’s murder by Mexican paramilitaries, and justice for the people of Oaxaca. Coverage on Portland Indymedia.

In Mexico, actions were covered in El Universal (in Spanish), and the LA Times blog.

In Uruguay, activists issued a solidarity statement (in Spanish).

photos
Houston:
San Francisco:
New York:
Portland:

Monday 10/27: Press Conferences in SF, Houston, Portland and New York on the 2nd Anniversary of Brad's Murder

New York City
Gathering in remembrance: noon, Press conference: 12:30 pm
Mexican Consulate
27 East 39th Street in Manhattan, between Madison and Park .
call in support and voice our demands: Phone: (212) 217-6400 Fax: (212) 217-6493
——————–
Houston
10:30 am: Mexican Consulate 4506 Caroline, Houston TX 77004
call in support and voice our demands: phone: (713) 271 – 6800 Fax: (713) 271 – 3201
Nick Cooper and members of the Community speak: Brad Will’s Killers Remain At Large and Innocent Activists Are Being Charged in His Death

——————-
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.

Excellent video on Brad's case and FoBW action at Senator Clinton's office

Link to Albert Covelli’s Video

A Hunger Strike at Clinton’s Office

By David Gonzalez for NY Times

Harry Bubbins likes to plant things. When his friend Bradley Will was shot dead covering antigovernment protests in Mexico nearly two years ago, he planted a tree in the South Bronx to honor the slain journalist. This week, days after the Mexican government arrested two leftist protesters in connection with Mr. Will’s murder, Mr. Bubbins is again planting things.

Himself, on a Midtown sidewalk.

In an admittedly extreme move to draw attention to what he — and numerous human rights groups — say is a cover-up by Mexican authorities, Mr. Bubbins is on a four-day hunger strike outside the Third Avenue office of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
More

Friends of Brad Will in Hunger Strike at Clinton Office

CALL U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton at her office:
(212) 688-6262 (see talking points/demands, below)
Harry Bubbins (hunger-striker) reports that she was in the office this a.m.
You don’t have to live in NY to make this crucial phone call!

Stop by the vigil at 780 Third Ave (between 48th & 49th St.) Manhattan

Friends of Brad Will are in their 2nd day of a 4-day round-the-clock vigil and Hunger Strike at Sen. Hillary Clinton’s office (no food, no drink, no water)

Remembering Brad Will (1970-2006)
New York journalist assassinated in Oaxaca, Mexico
by right-wing paramilitary death squads

Friends of Brad Will, including human rights advocates Robert Jereski and Harry Bubbins, will be engaging in a 4-day vigil and fast as part of an international “Week of Action and Remembrance” of our friend Brad Will, to call attention to the Mexican government’s cover-up of the U.S. journalist’s murder and in opposition to Senator Hillary Clinton’s support for U.S. funding for Mexico’s military operations under Plan Mexico (the “Merida Initiative”).

The vigil will last for 4 days and nights outside Senator Clinton’s office. It is calling on Sen. Clinton to order protection for witnesses who saw Mexican government paramilitaries shooting at demonstrators, including Brad Will, in Oaxaca, and who are currently being threatened by Mexican Authorities.

Brad Will was assassinated while reporting and filming the 2006 uprising in Oaxaca. Multiple witnesses say he was shot by right-wing paramilitaries who are seen in photos shooting towards Will. The paramilitaries are: Juan Carlo Soriano, municipal police officer; Manuel Aguilar, council personnel chief; Able Santiago Zarate; and Pedro Carmona, mayor of Felipe Carrillo Puerto de Santa Lucia del Camino. (See photo at http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2008/10/100875.html and also at http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19485 )

The Mexican government’s own National Commission for Human Rights issued a report a few weeks ago which declared that the federal and state attorneys general have violated human rights, legality, and judicial security and prevented access to justice in their investigation of Brad Will’s murder. (See this document at http://www.cndh.org.mx/recomen/recomen.asp )

According to Robert Jereski, who is a human rights advocate, former director of the New York City-based International Forum for Aceh and the author of several essays and key articles on the subject, “Plan Mexico is a secret ’security pact’ supposedly intended to expand the ‘drug war’ in Mexico, but which would provide over a billion dollars of U.S. taxpayer money in the next two years to train and arm the notoriously brutal and corrupt Mexican security forces with deadly equipment, including helicopters and surveillance equipment, and lethal training.

“It is our duty to stand up for human rights in solidarity with the victims of those security forces, and not with the perpetrators of human rights violations,” Jereski continued, explaining that U.S. weaponry and training have been used by Mexican officials to violently repress dissent and leftist and indigenous movements – “the very actions that journalist Brad Will was exposing.

“Plan Mexico is also being opposed by the United Steelworkers union, Global Exchange, and Witness for Peace because it imposes horrendous conditions for workers in Mexico under the pressure of the U.S. government,” Jereski concluded.

And Harry Bubbins, an environmental expert living in the Bronx, adds that “the Jewish magazine Tikkun and Jews for Racial & Economic Justice also oppose Plan Mexico because under the guise of the ‘war on drugs’ it has enabled the unpopular right-wing Mexican President Calderon to appoint members of the anti-semitic El Yunque movement to his cabinet.”

Bubbins explained that the vigil was called for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s office in order to “demand that New York State’s Democratic Party leaders oppose the Bush militarization package bolstering right-wing paramilitaries in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and declare a new era of cooperation with the peoples of this hemisphere and not with those who abuse human rights.

“We, friends of U.S. journalist Brad Will,” Bubbins said, “are calling on Senator Clinton to help us achieve justice and an end to impunity by Latin American and Caribbean security forces for the murders of Brad Will and many other journalists and labor and indigenous activists. We urge the Senator to oppose the failed neo-conservative security model promoted by President Bush and Mexican President Calderon by speaking out against the Merida Initiative.”

A statement released by the organization, “Friends of Brad Will,” asks “Why has Senator Clinton ignored the murder of a U.S. journalist by Mexican government-backed paramilitaries? Why has she said nothing about the cover-up and false arrests by Mexican State and Federal civilian authorities? And why has she agreed to fund additional lethal training and armaments to Latin American governments which routinely target their own civilians, especially labor and indigenous rights activists? Is this how she honors the life of a U.S. citizen who lived and worked in New York?”

A press conference was held in front of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s Manhattan office on Tuesday, October 21, to kick-off the vigil, fast, and week of action and remembrance. Special thanks to La Jornada and the Mexican Associated Press for showing up, as well as a number of U.S. media. Please send along any stories about this that you come across.

DEMANDS

1) That Hillary Clinton issue a public statement demanding the protection of the witnesses to Brad’s murder, the arrest of the government agents on film shooting at him, and a public statement opposing the Merida Initiative (Plan Mexico).

2) Arrest the REAL Killers. When Brad was killed, the people photographed firing guns at the protesters were police, police commanders, and operatives and bodyguards for the PRI party, including Pedro Carmona, Able Santiago Zarate aka “El Chino,” Juan Carlo Soriano aka “El Chapulin,” Commander Manuel Aguilar Coello, and Juan Sumano. They are directly linked to the corrupt Governor Ulises Ruiz. We demand their arrest.

3) 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 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 and Octavio Perez Perez.

4) Justice for Brad, Freedom for Oaxaca. Brad is only one of dozens of activists, reporters, civilians, and unarmed people killed by the State response to the Oaxacan movement for justice and freedom. Friends of Brad Will not only demands justice for them, but demands what they demand: the end of corrupt brutal rule by Ulises Ruiz.

5) No to Neo-Liberalism. Marcella Sali Grace Eiler, an international solidarity activist working with CIPO, Colectivo Mujer Nueva and with the witnesses of Brad’s death, was found brutally raped and murdered September 26th 2008 in San Jose del Pacifico in the state of Oaxaca. Her death is part of an escalation of violence against women in an era of neo-liberal trade agreements and drug wars. We join in solidarity with the friends and family of Sali and demand an end to NAFTA, CAFTA, and Plan Puebla Panama.

6) 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 an end to the Merida Initiative.

———————————————–

About the initiators:

Robert Jereski’s publications include The Conflict in Aceh, and U.S. Interests in Promoting A Free Market, Stability and Human Rights in South East Asia – An Examination of the Context and Impacts of ExxonMobil’s Security Arrangements with the Indonesian Armed Forces, viewable at http://preventconflict.org/portal/main/research/jereski.htm . He was also a 2004 Democratic Party candidate for Congress in New York City’s 14th Congressional District.

Harry Bubbins is a New York City based environmental and human rights advocate who was named the 2001 Bronx Activist of the Year. He has presented at numerous forums from DC to NYC, including Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He has directed a theater piece, “Bush Invades Mexico”, on the impact of United States Latin American policy on human rights in Mexico at the Martin Siegal Theatre of the City University of New York: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79rFpfMYRdo. His most recent performance was featured on Democracy Now! at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RItQbTvKcE

Hunger Strike in Remembrance of Brad Will

Members of the organization Friends of Brad Will are participating in a 4 day vigil and fast from October 21st until October 24th in front of Senator Hillary Clinton’s offices in New York, as part of an international “Week of Action in Remembrance” of their murdered friend Brad Will. The purpose of the action is to bring attention to the Mexican government’s cover-up of the U.S. journalist’s murder and to show opposition to Senator Clinton’s support for U.S. funding for Mexico’s military operations under Plan Mexico (the “Merida Initiative”) .

The action is taking place 24/7 in front of senator Clinton’s offices located at 780 Third Ave, Suite 2601(between 48th and 49th street & 3rd Avenue).

VIDEO INTERVIEW and B-ROLL Package:

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Democracy Now Headline October 22, 2008.

Friends of Brad Will Edit:

The Rule of Impunity: Mexican Government Ignores Overwhelming Evidence, Charges Oaxacan Activists with Brad Will’s Murder

By John Gibler

On October 27, 2006, Brad Will stood on Juarez Avenue in the municipality of Santa Lucia del Camino, Oaxaca, Mexico. He was filming a violent clash between armed, civilian-clad municipal police and officials and members of the Oaxaca Peoples’ Popular Assembly, or APPO

Brad, a longtime New York City activist and independent journalist, traveled to Oaxaca in early October 2006 to report on the protest movement led by the state teachers union that sought to oust governor Ulises Ruiz of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, which had ruled Oaxaca with an iron fist for almost 80 years.

Brad stood amid the APPO protesters and other journalists, filming down the length of Juarez Avenue where armed officials were firing at the protesters. Brad was shot and fell to the ground, his camera still running, having recorded the sound of the shot that hit him. Brad was shot from straight on, just below the chest, and yet his killer does not appear in the camera frame at the moment of the gunshot. Brad died on the way to the hospital. He had been shot twice.

Two years later, on October 16, 2008, the Mexican federal government arrested two members of the APPO, charging Juan Manuel Martinez as the gunman and Octavio Perez with helping to cover up Brad’s murder (Perez was later released on bail). Federal police were still looking for other suspected accomplices, all members of the APPO who had tried to carry Brad to safety and save his life.

The arrests came after a series of human rights reports criticized the government’s investigation for failing to follow leads pointing to local officials who were widely photographed by the press shooting at APPO protesters on October 27, 2006.

“It is such a coverup,” said Kathy Will, Brad’s mother, in a telephone interview on learning of the arrests. “It is an insult to us and to all of the groups that have tried to help with a meaningful investigation.”

more

Brad Will Memorial in NYC Art Show

An altar to Brad Will, created by artist Tanyth Berkeley, whose work has been featured at the Museum of Modern Art will be on display at the world renowned BELLWETHER gallery.

July 10th – August 8th, 2008 Opening Reception: Thursday, July 10th, 6-8PM

Vanessa Albury, Tanyth Berkeley & Todd Chandler, Tammy Rae Carland,
Patricia Cronin, Amrita Das, Leela Devi, Rob Hauschild, Paa Joe,
Joss paper effigies, Roy Kortick, Lisa Ross, Victorian hair
wreaths, Marc Swanson & Joe Mama-Nitzberg

Curated by Becky Smith

If Love Could Have Saved You, You Would Have Lived Forever is an
exhibition of art and objects that reference the aesthetics, material
culture, and traditional gestures surrounding death and remembrance.

On view is Vanessa Albury’s Funeral (Projection), in which a darkened
room is filled with a single-slide projection of a still image taken
by Albury at her grandmother’s funeral. Tanyth Berkeley and Todd
Chandler will present a video made in memory of their friend Brad
Will, an anarchist and documentary filmmaker who was shot and killed
during a teacher’s strike in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2006.

Tammy Rae Carland has photographed a range of idiosyncratic items
taken from her childhood home after the death of her mother, creating
a poignant portrait through quotidian objects. Patricia Cronin will
exhibit a bronze sculpture from her Memorial to a Marriage Series, in
which she created a grave marker for the Woodlawn Cemetery plot she
has reserved for herself and her partner Deborah Kass.

Ghanaian fantasy coffins are constructed in shapes that reflect the
lives, careers, and aspirations of their inhabitants – cocoa beans,
pineapples, airplanes, boats, and Bibles are common forms. We are
pleased to present a coffin replica of a slave castle by Paa Joe, the
foremost maker of figural coffins. The anonymous nature of mourning
will be addressed through disposable-camera snapshots of impromptu
roadside memorials, taken and collected by Rob Hauschild.

Joss paper effigies are burned at Chinese Taoist funerals as a way of
sending gifts and comforts to loved ones who have crossed over to the
spirit realm. This age-old tradition has become heavily influenced by
Western pop culture, creating a new market for paper replicas of
luxury objects like LV wallets, Rolex watches, credit cards, sneakers,
and beer. Rob Hauschild and Becky Smith accumulated this collection
for a forthcoming book, Funny to Burn.

Roy Kortick, an artist working in ceramic and mixed media, has made a
memorial for his beloved dogs K and Sammy, which also addresses the
communal trauma of living in New York during 9/11. Paintings by Leela
Devi and Amrita Das, from the Mithila region of Southern
Nepal/Northern India, will be exhibited in New York for the first
time. The paintings depict the devastating effects of the tsunami in
Sri Lanka, and a long-distance tribute to the victims of 9/11. Lisa
Ross photographs the adorned burial mounds of the Uyghur people from
the Xinjiang area of Western China, a tradition of ornamenting twigs
and branches in the desert to venerate local saints and mystics.

Victorian hair wreaths, a memento mori tradition that became popular
after the death of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert, makes use
of the hair of a loved one to create intricately woven floral
tableaus. Marc Swanson and Joe Mama-Nitzberg have collaborated on a
series of photographs of floral arrangements designed in memory of gay
icons Darby Crash, Anna Nicole Smith, Sam Wagstaff, and Halston.

Finally, Becky Smith will exhibit her personal collection of
photographs of blank grave markers, which are used to sell headstones
– a macabre reminder of the inevitability of everyone’s future demise.

BELLWETHER is located at 134 Tenth Avenue, between 18th and 19th Street.
Summer hours are Monday – Friday, 11 AM – 6 PM.

Left and Right Unite to Oppose Mexico Foreign Policy Scheme

Immediate Release ********************** May 13th, 2008

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

Friends of Brad Will discuss Merida Initiative, Impunity and Brad's murder with Representative Nita Lowey, (D-NY)

On Monday, April 7, members of Friends of Brad Will Westchester attended a Town Hall meeting on health care and spoke with Congresswoman Nita Lowey, the Chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee Foreign Operations subcommittee which is considering Plan Mexico (or the Merida Initiative).

Concerns were shared about the message which a lethal aid package for the brutal and unaccountable Mexican security forces would send to those same forces.

Bush announced the Merida Initiative almost exactly a year after U.S. journalist Brad Will was killed in Oaxaca, Mexico, while covering the teachers’ strike and popular movement against a corrupt governor there.

Contact Representative Nita Lowey and let her know you want Plan Mexico/the Merida initiative scrapped.

Here is a link which you can download as a PDF to the flier with her contact number on it, 100s of which were distributed to the attendees.