Caravana Arrives in Oaxaca for Megamarch

In Support of the APPO, Mexico City Residents Weather a Military Search Before Arriving in Oaxaca

By Julie Webb-Pullman
Special to The Narco News Bulletin

November 5, 2006

Yesterday, as the caravana of supporters from Mexico City left Hemiciclo at noon for Oaxaca, hundreds crowded the streets to cheer them on their way. This scene was repeated throughout their journey, with cheering people lining the highway at several points. The ten buses and fifty cars that left DF had been joined by scores more along the way, and despite several “arms searches” by military, carrying assault rifles (the only people actually carrying guns), the caravana arrived after a twenty hour trip. Scores of appreciative locals, including and a brass band beneath the monument to Juarez at Crucero de Viguera, greeted them.

D.R. 2006 Julie Webb-Pullman

Following the gross and systematic human rights abuses of the past week, a contingent of human rights observers accompanied the caravana, and despite the military reinforcements brought in during the night by helicopter, today’s march drew between 15,000 and 20,000 people. The demonstration was peaceful and without incident, apart from a Technological Institute student shot in the chest in front of Radio Universidad before the march began. According to local reports, Marcos Manuel Sanchez Martinez is alive and receiving medical care.

Locals thronged the streets and over-bridges cheering, clapping and shouting support to welcome the marchers from Mexico City and other states.

Entire families turned out, from the oldest to the youngest, just like they did last Thursday to defend the University from the threatened military invasion.

Police presence was minimal. Even at the endpoint of the march, when they reached [Santo Domingo] Church, the only police were plains-clothed officers who were spying on and filming the crowd. For that small mercy, at least, Oaxaca can be thankful today.

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