The Narco News Bulletin |
August 15, 2018 | Issue #56 |
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narconews.com - Reporting on the Drug War and Democracy from Latin America |
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The APPO march to show anger and support for Marcelino Coache Verano left the Siete Regiones Fountain in Oaxaca with between 600-800 people on foot. The demonstration also protested the murders of APPO activists like teacher Sampablo Lorenzo and the detention of political prisoners, several of whom are still held. Coache's wife and son led the march.
![]() D.R. 2009 - Photos Nancy Davies |
This slogan reflects a lessened spirit of non-violence and patience in the face of government repression than did positions two years ago. In my personal opinion, the teachers under the leadership of Santiago Chepi are less willing to take shit, although no specifics for action were given or threatened.
Although Coache at first thought he would not press charges due to his fear, he has now agreed to do so. Prior charges placed by Coache or others have never received any satisfactory response (we are talking about the state where impunity is the norm). According to the newspaper Noticias, civil human rights organizations are backing Coache's complaints in hopes that national and international attention and response will follow.
For security reasons Coache had not marched, and when he was introduced he walked through the parted crowd and went up accompanied by his wife and two young children. Other speakers included Emeterio Cruz and the widow of Sampablo Lorenzo, as well as APPO representatives.
![]() Gabriel Lopez Chiñas (Left), Marcelino Coache Verano (Right) |
As an aside, along the route and in the zocalo there were no Stalinist Leninist slogans, although red flags carried on wooden sticks were common. The other banner already in the zocalo referred to the teachers' rejection of ACE (Agreement for Quality Education) and school privatization. Among the marchers, the largest banner (on black) was from Zaachila, a town in constant bitter conflict against the PRI and in support of the APPO since 2006. It looks to me like Section 22 has firm control of the official structure of the movement. We'll see where that leads.