Monday, June 19, 2006
It was the first day back in class. I had butterflies in my stomach because I was excited to see my friends yet sad because we were back. I got to class and first person I saw was Melissa. We immediately gave each other a hug. Like we hadn't seen one another in years. I was just glad to see her. In such a short period of time we had been through a lot together. Soon after, Gail and Mary walk in and we all hugged too. It was like a family reunion!
As we were getting situated before class we were catching up on the latest news in Oaxaca. Apparently the protest is still going. Denise sent us a link to a cool website.
www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/06/15/1411208
It has an article about Mexican police that are accused of assaulting teachers in Oaxaca. It is a great article and gets right down to the chase about what really happened and why. Denise showed us a documentary by Jill Freidberg. She is an independent film maker. The documentary was called Democracy Now and took place in Seattle, Washington. It was a demonstration of all over the world against the WTO. It was a powerful film. In the begging it was hard to see because it reminded me of our experience in Oaxaca. Peaceful protestors were getting tear gas and assaulted in downtown Seattle. I don't remember what year it was but I think it happened in the late 90's, not too long ago. And yes, it can happen in America too. The protestors were peaceful just like the teachers in Oaxaca. Basically the protest was invitation to join hands and address the issuse.
"They had the DESIRE, POWER & VISION." They did not have a violent agenda like the media or press make them out to be.
"We will respond to death with life." All of the protestors in the film felt strongly about their position. They considered themselves to have many faces but one voice. The economic system was dividing the people. The protestors were hard working citizens that were misunderstood. Right away they were considered vandals and stereo type typed as gang members. It is pretty sad when you see that first hand in another country but to see it done in your own country is even sadder. Many people's rights were taken during the Seattle protest. Officers sprayed down college studens directly in the face with mace. It was completely unnecessary. In Oaxaca the people do not have civil rights so the government has the say so. But here we are in the USA and suppose to be the land of freedom of speech. The elite always has the upper hand.