Oaxaca is home to the Mixtec and Zapotec people.

They want to keep living where they are -- as do we.
They want to speak in their mother tongue -- as do we.
They want to choose what they eat -- as do we.
They want to be free to buy or not buy things -- as do we.
They want to celebrate their own holidays -- as do we.
They want their children to learn at school -- as do we.
They want to lead healthy lives -- as do we.
They want to respect and be respected -- as do we.

So why can't they???

To answer those questions, they set up a table with informational material in the zocalo, or main square, of the city of Oaxaca. Located right at the entrance to the main government building, the idea was to get answers by showing their presence to the "powers-that-be".

Simón Yllescas Manzano from Santa Maria Yaviche and Juan Tomás Lopez from San Juan Joquila. They are both members of CIPO-RFM . In addition to Spanish, Simón speaks Zapoteco and "Juanito" speaks Mizteco. This photo was taken late August 2004 at their information table in Oaxaca City, two weeks before their violent eviction.

Unfortunately, the government did not respond. They saw, they accepted, and they sat silent waiting for the right moment to eliminate these cumbersome citizens. That moment came the day before Mexican Independence Day. On September 14th, 2004, the government sent the military in to clean up the town square for the patriotic celebration the following day. The military had been anxiously awaiting orders to act.

At 6 in the morning, the police came and violently evicted these peaceful people out of the public's sight. Fourteen people were arrested and held as political prisoners. Two are still in jail as of May 2, 2005. Dolores was one of the people sent to jail. She is a 37-year old school teacher with a loving family.

Read an excerpt from an interview with Dolores here:
"Another Concept of Development" - in English and in Spanish


Dolores Villalobos Cuamatzi, mother, school teacher, Zapotec woman, and one of many leaders of CIPO-RFM, at their office in Oaxaca.

Read Dolores' message from Etla.

Voz de las comunidades indigenas de Oaxaca.

Interview with Raul Gatica of CIPO-RFM

The Untold Story of the Low Intensity War