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geri

Nov 2, 2006, 11:55 AM

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New thread, Oaxaca

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I started a new thread. It gets confusing to me when you get those double lines. Indulge this old lady, please.

Dodi, it's been about an hour or so since you made your first report. You said you had to leave.

From my roof, I see three helicopters. One is high up, circling. The other two go back and forth over the university area, making a nosedive (like a pelican except not way into the water) and then they go back up and turn on a dime, (don't circle) and go back the other way, diving again. We can guess what they're doing. The smoke on the ground is a bluish haze then it rises into coffee-colored billows of smoke. Frankly, after about 10 passes, I got kinda bored. I figured they'd give up by now, but they're still at it. This is about 2 or 3 miles from my house, so I can't actually see the cannisters drop, but there's about 8 or 9 billows of tabaco colored clouds. There must be a BIG human chain out there. Unfortunately, from what I hear, human chains don't stand up well against tear gas.

I really, really doubt that the PFP are throwing grenades. I suspect porros (infiltrators). The PFP just aren't into hand-to-hand combat, at this point. They are here for crowd control and from what I've witnessed, they've stuck to that. The pleas from the university probably brought out great crowds. I'm not doubting that someone was attacking the university. However, I just don't think it was PFP. They'd have no reason to. It's not their mission. They are cleaning the city up and showing amazing restraint. I may be proven wrong.

DoDi2

Nov 2, 2006, 12:06 PM

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Re: [geri] New thread, Oaxaca

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Hi geri,

By grenades they mean grenade canisters of pepper gas. Pepper gas also has burning agents, Another detail.. the water hoses that had been used by the PFP is 'agua acida' ie it has additives to cause the water to burn the skin of demonstrators.

One suggestion just made on the radio is that people collect agua negro in plastic bags to use as weapons to throw at the PFP. (Agua negra is the dirty water that emits from Oaxaca's broken or badly maintained sewage system in some poor neighborhoods.)

The ambulance hasn't arrived for the gravely injured person yet so they are going to try and get him out in a regular vehicle and are asking that the PFP allow them passage. The victim has a bad head injury.

OK... great idea to start a new thread. I am going to go now. I'll leave this link to the University Radio Station:

http://www.asambleapopulardeoaxaca.com/

DoDi2

Nov 2, 2006, 12:42 PM

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Re: [DoDi2] New thread, Oaxaca

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mil disculpas but I just couldnt leave.

The announcement now from the radio station is that the people are winning again in this second battle of the day.

They have completely encircled the PFP. The APPO is offerning the PFP an opportunity to retreat once and for all through one street that they will open for that purpose.

The gassing and beatings are still going on, but the people have caught them in a trap and are announcing a victory.

(This post was edited by DoDi2 on Nov 2, 2006, 12:44 PM)

geri

Nov 2, 2006, 1:15 PM

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Re: [DoDi2] New thread, Oaxaca

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If you are right, this is truly disturbing. I'm glad they have the culprits cornered. My houseguest was locked inside the cemetery for awhile...as a precaution. They are being really careful that people not involved don't get in harm's way here.

I suppose the PFP could have attacked the univ., given it's the only pro APPO radio station right now. Very disturbing. It has been at least two hours that the helicopters have been dumping teargas. that must mean that there are more people there than just the university students.

geri

Nov 2, 2006, 1:19 PM

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Re: [geri] New thread, Oaxaca

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P.S. It seems odd that the PFP are teargassing their own people for this long a period. If the PFP are indeed on the ground, cornered, then the helios are teargassing them, it seems to me. I mean that whole are is just one big cloud of smoke and the helicopters go back and forth, back and forth.

DoDi2

Nov 2, 2006, 1:23 PM

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Re: [geri] New thread, Oaxaca

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They do continue to gas from the helicopters, plus it seems that they are using the helicopters to carry detainees out or carry thier own people.

There's going to be a big march by the way.

Now I really really am going to go ;-)

please stay safe geri... Im thinking of you and am very glad youre safe and sound.... take care

geri

Nov 2, 2006, 1:38 PM

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Re: [DoDi2] New thread, Oaxaca

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Well, if indeed they're trying to rout the APPO from the university, it will be a big job. APPO has the numbers, if not the ammunition. I doubt that anyone at the federal level really believes how strong the anti-sentiment toward Ulises is on the ground level.

MazDee

Nov 2, 2006, 9:22 PM

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Re: [geri] New thread, Oaxaca

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Geri said "I doubt that anyone at the federal level really believes how strong the anti-sentiment toward Ulises is on the ground level." and I believe that. I still can't understand why the Congress won't throw the man out. Obviously, he is not governing the state (apparently that is the criteria), so what's the problem? He is such an embarassment to the PRI now. Why don't they just get rid of him? I guess I never will understand Méxican politics!
I appreciate your reporting so much, Geri. I think all of us do. Keep watching the scene, and informing us, and muchas gracias, Dee