Guest blogged by Winter Patriot
In my frozen heart of hearts I have been wanting to blog about Mexico for a long time now; at this point it’s getting ridiculous that I haven’t done so already. I don’t have a lot of time but I can give you some links and some quotes and some photos. Special thanks to the San Jose Mercury News and Kevin Diaz of McClatchy Newspapers. (The Mercury News asks you to register before you can read news on their website; it’s free! and well worth it, IMO.)
July 31: Protesters set up camp, show support for López Obrador
Police made no effort to intervene as the protesters set up tents and blocked traffic, apparently in response to López Obrador’s call for the establishment of 47 “permanent assemblies”‘ to press his claims of fraud in the July 2 elections. López Obrador lost the vote to conservative Felipe Calderón by less than 1 percent of 41 million ballots cast.
Protesters at one of the barricades on the Paseo de la Reforma said they would remain there until a federal tribunal hearing López Obrador’s challenge orders a recount of every ballot.
The street action comes amid mounting tensions in the post-election dispute and was the first sign that López Obrador’s supporters intended to take their protests beyond organized mass rallies.
July 31: Massive protests snarl Mexico City
The camps stretched the length of the Paseo de la Reforma, from famed Chapultepec Park to the Zocalo, in the heart of the city’s historic center. The six-lane boulevard became a pedestrian mall dotted with tents.
City police made no attempt to interfere with the largely peaceful “permanent assembly,” which Lopez Obrador organized to press his demand for a recount in his narrow loss to conservative Felipe Calderon in the July 2 presidential election.
Calderon’s camp accused Mexico City Mayor Alejandro Encinas of cooperating with the demonstrators and called for police to clear the demonstrators. But Encinas, a member of Lopez Obrador’s Party of the Democratic Revolution, or PRD, called for calm as he sought negotiations with the protest organizers.
“We’re going to act with moderation and intelligence in confronting difficult times on the national political scene, with the understanding that this is a national problem, not just a problem for Mexico City,” he said.
…
At a raucous news conference in the Zocalo on Monday afternoon, Lopez Obrador’s top aides stressed patience for aggravated commuters.
“Please excuse us,” said campaign coordinator Jesus Ortega. “But the struggle for democracy takes priority.”
Here’s some background on the protest:
July 31: López Obrador urges protesters to set up camp
Addressing about 500,000 marchers filling the city’s historic central plaza and spilling down fashionable Reforma boulevard, López Obrador said, “I propose we stay here permanently until the court resolves this … that we stay here day and night.”
If López Obrador supporters heed his call, blockades could have a catastrophic effect on already chaotic city traffic, hurting downtown commerce.
The leftist asked his followers not to “invade public spaces” and demonstrators said they would not block streets, but López Obrador also apologized in advance for “any inconvenience our movement might cause.”
“We will take drastic measures. We will blockade airports, we will take over embassies,” marcher Sara Zepeda, 32, said as she pushed her 2-month-old son in a carriage.
Want some more background? There’s a lot more from the San Jose Mercury News:
July 27: Absentee ballots a flop in Mexico
July 26: Lopez Obrador pronounces himself `the president of Mexico’
July 25: All of Mexico waiting to see if tribunal will order recount
July 24: Mexico’s contested election will be decided by a court unlike any in the U.S.
Frozen Heart of Hearts? Ha! Interesting. Unfreeze, vato! Unfreeeeze.
Yes, I’ve been following for a bit, too. Interesting (and in a good way) to see coverage of Mexico on BradBlog.
too bad we didn’t do this here in the states in 2000. the world would have been a better place today if we had taken to the streets then, instead of hunkering down for another 2 years of “making us safer”………
how bad does it have to get here before there are marches in our streets?
Konnie, I sure remember the ones who tried! There was a pretty good crowd of people who did not want to take that lying down. I
wasam crestfallen that it fizzled out.Democracy NOW! is covering this…(of course)
How come Bush steps in only “selectively” when other countries claim vote fraud??? He’s said nothing about stepping into Mexico’s claims of vote fraud! He doesn’t like Hugo Chavez, so we should “take him out”…he likes the Mexico results, so he says nothing about the obvious fraud there.
Naturally, the MSM doesn not point this out…on purpose. In the Ukraine, CNN and all the MSM covered 24×7, the discrepancy between the exit polls and the “final count”…
Another issue which I think voting rights litigators should pursue in the US, which can not be done in Mexico, when alleging constitutional violations, is personal liability.
In a recent case the Chief of Police, and others, who violated or conspired to violate the civil rights of protesters can be sued personally:
(link here, bold added). Nothing like a multi-million dollar judgment against an official, personally, to help them to begin to get it and get it good.
It works in America because some value goodies above all else … even the US Constitution … and they tend to be members of the republican dictatorship.
That makes a lot of conspiracy theorists, doesn’t it? Maybe our missing trolls are now selling tin-foil hats to Mexicans, or maybe they’ve been stunned into silence by observing how the democratic process actually works.
Hey BB crowd~
I noticed that the excerpted article described the size of the demonstration in terms of “thousands”, whereas I have also seen it put at 2.4 million?! It seems like GOP tactics at work in the press, manipulating the reporting to quell, or lessen public response.
Any information on law suits being pursued to subpoena email and communications that might implicate the Bush Administration in Mexican Election Fraud?
Thanks,
Styve
It makes me proud to see other countries fighting for their voting rights, yet so sad that as Americans we have allowed the rape of our voting rights, not just in 2000, but in 2002, 2004 and it appears 2006 since ‘nothing’ has been legally done! Yes we have little battles won, but bottom line the Democratic party has not acknowelged this great American fraud and until it does it will not be fixed!
Today I wish we would stop traffice for our rights!
Set the date, I’m there!
Interested in storming D.C.? Seems like some commenters are! GO here:
http://campdemocracy.org/node/44
We’re doing it right here in America.
Whatever the actual size of the Mexico City demonstration, it is the biggest ‘manifestation” ( demonstration) in Mexico’s history.
Without this show of power, Lopez Obrador will never get the recount of the election that I , for one, believe that he won.
As for U.S. influence and interference…can there be any doubt?
We know for sure that there were Bush advisors at work with Felipe Calderon. We know that Choice Point was at work in Mexico ( since 2001!!!).
We know that this was the first Presidential campaign ever to be so hateful and devisive, with very clear swift-boat tactics by Calderon. ( So much so that the electoral oversight body pulled some of his ads as illegal).
We know that Bush was ready to recogise Calderon as the winner long before it was ( and still is not) confirmed.
We also know ( but I have noticed that outside of Texas not too many people DO know) that this admistration is planning to build – starting nest year- a very controversial 12 lane super TOLL highway across Texas…from the Mexican border to the north. Details of this project are being illegally kept secret from Texans. Excuse me for being paranoid…but I am sure that this will involve Mexico ( North American Union? Google it..), and that Calderon ( but NOT Lopez Obrador) will on board with it.
I live half time in Mexico, and have for many years.
There is a lot of corruption and abuse, to be sure. But I know that with Calderon as President, it will be a continuation of the status quo…that is…the poor will stay poor…and get poorer. Why do American think that so many Mexicans are coming north? It is because of poverty and hopelessness…and it is hurting Mexico.
This electoral crisis is difficult for Mexico…but I am proud of the Mexicans for fighting so valiantly. May we watch and learn!!!
Once again, thank you WP for adding to the mix.
#8 Styve
Yes there are connections to the Bush Cabal. ChoicePoint was operating in Mexico prior to election day. I don’t have time to track down the exact links but research Greg Palast, narconews.com, and I think Daniel Hopsicker also did some digging into the Fox crowd getting direct help from Karl and Co. Fox and the Bush family are best buds.
Seems Barbara #11 is all over the Bush connection. Sorry for being redundent. WP, be careful linking to the San Jose Mercury lest you be visited by the Ghost of Gary Webb, may he rest in peace. He has to be smiling.
#11 Barbara is right about the 12 lane superhighway. It is scheduled to start at a port in southwest Mexico, and travel through Mexico, no stop for customs at the US border, and end at a terminal in Kansas City. At that point it will divide with one branch heading northwest, and one branch heading northeast. Both branches will cross into Canada and continue on, the western branch ending in Vancouver BC, and the eastern ending either in Ontario or Quebec. I can’t remember which. Part of the purpose of this is to totally bypass the ports of the Western US in order to deal a death blow to unions. The trucks and drivers would be Mexican, and as many of you know, Mexican trucks do not have to meet the same safety or environmental standards as in the US. There are also to be rail lines that parallel the highways. Joy Williams know the details, or could possibly provide a link.
ADA (#9): November 8, 2006. Your Capital Building (there should be 50 of them). See you there!
i’d like to invoke some soreness.
TWO rigged presidential elections have produce what outrage and demonstration by Americans??
Bush orchestrated 9/11 have produced what outrage and demonstration by Americans??
Since many don’t get that 9/11 was an inside job work backwards:
1. Patriot Act, Homeland Security Act, and wire tapping Americans used to reduce US citizen’s rights.
All laws Bush signed he attached an executive order so his administration is not held accountable.
2. War of Iraq based on lies tied to 9/11 and WMD story. refer to downing street minutes/Plame affair
3. Blatant disregard of our environment in crisis. Put this thought in your head 300 years ago humans weren’t dumping any shit into the atmosphere – what about today? Bushit administration in disregard and denial of Global Warming is selling off the Western wild lands and has reversed over 200 environmental laws.
4. Continue oil war now dubbed war on terror and escalating world violence and nukes. Aggressive stance of losers who do not learn from experience, or use constructive critism/wisdom gained from doing the wrong moves which define the Bushit administration.
5. If “we the people” do not eliminate electronic voting run by companies of convicted felons and put a cap on Corporate contributions to political parties, political corruptness will continue. The interests of “we the people” WILL NOT BE REPRESENTED AND THE RIGGED VOTING MACHINES WHICH WE PAY FOR WILL KEEP THESE CRIMINALS IN POWER.
oh,grissly – and exactly how would we get to these changes? How much money do you have stashed away to buy a few hundred politicans to do our bidding?
Check this out.
http://www.nascocorridor.com/
and this:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/a...cle_4114.shtml
Joy (aka Fancy Pants Elitest) helped me find these.
People in the street are FREE.
I live in Portland, Oregon, where the metropolitan area has a population of about 1M.
Pre-war, about 30,000 people brought Portland to a standstill. I would think that 100,000 (one in 10) would pretty much close down Portland and render the local police and (non-existant) National Guard useless.
So, 100,000 in each of 50 state capitals or major cities is just 5 million of our population.
Are there just 5 million people who give a damn?
I guess we’ll find out on November 8, 2006.
#14
No checkpoints? Hmm… Perhaps a good way to launch a terrorist strike into the U.S. by those not having to go through normal security checks! GREAT! So much for these bums being better “protectors” of our security.
in this crazy world it is good to know that some things never change. namely, liberal nimrods are always going to get upselt in mass when they loose and make total asses of themselves.
it is the kind of stability that is somehow comforting.
popeye
Yes, nimrods do always get “upselt” when they “loose”….
Very “comforting”. 😛
#21 – We are all “loosing”, you….uninformed person… ghost of ancient propaganda and faint echo from the benighted past.
Fresh pitcher of KOOL AID,..
# 21 POPEYE – would you like some ice-cubes with a
nice tall glass of that ?
The difference between the US and Mexico is startling. In Mexico, they’re used to being cornholed. They can smell it a mile away. And the candidates aren’t afraid to say “bullshit.”
The Democrats, and even the MoveOns and Michael Moores, have a lot to learn. They MAY learn it after they have the congressional and senatorial races stolen from them in November. Remember Rove’s permanent Republican majority? They’re not going to let pesky voters get in the way of that.
So after the elections are stolen in November, maybe finally the Dems will grow a spine and start protesting. But don’t count on it. Anyway, it will be too late. Because the NeoCons already control absolutely everything.
Buy gold, folks. Because the days ahead are truly dark…
This moment of sunshine and light brought to you by NeoCon — Helping Destroy the World One Lie at a Time.
Remember the Ukraine, 2004.
This is what Democracy looks like! Good for the Mexican People. I wish to God 5 million Americans would show up for our constitution. The only thing is will 5 million give up their couches, remote controls, beer and FOOTBALL for their very survival? Most people can’t be concerned to believe that things are all that bad. I hate it that our country has turned into a bunch of lazy sloths! Consumer driven lazy sloths!
Sorseress # 18 and Joy
Many thanks for posting those links. A couple of months ago I saw the map of the proposed highway but neglected to save it.
That is ONE scary project…!! Not only would it render your borders less secure than they are now, if that’s possible, but it could sound the death knell for your trucking industry as well as ours up here, north of the border.
Another thing that bothers me is how your ‘powers that be’ can even contemplate spending that kind of money on such a project when your fighting forces overseas are being short changed as far as the latest life saving military equipment, supposedly due to lack of funds in the defence budget.
Good luck in your fight to regain true democracy and in ridding yourselves of the corrupt admin currently raping and pillaging your nation, and you can bet your bippy that I will be forwarding both those links to all my contacts here as well as my Member of Parliament and our Prime Minister with a request for accountability as to where our government stands on this issue.
And last but not least, an attaboy to the Mexican protesters……I love their passion….pitching tents and snarling Mexico City…..te amo, mis hermanos mexicano…!!!! The majority of the Mexican people don’t have much in the way of a decent standard of living, but they sure know how to protest..!! You guys should do the same in Washington D.C.
Evidence of election fraud grows in Mexico. Link: http://www.alternet.org/story/39763
#29……..Laura
Thanks for the link. I rarely go over to Alternet any more cause they had morphed into Progressive Light. I’ll have to consider putting them back on my daily check list. Thanks again
#6
Another issue which I think voting rights litigators should pursue in the US, which can not be done in Mexico, when alleging constitutional violations, is personal liability.
Qui Tam is good to prove a point. But someone was RESPONSIBLE for the actions taken. I want those bastards out of politics and elections for life. You get busted you shouldn’t BE in our government anymore.
Ought to be a Zero Tolerance for government corruption (not to be confused with hiding your personal sex life)
In a recent case the Chief of Police, and others, who violated or conspired to violate the civil rights of protesters can be sued personally:
The D.C. Circuit today ruled that “The mass arrest at Pershing Park violated the clearly established Fourth Amendment rights of plaintiffs. . .” The Court of Appeals ruling rejects the appeal by Chief of Police Charles H. Ramsey, in which Ramsey claimed that he should not be held personally liable for these sweeping constitutional rights violations, clearing the way for a trial on Ramsey’s responsibility. The Court also upheld the District Court’s denial of qualified immunity to Assistant Chief of Police Peter Newsham who also commanded the arrests.
link here, bold added. Nothing like a multi-million dollar judgment against an official, personally, to help them to begin to get it and get it good.
It works in America because some value goodies above all else … even the US Constitution … and they tend to be members of the republican dictatorship.
When they value goodies above all else they BROKE THEIR OATH OF OFFICE!!!
See how well the constitution worked in the
2004 Republican National Convention in NYC
Nevermind that it’s totally irrelevent now and Off Topic for Mexican elections.
Mexicans are not playing our BS games.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE MAN.
JAIL FOR THE CORRUPTION.
I’m not seeing anything regarding counter-protests.
A few reports of people complaining because of the inconvenience, a slam by the Fox government, but no counter-protest.
That fact in itself makes one wonder about how much support Calderon really has!
Mep, No problem.
Mep You know come to think of it I didn’t go to Alternet myself. I got this link at What Really Happened.com. Check it out, Its a good site.
Sorry, Link: http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/
500 Women take over Oaxaca tv Station. Yes Women Power. I love it. Link: http://www.rawstory.com/showout...pe%3Dprintable
Another link to the Oaxaca story is on the site;
http://www.narconews.com
“Narco” is Mexican slang for drug dealer, and this site has helped to expose some of them. It is an excellent resource for non-mainstream news about Latin America.
The protest in Oaxaca has been going on for months. It began as the annual teachers strike ( and they have a lot to strike about, in Oaxaca). The Governor of Oaxaca sent troops against them, and a number of people were killed , including children.
This, as one might imagine, inflamed the public into support for the strikers, and a movement to bring down the Governor..who is the very worst in a rather long line , and who was not legally elected ( Hmmmmm….).
And because there is a lot of support for Lopez Obrador in the South, this , too has exacerbated everthing.
This is pretty simplified…but it is an interesting situation.
Barbara Thanks for the info. I find it fascinating whats going on in Mexico. I think Mexicans should take their country back just like Americans should. Time to stand up for ourselves and our rights. I guess until we get fired on by police we will be too comfortable to take to the streets and stand up. Remember Ohio State? I was just a kid and did not understand at the time but I sure do now.