 Anarchist, NYC Indymedia Journalist Murdered in Oaxaca City Seige
On Friday morning Brad Will was shot and killed during an attempt by
the Mexican government and paramilitary forces to retake Oaxaca after
five months of worker control. We here at Anarchist News did not know
Brad. So we will attempt to tell his story in his own words and the
words of his friends. We will also attempt to aggregate news stories,
broadcasts and events related to his death from both Anarchists and
government forces so as to show how the story is being told not only in
the mainstream US press but around the world as well.
Anarchism has a long full history of those who have put themselves
in harm's way and lost their lives for what they believed. It is our
responsibility to neither forget that sacrifice nor take it for
granted. We are stronger both from their lives and their deaths.
Rest In Peace Brad,
the Anarchist News workers
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In His Own Words
from NYC Indymedia
Last Communique from NYC Indymedia Journalist Brad Will
Death in Oaxaca by Brad Will
early dawn, oct16
yesterday i went for a walk with the good people of oaxaca -- was
walking all day really -- in the afternoon they showed me where the
bullets hit the wall -- they numbered the ones they could reach -- it
reminded me of the doorway of amadou diallos home -- but here the
grafitti was there before the shooting began -- one bullet they didnt
number was still in his head -- he was 41 years old -- alejandro garcia
hernandez -- at the neighborhood barricade every night -- that night he
came out to join his wife and sons to let an ambulance through -- then
a pickup tried to follow -- he took their bullet when he told them they
could not pass -- they never did -- these military men in civilian
dress shot their way out of there
a young man who wanted to only be called marco was with them when
the shooting happened -- a bullet passed through his shoulder -- he was
clearly in shock when we met -- 19 years old -- said he hadnt told his
parents yet -- said he had been at the barricade every night -- said he
was going back as soon as the wound closed -- absolutely
just days before there was a delegation of senators visiting to
determine the ungovernability of the state -- they got a taste -- the
call went out to shut down the rest of the government -- dozens went
walking out of the zocalo city center with big sticks and a box full of
spray paint -- they took control of 3 city buses and went around the
city all morning visiting local government buildings and informing them
that that they were closed -- and we appreciate your voluntary
cooperation -- and they filed out preturbed but still getting paid --
shut -- as they pulled away from the last stop 3 gunmen came out and
started shooting -- 2 buses had already pulled away -- mayhem -- 10
minute battle with stones and slingshots and screaming -- one headwound
-- another through the leg -- made their way to the hospital while the
fighting continued -- shout out on the radio and people came from all
parts -- the gunmen were around the side of the building -- they got
away -- they were inside -- no one sure -- watchful -- undercover
police were reported lurking around the hospital and folks went running
to stand watch over the wounded
what can you say about this movement -- this revolutionary moment --
you know it is building, growing, shaping -- you can feel it -- trying
desperately for a direct democracy -- in november appo will have a
state wide conference for the formation of a state wide assemblea
estatal del pueblo de oaxaca (aepo) -- now there are 11 of 33 states in
mexico that have declared formation of assemblea populares like appo --
and on la otra lado in the usa a few -- the marines have returned to
sea even though the federal police who ravaged atenco remain close by
-- the new encampment in mexico has begun a hunger strike -- the senate
can expell URO -- whats next nobodies sure -- it is a point of light
pressed through glass -- ready to burn or show the way -- it is clear
that this is more than a strike, more than expulsion of a governor,
more than a blockade, more than a coalition of fragments -- it is a
genuine peoples revolt -- and after decades of pri rule by bribe,
fraud, and bullet the people are tired -- they call him the tyrant --
they talk of destroying this authoritarianism -- you cannot mistake the
whisper of the lancandon jungle in the streets -- in every street
corner deciding together to hold -- you see it their faces --
indigenous, women, children -- so brave -- watchful at night -- proud
and resolute
went walking back from alejandros barricade with a group of
supporters who came from an outlying district a half hour away -- went
walking with angry folk on their way to the morgue -- went inside and
saw him -- havent seen too many bodies in my life -- eats you up -- a
stack of nameless corpes in the corner -- about the number who had died
-- no refrigeration -- the smell -- they had to open his skull to pull
the bullet out -- walked back with him and his people
and now alejandro waits in the zocalo -- like the others at their
plantones -- hes waiting for an impasse, a change, an exit, a way
forward, a way out, a solution -- waiting for the earth to shift and
open -- waiting for november when he can sit with his loved ones on the
day of the dead and share food and drink and a song -- waiting for the
plaza to turn itself over to him and burst -- he will only wait until
morning but tonight he is waiting for the governor and his lot to never
come back -- one more death -- one more martyr in a dirty war -- one
more time to cry and hurt -- one more time to know power and its ugly
head -- one more bullet cracks the night -- one more night at the
barricades -- some keep the fires -- others curl up and sleep -- but
all of them are with him as he rests one last night at his watch
uro= Ulises Ruiz Ortiz "governor" of the state of oaxaca planton= sit in, vigil, encampment zocalo= central plaza
From Those Who knew Him
These are responses from a local list populated with many who knew Brad in response to hearing of his death.
Terrible happenings in Oaxaca. Brad was truly a wonderful person -
this news is beyond sad. But I am feeling very angry now . . .
fuck, ya'll, fuck
I don't know what to say, I'm in shock a bit. I hope it's not to
early to say, however, that Brad would want us to ORGANIZE! Can we help
the people of Oaxaca? Can we strike a blow against the vicious power
structure that runs that state and that's now bent on destroying the
resistance to their terrorism? Can we hold the feet of the State
Department and the Mexican government to the fire? Can we insist the
corporate media not ignore or belittle what's happened? or at least
send them a loud and clear message when, inevitably, they do?
We have a lot to talk about if we want to help make Brad's death mean something.
in grief,
Fuck. I really can't believe they fucking killed Brad.
I also am so sad and angry over this assassignation. I didn't know
Brad very well but well enough to appreciate his quiet sense of humor.
He was a common presence at barricades, NYPD or otherwise. I would feel
good knowing that someone in the anarchist community or NYMAA would
take a red & black flag to any Sparts-organized or co-opted action,
though.
in the spirit of the radical journalism that brad loved, people
should be informed of the situation and so be able to make their own
choices about what they want to do.
When the feds were on the verge of entering Oaxaca, I was
responsible for an extremely poorly organized last minute demo at the
Mexican Consulate. Something like 10 people came. Spirits were high,
but it was very badly organized, for which I take credit. Brad was
there, filming, it was a week before he was leaving for Oaxaca, and I
was sort of joking with him about how I fucked the whole thing up. Brad
was so fucking generous to me about it. I asked him if it he was still
happy he came, even though it sucked, and he said yes.
I remember thinking at the time how rad it is when people who are
involved in social justice movements are also just fucking good hearted
people.
Does anyone have some photos of Brad they can post? It would be good to see his face.
Brad doing radical cheers after a DAN meeting, outside, on the steps, at Charas, on a grey Sunday.
Brad getting pulled from his bike and arrested by a cop during some protest or other.
Hugging Brad when he came back from Brazil and we organized the
Goiana protests here to support the landless movement. He was so proud
of the impact that little demo had.
one memory few of us have of brad
...you gotta laugh....
better than the alternative
we are lucky to know brad.
we are lucky to know his one incredible life, one gift for freedom. our
anger rages for what they have stolen, for the brad who we love and
know and for the many who we never did.
those who did this do not understand that this will only deepen our commitment.
i met and spent time with brad on a number of occassions. a
beautiful, warm, open person. the last time i saw him was down in
caracas at the alternative social forum. he was an inspiration and a
constant, true ally
who will be missed dearly.
Brad, always smiling...
Scheduled Events
Over 60 attended a get together / memorial last night (Friday Oct 20) at Bluestockings in NYC.
Some NYC events in response to Friday's apparent police murder of Indymedia Journalist-Videographer Brad Will in Oaxaca:
-- Saturday, NYC Independent Media Center will be open from 3pm on,
for anyone who wishes to gather, talk, help cover the story Brad was
taping. 34 E 29th St betw.
Park & Madison, [#6 to 28th; R to 28th; D, F, N, Q to 34th-Herald Sq.]
-- Tonight, Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7:00PM Vigil for Brad Will &
Oaxaca Mexican Consulate, 27 E. 39th St betw. Madison & Park [#4,
5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central - 42d
St.; D, F (& wkday B, V) to 42d-Bryant Park]
-- Sunday Oct. 29: 2 PM until 10 PM Brad Will Support Banner Making,
at Time's Up! space 49 East Houston nr. Mulberry, Baxter &
Lafayette [D, F to B`way-Lafayette;
#6 to Bleecker; R (or wkend N) to Prince]
-- EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY! OAXACA PRESENTE!(Anarchist-sponsored,
all-welcome planning mtg.) SUNDAY, Oct 29th, 5:30 PM Sixth Street
Community Center, 638 East 6th Street
btwn Ave B and C [F to 2d Ave.]
-- Protest Monday morning at 9:00AM at Mexican Consulate [directions above]
Press Contacts:
Beka Economopoulos, (917) 202-5479
Brandon Jourdan, (646) 342-8169
Eric Laursen, (917) 806-6452
Anyone who has pictures of Brad, please send them here: [email protected]
Brad was an extraordinary man, and like many others who knew him,
I'm devastated by his death. His life was defined by his passion for
justice, and there are a number of ways you can help carry on that
spirit now:
-- join tonight's vigil at the Mexican Consulate
-- attend Monday morning's protest at the Mexican Consulate
-- At the recommendation of Chuck Collins of the Institute for Policy Studies,
Make A Donation! To a grassroots effort that's building international solidarity with the Oaxacan popular movement: First Giving
In Los Angeles:
APPO solidarity fundraiser tonight, the 28th, 6:00PM, at 1226 N. Alvarado St. Los Angeles Ca. 90026
The campaign of repression against the Asamble Popular de los Pueblos
de Oaxaca (APPO) and thier movement of resistance is in a critical
moment. The dictatorship in the control of the state PRI and PAN
(Partido Revolucionario Insitutional and the ultraright Partido Accion
Nacional) are using a model of war of low intensity called Plan Hierro
to destroy the movement of popular resistance in Oaxaca to impose the
assasin governor Ulises Ruiz. And to prepare the conditions of
repression against all movement of resistance that be critical about
the neoliberalism and their puppet Felipe Calderon.
Presentation of the video "Venceremos". Music with Xochisoneros. Danza Cuauhtemoc
All the funds will be send directly to the members of Asamble Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca.
Coordinating meeting for the Oaxaca Libertarian Speaking Tour. Sunday at Noon.
We will meet every Sunday at Noon at the Chuco Justice Center
253 W. Martin Luther King Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90037
Links to news
NYC Indymedia Journalist Brad Will Shot Dead by Government Forces in Oaxaca
NYC Indymedia Official Press Release
Breaking news coverage from NYC Indymedia
Chron.com- Photos of the Attack at Oaxaca
Chron.com- US Journalist Slain in Mexico
OaxacaRevolt.org
The Village Voice- New York Indymedia Journalist Shot in Mexico
Narco News Bulletin- The Other Journalism with the Other Campaign in Chihuahua By Al Giordano
Infoshop- Oaxaca: NYC Indymedia Journalist, 3 Others, Shot Dead by Government Forces
Infoshop- Mexico Sends Forces to Oaxaca
NYTimes- 3 Killed in Mexican Protest; Police Move In
Indybay- PFP and Paramilitaries Attack Oaxaca City: NYC Indymedia Journalist shot and killed
NYC Indymedia- Massacre Underway in Oaxaca
The Associsated Press- Mexican President Send Police to Oaxaca
The Associated Press- NYC Journalist Slain in Oaxaca Mourned
Reuters- U.S. Journalist Killed in Mexico Conflict
Time- Mexico's Fox Gambles on a Crackdown
BBC- Demand for end to Mexico protest
Washinton Post- Police Ordered to Oaxaca After 3 Killings in Strike
Chicago Indymedia- Call to Action Across the US Against Mexican Consulates
El Enemigo Comun
Reporters without Borders- US cameraman killed and photographer wounded in Oaxaca police shooting
DC Indymedia- NYC Indymedia Journalist Shot Dead by Government Forces in Oaxaca, Mexico
Pittburgh Indymedia- Account of the Pr�ista attack in Santa Lucia del Camino in Oaxaca, Mexico
NYC Indymedia Brad Archive
Narco News Bulletin- Federal Police Authorized to Enter Oaxaca
CNN.com- Mexico sends riot police to violence-ravaged city
Resources In Spanish
La Jornado
El Tema
Reforma.com
Vientos Free Media Center
APPO Radio- Live Broadcasts from the Barricades
Radio Zapote
Radio Planton
Radio Sabotaje
Oaxaca Indymedia
Mexico City Indymedia
Mexico State Indymedia
El Enemigo Comun
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