Happy dia de los muertos from CASA Chapulin!

Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead is celebrated all throughout Mexico and some parts of Latin America on November 2nd.  This celebration reminds us that death is a transition in life and not an end, thereby challenging Western dual concepts about life.  Families prepare for the festivity by building alters (or ofrendas) in memory of their loved ones and visiting their graves.

In Oaxaca, Dia de los Muertos is an important celebration where many family members remain hopeful and keep the spirits of their loved ones alive and close to them.  Check out our newsletter to hear an interview on how the family of Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes, one of 26 people that died during the 2006 movement, is celebrating Dia de los Muertos this year.  Make sure to also read an article-ofrenda about the family of Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes and the family of Fong Lee -two families that lost loved ones in the face of paramilitary oppression in Oaxaca and police brutality in Minneapolis.  Also, check out an independent media film festival in honor of Brad Will, and a Universal Call-out to protest the Acteal massacre of 1997 in Chiapas.
 

Contents:

Listen to an interview of Trinidad Sampablo (sister) and Paul Perez Cervantes (nephew) as they tell us the story about Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes, his reason for giving his life to the 2006 APPO movement, and how the family is remaining hopeful during Dia de los Muertos and seeking justice in his name.

An article-ofrenda in honor of  Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes and Fong Lee, two individuals  whose fates crossed with paramilitary repression during the popular movement of 2006 in Oaxaca, Mexico and police brutality and racism in the Hmong community in Minneapolis.  While their lives ended tragically, their stories continue as their family and community members are fighting back, building unity, and defining "justice" and "dignity" on their own terms and based on their own experiences.

Between October 27th and November 30th CASA Chapulin and other organizations will be collaborating with the Independent Media Film Festival in memory of Brad Will, an Indymedia reporter that died while documenting the 2006 popular movement.

A Universal Protest on the Day of the Dead to urge for the reopening of the investigation of the Acteal Massacre in Chiapas in 1997, where members of "las abejas" were killed by paramilitary troops.  

After an investigation that lasted a year and a half, the Supreme Court found Ulises Ruiz Otriz responsible for the violation of individual rights during the social movement in 2006. The Supreme Court Justice decided that URO did not fulfill his obligation to maintain public order and that his omission led to general disorder in the capital city and adjacent areas, essentially blaming Ruiz for not cracking down soon enough.

A statement from the October 2 prisoners in Oaxaca who were wrongfully detained by police officers for taking part of a march in commemoration of the Tlatelolco student movement in 1968.

On September 9, 2009 the State Congress of Oaxaca approved a reform in the State Constitution Article 12 to outlaw abortion, effectively violating the rights of women, their reproductive autonomy, and life in general. Click here to listen to interviews with various women and allies in Oaxaca about the anti pro-choice reform.

On Thursday the October 15th we began a series of workshops on urban agriculture in CASA Chapulín facilitated by a compañero from the Siembra, Lucha, and Cosecha Collective.

Call-out to donate $$$

As always, we encourage members and allies to support our transnational justice work by donating to CASA Chapulin We operate on a tight shoestring budget and depend on grassroots fundraising efforts made by you.   Donations will go towards maintaining a collective space open and ensuring that 2 coordinators keep building a grassroots base in Oaxaca.  Make a tax-deductible contribution by visiting our website: www.casacollective.org or, donate by check. Make checks out to 'The Faithful Fools' with 'CASA' in the memo line, and mail to: CASA c/o Faithful Fools 230/234 Hyde St. San Francisco, CA 94102

If you would also like to receive this newsletter in Spanish or if you are interested in applying for a volunteer position, please write to the same email address: colectivocasachapulin@gmail.com

Saludos de Solidaridad

Oaxaca, Mexico