December represents many things; the end of the year, evaluations, reflexion, and planning for a new year. It is also the month where the Virgen of Guadalupe and Christmas is celebrated for Catholics. Additionally, it is also when the International Day of the Declaration of Human Rights is commemorated, of which CASA would like to reflect on:

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.

CASA presents to you the Fall Equinox Newsletter. Take a look to get the scoop on cases of political prisoners, communities in defense of their lands, women in Oaxaca fighting for their rights, repression and resistance in Honduras, an update from our friends at CASITA, and an article in remembrance of the death of Sali Grace.

Welcome to the month of June! The month of gay, lesbian, trans, bi… pride The month of the Word Environment day… But also the month of the third anniversary of the attacks against the teachers who participated in the sit-in on the 14th June 2006 in the main square of Oaxaca.

This month there are many things to celebrate-- international workers, mothers and 5 de mayo just being a few of them.

This month's newsletter includes articles on gender-based violence and the U.S. military's funding for mapping indigenous lands in Mexico.