Saludos solidarios to all our compañeros around the world!

As the New Year rolled in, the first months have brought a number of groundbreaking events throughout Latin America.  In January, the world turned to Haiti, when an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude rumbled through the island and destroyed homes, communities, and major infrastrutures.  The world watched as the U.S. military closed off aid planes with food and medical aid from landing, and instead occupied/militarized lands by bringing in soldiers in uniform with weapons on hand.  Nothing short of new, the U.S.-Mexico Border continues with its militarization and criminalization of undocumented immigrants from Latin America, as the Obama Administration continues to fall short of its "hopes" and "change".  

Despite imperial forces sweeping through, people at the grassroots are mobilizing and building networks stronger than ever.  Community radios throughout Oaxaca and Latin America are reclaiming the airwaves despite being targeted.  Also, the Justice for Oaxaca and Punishment for the Killers of Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes is continuing headstrong as they continue to seek justice, never forget, and build alliances with other comunidades en resistencia in the Isthmus and Cañada region.  And last but not least, Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno was recently freed from prison, unjustly accused for the assassination of Indymedia journalist Brad Will and criminalized under the Merida Initiative.  Check out our first newsletter of the year to get the scoop on these stories and to continue reading about the new initiatives CASA Chapulin is undergoing to strengthen and grassroots movement building sin fronteras.

Juan Manuel (in green t-shirt) and the Martinez Moreno family stand strong as they receive the crowd of support

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Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno is Free! (pictures & audios) On February 18, 2010 Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno, husband and father of three children, was released from prison for wrongfully being accused for the killing of Indymedia Journalist Bradley Roland Will. Will was shot on October 27, 2006 by paramilitary troops under the orders of governor Ulises Ruiz Ortiz while he was recording a mobilization in Santa Lucia del Camino, Oaxaca during the 2006 APPO movement.  Click to see pictures of his release, and listen to comments from people waiting outside of the prison, and a speech that Juan Manuel gave at the Zocalo.

Justice for Oaxaca and Punishment for the Killers of Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes Lorenzo Sampablo Cervantes was assassinated by paramilitary forces under the orders of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz on August 22, 2009 while seeking justice during the popular movement in 2006. Amidst money bribes from the PRI government to silence the death and memory of Lorenzo, family members openly rejected the money and instead launched a campaign to seek justice for Lorenzo Sampablo. Along with legally filing a lawsuit, the family is reaching out to other community members in resistance. The family has participated in numerous caravans within Oaxaca and across Mexico to thread together local resistances and collectively envision strategies and analyses across sociogeographic boundaries. Consider making a donation to the campaign to support the family and their activities throughout Oaxaca.  Click here to go to their website in Spanish.  Click here to watch a documentary about the campaign made by Mano Vuelta Cooperative. 

The militarization of Emergency Aid to Haiti: Is it a Humanitarian Operation or an Invasion? Haiti has a longstanding history of US military intervention and occupation going back to the beginning of the 20th Century. US interventionism has contributed to the destruction of Haiti's national economy and the impoverishment of its population.

Security First: The Obama Administration and Immigration "Reform" In a November 13 speech to the Center for American Progress in Washington, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano made clear that President Obama's administration intends to move forward soon on legislation that would bring about "an immigration system that works." The administration, she promised, "will pursue reforms" true to an American identity as "both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws."

One month after being burned to the ground, independent radio station relaunches in Honduras. On January 6th, the community radio station "Faluma Bimetu- the first voice from the Garifuna community" was attacked by an unknown group, who set fire to the station in the early hours of the morning. Unfortunately most of the equipment and the building could not be recovered. However the community continues to resist and now, one month after the attack, the radio is back on the air and offering programs that focus on resistence and the Garifuna community in Honduras.

Radio Ñomndaa celebrates its Fifth Anniversary. (video) A community radio in southern Mexico celebrated five years of being on the air despite all of the harassment its has suffered from local, state and federal authorities. Transmitting in the language of its people, amuzgo, Radio Ñomndaa has become a bastion of organization in the region and in the state of Guerrero.

EVENT IN OAXACA

Breaking the Silence On March 8th, International Women`s Day, the book "Mujeres de Arena" (Women of Sand) by Humberto Robles will be presented in two different cities in Oaxaca.  The events will be called "Breaking the Silence".  Activities include an exposition with ASARO, arts-based workshops, street performances, and a documentary showing. 

WHAT'S NEW IN C.A.S.A. CHAPULIN?

CASA Chapulin is continuing with the Strategic Positioning collective meetings in an effort to find ways to make more meaningful, strategic, and radical solidarity connections.  Take a look at What's New at CASA Chapulin to read about some of the strategic positioning meetings the collective has had with members and partner organizations in Oaxaca.  Check in later to read updates about the way CASA is re-structuring the board of directors in an effort to create more accountability between the collective and movements in Oaxaca.  And read the 2009 Annual Report from the Coordinators to read about CASA's year-end reflection and programmatic summary.  

Call-out to donate $$$
 
As always, we encourage members and allies to support our 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 emailing the coordinators. (Donation by check are not currently being accepted)

If you would like to receive this newsletter in Spanish or if you are interested in supporting our new strategic process, please write to our email address: colectivocasachapulin@gmail.com

Saludos de mezcalito y chapulines,

CASA-Collective of Support, Solidarity and Action

Oaxaca, Mexico