By Gray Dunia

Often when I am finished writing an email to a compañero or compañera I conclude with, "en solidaridad". The concept of being in solidarity is something activists, peace workers, and revolutionaries often speak of. But on a tangible, concrete level, how does solidarity manifest itself? Through my work with CASA Chapulin, I was shown a little piece of solidarity in action. This sense of solidarity was experienced not only in my own work, but also by feeling the direct support of others, particularly when we found ourselves in danger.

I began working with CASA Chapulin in Oaxaca, Mexico in October of 2006. Within the collective, we worked on creating educational workshops, writing articles, and broadening our knowledge base on the current political crises facing our new home. As the situation escalated in Oaxaca, an atmosphere of fear and repression developed, and members of the collective found themselves clearly involved in the struggle transpiring- as international observers, conducting interviews, photographing events, and writing articles.

CASA Chapulin continued this work despite the growing intimidation towards international observers. Taking a photo of the Federal Preventative Police often meant being video taped by one of them. Rumors circulated that government spies had infiltrated different activist communities and that names were being collected. Criminalization of activists and civil society in support of the movement was rampant.

On the infamous evening of the 25th of November, the members of CASA Chapulin discovered that a new illegal state sponsored radio station, Radio Ciudadana, was being used as a tool of intimidation and fear, provoking violence between people in the streets of Oaxaca. The host of Radio Ciudadana accepted call-ins who encouraged people to take to the streets and support the repression of the PFP; call-ins demanded that offices of non-profits and homes of people involved in the movement be burned. In an article written by Nancy Davies, she describes how one caller asked the true citizens of Oaxaca to take to the streets and pour acid and boiling water on APPO and APPO supporters. On the morning of Nov. 26th a caller on Radio Ciudadana identified the location of CASA Chapulin's office, declaring it the home of foreigners in support of the social movement. CASA Chapulin had become a target.

A few days following the 25th of November the newspaper La Jornada published an article declaring that the Mexican government had collected 100 names of internationals in Oaxaca who had been involved and that they intended to begin deporting those listed.

Given the prevailing circumstances, members of CASA Chapulin felt that it would be in everyone's best interest to leave Oaxaca for a period of time. Nevertheless, the decision to leave was hard. In late November the collective left Oaxaca and slowly made our way to Mexico City, where we were warmly greeted by Casa de los Amigos, a Quaker guesthouse and community which functions as a non-profit supporting various programs and peace initiatives in Mexico.

Casa de Los Amigos welcomed us into their community for over two weeks. Casa de los Amigos made it possible for CASA Chapulin to stay there by providing discounted rates, offering us office space to work, and a place where peace of mind was possible. While in Mexico City, CASA Chapulin continued reporting news as well as translating for a human rights organization, that was overloaded by the number of torture testimonies coming out of Oaxaca. Casa de Los Amigos also supported CASA Chapulin by organizing for us to give a presentation on the current political situation facing Oaxaca.

On a personal level, I feel as if my time at Casa de Los Amigos allowed me to put into perspective events and personal experiences from Oaxaca. It gave me time to reflect on the role I played in the transpiring conflict and the connections between the struggle in Oaxaca and those facing the U.S. and the global community. My personal relationships with those at the Casa de Los Amigos provided me with an outlet. I felt supported and cared for by the Casa de Los Amigos community. I know that CASA Chapulin is extremely grateful for having had the opportunity to connect with such a supportive community of peace activists and for the generosity they extended to us.

Casa de Los Amigos reached out in solidarity to provide CASA Chapulin with a safe space to regroup and continue our own efforts in solidarity with the peaceful resistance in Oaxaca. This was solidarity in action.