Artists, Musicians Celebrate Oaxacan Resistance

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The struggle for justice in Oaxaca, Mexico will be celebrated in music and art this Friday. The fundraiser for Oaxacan art and solidarity efforts (see On the Line) also features food, refreshments, dancing, video reportbacks from recent events in Oaxaca, and revolutionary, traditional Salvadoran music performed by La Nueva Cosecha.“We're hoping to get lots more people informed about the situation in Oaxaca” says Andrew Willis, a local organizer. In May 2006, the Oaxaca teachers' union struck for better pay and working conditions, as well as improvements to the state's educational infrastructure. The strike grew into a popular uprising, with tens of thousands occupying the state's historic capital city. At least 17 civilians were killed and hundreds more were injured when the Mexican government violently repressed the strike. The event will feature an exhibit and art sale of Oaxacan art about these historic events from the ASAR-O collective. “Using art as a tool of resistance,” says Willis, ASAR-O makes “accessible popular art that reflects the demands and vision of the popular struggle in Oaxaca.” ASAR-O members continue to face serious repression and threats of violence for their work, most recently on January 22 when a member was arrested, beaten and jailed for his work. For more info, contact Willis at willisa@gmail.com Prints of ASAR-O artwork