Press Release: Poetry & Prose for Human Rights in Oaxaca (3/26)

WHEN: Monday, March 26, 12 noon to 1pm, followed by hearing at the Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant St, at 1:30 pm

WHERE: San Francisco Mexican Consulate, 532 Folsom St, between 1st St. and 2nd St., San Francisco.

WHO:

* Jack Hirschman, Poet Laureate of San Francisco and prominent figure in American poetry community
* Rebecca Solnit, recipient of the Lannan Literary award and the National Book Critics Circle Award.
* Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University East Bay and the author of Blood on the Border.
* Arnaldo Garcia, Bay Area Chicano poet.

WHY:

The poets and writers are supporting the human rights advocates calling for the end to illegal killings and the restoration of human rights in Oaxaca.

Event participants are also calling on District Attorney Kamala Harris to drop felony vandalism charges against Bay Area human rights activist David Solnit for allegedly placing red paint on the entrance to the San Francisco Mexican Consulate on October 31, 2006, days after schoolteacher Emilio Alfonso Fabián, Oaxaca resident Eudocia Olivera Díaz and US journalist Brad Will were shot and killed in Oaxaca City by paramilitary vigilantes connected to the state government. Solnit’s attorney, John Viola, said, “Felony charges and the threat of state prison—for a nonviolent protest—is a regrettable departure from San Francisco's legacy of tolerance for vigorous public debate and protest. The prosecution of David on felony charges threatens free speech on behalf of human rights and social justice. Instead of wasting limited City resources to prosecute a San Francisco Bay Area human rights activist for nonviolent protest, the DA's office should use its resources to pressure the Mexican government to observe human rights and bring to justice all those responsible for killing and violating the basic rights of teachers, journalists and Oaxacan residents.”

The family of Bradley Roland Will, the independent US, visited Mexico last week to push for a legitimate investigation into Brad's murder and to insist that the responsible parties be held accountable. "The cycle of impunity related to crimes against journalists and human rights violations in Mexico must end," said Craig Will, Brad's older brother.

According to Adrián Ramírez, president of the non-governmental Mexican League for the Defense of Human Rights (LIMEDDHH) said, “A number of thick files contain the details of human rights abuses committed in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, where a social uprising lasting more than six months was put down by force by police and illegal armed groups, leaving 20 people dead, 349 under arrest and 370 injured. If it hadn't been for the international and national pressure added to the accusations by human rights organizations, the repression would have been even more violent; of that we are certain.”

Brad Will Family Contact:
http://www.bradwill.org/

Background on Brad Will and Human Rights in Oaxaca:
http://www.friendsofbradwill.org