'Other Campaign' update: 6th – 27th October 2007

Quite a bit of news recently…

The Encounter of the Indigenous Peoples of America took place earlier this month (audio report available here), focusing on the struggles of indigenous people in the area against capitalism (with the EZLN and the Mohawks among those attending). The final Declaration stated its rejection of capitalism, privatization of natural goods and war and the affirmation of indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination.

Those who have heard of the widespread “anti-terror” arrests of activists in New Zealand may already be aware that two of those arrested are Zapatista activists from the Wellington area. The 17 people arrested have all been charged over possession of arms. More information here.

An interesting eye witness report from a Zapatista community on the celebrations linked to the inauguration of a new council can be found here.

Struggle continues in Oaxaca, with a forumbeing held examining indigenous rights and ways of retaining control of natural resources and stopping their privatization. The report also contains interesting information on how large scale wind farms have been pushed on a generally unwilling population.

Meanwhile, information arrives on Bush’s military subsidies to Mexico due to come to 1.4 billion dollars over two years (as reported by the BBC). A congressional hearing on the subject has been held, with the opening statement being available here and footage of the hearings available here.