Hundreds of thousands of Oaxacans marched with the Oaxacan People’s Assembly (APPO in Spanish) on Nov. 5 to demand the resignation of Governor Ulises Ruiz for the sixth time. Tensions before the march ran high in the wake of last week’s failed attempt by the Federal Preventative Police (PFP) to overtake the University of Oaxaca radio station.

Hundreds of thousands of Oaxacans marched with the Oaxacan People’s Assembly (APPO in Spanish) on Nov. 5 to demand the resignation of Governor Ulises Ruiz for the sixth time. Tensions before the march ran high in the wake of last week’s failed attempt by the Federal Preventative Police (PFP) to overtake the University of Oaxaca radio station. The overnight shooting of 21-year old movement supporter Marcos Manuel Sanchez Martinez by suspected paramilitaries also concerned the marchers as they stepped off. The march stretched long through the narrow streets of Oaxaca City. Some estimated its length at 7 kilometers (4+ miles). People were animated and chanted boisterously. Facing accusations by the Governor Ruiz that the majority of those that oppose him are either not Mexican or not Oaxacan, many people carried hand-scribed signs declaring their origin. “We are Oaxacan. And you, where are you from?” read one boy’s sign. Other marcher’s signs focused on ending police repression against APPO activists and freeing the more than 40 protesters arrested since an October 28 action booted protesters from their permanent occupation of the Oaxaca City central square. The square has transformed from protest headquarters into a military encampment since the PFP action one week ago. This morning, PFP agents dressed in riot full gear and gas masks strung barbed wire up at entrances to the square, ostensibly barricading themselves in. At some entrances, the PFP utilized the same vehicles previously placed by protesters to deter potential attacks. “You learned from us well, boys!” said one woman yelling at PFP agents who stood behind a scramble of barbed wire, her voice bathed in sarcasm. Some protesters gathered at the barricade sites to hurl barbs at the agents after the march, but others than stinging insults, no one was injured and PFP agents largely did not respond. The scene contrasted with the PFP attack on the University three days ago. In that battle, agents used helicopters and tanks to rain tear gas upon protesters, who were mobilized into action announcers broadcasting over the University radio station, the principal information source for protesters. Despite their tear gas, overwhelming force and over 1000 agents, the PFP was forced to retreat by early afternoon, leaving APPO with its most powerful weapon.