i’ll try to write more about Brad Will and the struggle in Oaxaca tomorrow, but i wanted to get this out for now…

In the wake of US activist, journalist, and musician Brad Will, demonstrations in over a dozen cities around the US took place today. Twelve protesters in Raleigh are occupying the Mexican Consulate in NC in solidarity with the people of Oaxaca. Twelve demonstrators in NYC have been arrested while protesting outside the Mexican Consulate there. Anarchists here in Indiana took over the Mexican Consulate’s office until police reinforcements arrived. And all the while, the people of Oaxaca maintain control of the city (despite the official government line that the Mexican military has taken over the city). You can get updates on a lot of the actions at infoshop.org.

While Brad’s death is tragic, it should serve as a reminder that there is a very real war against the people of Mexico and those that stand in solidarity against the State.

Bombs and Shields, whose author was a roommate of Brad’s, has a heartfelt tribute to Brad. Here’s a piece of that letter:

I was preparing the entertainment Friday night for a Halloween Critical Mass after party, when a friend of mine in a dragon costume told me that people were looking for me, and that my longtime friend and roommate Brad Will may have been killed by gunmen in Oaxaca City, Mexico. Okay, I knew that at least nine people had already died since the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO) took control of the city in recent months, but Brad couldn’t really have been killed. They couldn’t have shot Brad. After all he was a journalist, and a “gringo” journalist at that. Most importantly I knew Brad and I was expecting to see him tomorrow when he was due to return home, so how could he actually be dead.

Democracy Now also has a great tribute to Brad including words from Brad and friends, words from the struggle in Oaxaca, footage from Brad, music by Brad, and more.

Right now, the police, military, and paramilitary are carrying out even more atrocities against those still fighting for a decent life in Oaxaca. If you are unable or unwilling to participate in direct action, you can still write a letter to your Mexican Consulate, to you local newspaper, to whoever you can to put pressure on the Mexican government to back off of Oaxaca and meet the demands of the teachers’ union.