Reconsolidating the struggle in Oaxaca: The Second APPO Congress

 

In late February, the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO) held its second statewide conference. The crew I work with at El Enemigo Común has made available in English and Spanish several statements and articles about this widely anticipated and controversial event.

 

As the First APPO Congress was held in November 2006, and was widespread support amongst the varying sectors of the social movement for the convening of a second congress. Though not as conspicuous as in 2006, both the social movement and the government repression of it have continued, yet in a more haphazard manner.  The hope for a second congress was that it would reconsolidate the APPO, giving it new life and a renewed focus.

How the congress was constituted and what interaction the APPO would have with the government were major sources of concern.  The number of delegates and who was allowed to attend the congress, as well as whether or not the APPO would negotiate with the government or participate in elections, were particular points of contention. The statements below go into greater depth regarding these matters and others as participants and observers grapple with the competing notions of what the APPO should be and what resistance in Oaxaca should look like.