“Compromiso Cumplido” (True to My Pledge)–the first part of a two-part documentary about the ongoing revolt in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Part of this film concerns the death of Brad Will, the Indymedia reporter who got directly involved–and paid with his life for the footage he shot. At the time this documentary was made, 25 activists had died. All their murders were state-sanctioned and committed either by police or plain-clothes paramilitary infiltrators, which is why the perpetrators have not been brought to justice. The corrupt political system in Mexico is as much a villain in these deaths as the gunmen who pulled the trigger.
What began as a teachers’ strike for better wages has since grown into a full-blown social justice movement–there is now a push on to get rid of the crooked governor, Ulises Ruiz, who played a part in the election fraud that put the current right-wing Mexican president into power. Oaxaca, it turns out, was a scene of massive electoral fraud. And the people are angry; they know that they were cheated of a free, fair election. This is why they want more than just more money for teachers or the removal of a bought-and-sold governor. They want a system-wide change–a full-fledged democracy that Mexico has yet to achieve. Elections alone are not enough, especially in light of how the last one was fouled. And the major media, who are complicit in the whole crime, must also be held accountable.
The struggle continues. You can read all about it at NarcoNews.
