Noticias in danger in Mexico!

My friend JJ is studying in Mexico this month, and he just posted this bulletin (that I quote here below) about recent efforts of the Mexican government to shut down Noticias, a paper that has been critical of the government. As he describes it, it's a horrible situation. If you have any ideas about how to get involved and protest this, please spread them! In the meantime, this is just an informational posting.

Hi there guys, and greetings from Oaxaca-

Everything's lovely here, except for one thing- the fact that
the rather evil state governor is trying to crush Noticias, one
of the largest independent newspapers because they dared
to report on corruption and govt scandal.

When I came down here, I found the whole city in mid
summer festivities, and had no clue that on one little block
of the city, there was a month-long standoff where
goverment supported thugs were waging a seige on a team
of 31 journalists- They've barricaded the paper's offices,
while local police oversee it all with a benevolent eye. All
month the journalists have been trapped in their office,
eating canned food that people have thrown onto their roof,
sleeping under their desks, and publishing their paper by
emailing the layouts to a printing plant in a city five hours
away. (and some of their shipments of papers have been
intercepted and stolen)

The whole thing's being framed as a labor dispute, and a
powerful union that supports the govermnet is staging this
"strike", but none of the newspaper's employees want
anything to do with it.

Last week, President Fox said that he would intervene, and
that forced the governor to move a bit early- under the cover
of big fireworks, the masked union thugs stormed the
offices, breaking down doors, smashing computers,
dragging out the journalists and stealing their wallets and
cell phones. While these bad guys were crashing into
Noticias' offices and smashing everything, a large police
team in full riot gear blocked off the street to the public, but
did nothing to intervene in the criminal acts that were
happening right in front of them.

The newspaper is still trying to publish, but basically
working undercover. This is obviously completely abhorrent,
and finally the world press has started covering the issue a
bit, but please spread the word as much as possible. If you
know anyone that works with companies or govermnet folk
at all connected with Mexico, ask them to voice their
concern over the Noticias issue.

Below are some links to recent stories in the press, as well
as to a gallery of shots that I took of a rally that took place
this week.

Try doing a google news search for "noticias oaxaca" for
more info.

"The Kidnapping of a Newspaper"

"Mexican Newspaper office Raided by Masked Attackers"

from the committee to protect journalists:
"newspaper employees dragged from offices"

"despite raid, daily continues"

"gov't attack on oaxaca newspaper continues"

"Reporter From Beseiged Mexican Newspaper Describes Union Attack"

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19370630.htm

and my pics from the rally->
http://www.jjarchive.net/2005/07/20050720b_oaxaca