Mexican embassies, consulates shut down in response to killing of journalist

Reaction to a Mexican governmental and paramilitary crackdown on striking teachers and their supporters in Oaxaca, Mexico, that has left 14 dead including independent US journalist Bradley Will, spread across the United States and around the world this week as Mexican consulates and embassies came under siege. "While it is not yet clear which segment of the Mexican government is responsible, it is clear from the many photos taken during the shooting that the chief of police, another policeman and important members of PRI party which supports Ruiz were involved," stated the NYC Independent Media Center where Will worked. Will had been covering the situation in Oaxaca for four weeks. In New York City, where Will made his home, mourners gathered outside the Mexican consulate on Oct. 28 to pay tribute to Will. "We are grieving over the tragic and senseless loss of Brad's life," read a statement released by Will's Family. "Brad's friends and family admired his brave support for the downtrodden, and his willingness to act tirelessly upon his convictions. We believe he died doing what he loved. We will all miss Brad's compassionate, loving and adventurous spirit, and it is our hope that his life's work reporting on the human struggle will never be forgotten." Indymedia, the grassroots news organization that Will was representing in Oaxaca, called for US solidarity protests to start on Oct. 30 at Mexican government facilities across the US in response to the ongoing crackdown on the Oaxaca teachers strike. At the Mexican Embassy in San Francisco, CA, an ongoing encampment of activists are disrupting business. Since Oct. 30, activists in Austin, TX, have been camping out in a vigil outside the Mexican consulate. In Raleigh, NC, protesters demanding justice for Will occupied the consulate's office where one activist locked himself by his neck to the building to disrupt business. In Chicago, IL, 75 people protested outside the Mexican embassy where two where arrested. Two people were also arrested at the consulate in Portland, OR. In Atlanta, GA, protesters gathered outside of CNN headquarters to pressure for coverage of the unrest in Oaxaca. There were also protests at consulates and embassies in Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Providence, RI; San Diego and San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Tucson, AZ; and Worcester, MA. In Minnesota, five people were arrested at the Mexican Consulate on Nov. 1. Internationally, protests took place in , England, Greece, New Zealand, Spain and several cities in Brazil. Protests are also continuing in response to a Zapatista call for international solidarity actions to protest the ongoing crackdown in Oaxaca.