Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus: Difference between revisions
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The Popular City Council however continued on with their social programs, starting literacy campaigns in [[shanty town|shanty towns]], coordinating with the Independent University of Guerrero to found the preparatory school and the Popular Teacher Training College of the Isthmus, and to begin the Popular City Council Radio, which aired without the permission of the government.<ref name="Mayor02" /> Municipal officials repaired streets, built and refurbished local health centers, created a public library and rebuilt city hall.<ref name="Flores05">{{cite book|title=Local Democracy in Modern Mexico: A Study in Participatory Methods |first=Arturo |last=Flores |year=2005 |publisher=Arena Books |isbn=0954316134 |pages=17}}</ref> On [[August 3]], [[1983]], the ruling PRI government called an extraordinary session of the [[Chamber of Deputies (Mexico)|Chamber of Deputies]], removing all municipal powers, officially removing recognition of the COCEI.<ref name="Mayor02" /><ref name="McCaughan98" /><ref name="Cull03" /><ref name="Annino07" /> |
The Popular City Council however continued on with their social programs, starting literacy campaigns in [[shanty town|shanty towns]], coordinating with the Independent University of Guerrero to found the preparatory school and the Popular Teacher Training College of the Isthmus, and to begin the Popular City Council Radio, which aired without the permission of the government.<ref name="Mayor02" /> Municipal officials repaired streets, built and refurbished local health centers, created a public library and rebuilt city hall.<ref name="Flores05">{{cite book|title=Local Democracy in Modern Mexico: A Study in Participatory Methods |first=Arturo |last=Flores |year=2005 |publisher=Arena Books |isbn=0954316134 |pages=17}}</ref> On [[August 3]], [[1983]], the ruling PRI government called an extraordinary session of the [[Chamber of Deputies (Mexico)|Chamber of Deputies]], removing all municipal powers, officially removing recognition of the COCEI.<ref name="Mayor02" /><ref name="McCaughan98" /><ref name="Cull03" /><ref name="Annino07" /> |
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In response on [[August 6]], a referendum was called by approximately 30,000 people from Juchitán. The result of the referendum was to continue to maintain the Popular City Council through self funding, despite of the governments attempts to dissolve the COCEI's control. On [[December 13]], Federal police officers and army soldiers evacuated the municipal palace, arresting 250 people. In response, thousands of people rallied at the city center, met by federal army units from Oaxaca and neighboring Veracruz, 150 additional prisoners were taken, effectively dissolving the COCEI government.<ref name="Mayor02" /> |
In response on [[August 6]], a referendum was called by approximately 30,000 people from Juchitán. The result of the referendum was to continue to maintain the Popular City Council through self funding, despite of the governments attempts to dissolve the COCEI's control. On [[December 13]], Federal police officers and army soldiers evacuated the municipal palace, arresting 250 people. In response, thousands of people rallied at the city center, met by federal army units from Oaxaca and neighboring [[Veracruz]], 150 additional prisoners were taken, effectively dissolving the COCEI government.<ref name="Mayor02" /> |
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With incoming [[President of Mexico]], [[Carlos Salinas de Gortari]], came a shift in dealing with opposition groups. In 1989, the ''convertación'' social project was launched. The project offered economic and political support for opposition groups in exchange for a cessation of [[militancy]], and a public acknowledgment of coexistence with the Salinas government.<ref name="Flores05" /> The COCEI accepted and from 1986 to 1989, the COCEI participated in a coalition city government alongside the ruling PRI party. In 1989 the COCEI again won the Juchitán municipal elections, ruling until 1992.<ref name="McCaughan98" /> |
With incoming [[President of Mexico]], [[Carlos Salinas de Gortari]], came a shift in dealing with opposition groups. In 1989, the ''convertación'' social project was launched. The project offered economic and political support for opposition groups in exchange for a cessation of [[militancy]], and a public acknowledgment of coexistence with the Salinas government.<ref name="Flores05" /> The COCEI accepted and from 1986 to 1989, the COCEI participated in a coalition city government alongside the ruling PRI party. In 1989 the COCEI again won the Juchitán municipal elections, ruling until 1992.<ref name="McCaughan98" /> |
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Revision as of 19:05, 16 May 2008
The Coalition of Workers, Peasants, and Students of the Isthmus (Spanish: Coalición Obrera, Campesina, Estudiantil del Istmo)[1] (COCEI) was a Mexican socialist party in Juchitan, Oaxaca. Founded in 1973/1974,[2][3] the party supported agrarian reform, and workers rights. In 1981 it won municipal elections, making it the first socialist city council in Mexico.[4]
Foundation
The COCEI was initially composed of indigenous Zapotec farmers and supported by portions of the local Juchitán society who were not in agreement with the government of the time. The COCEI was known for "organizing a discontented population" and linked to theories of democratic emergence and popular defense movements. Among the groups original goals, was securing changes to the electoral process in the Isthmus region, making them more transparent, seeking agrarian reform, and engaging in union movements for wage increases. The groups rapid expansion was noted as being due to its ability to diversify its goals and ideas and, through incorporating new sectors.[5] In 1976, the COCEI won the election for the Communal Lands Commission.[6]
Municipal elections
In 1981, the COCEI won the municipal election[2] and founded the Popular City Council with the goal of "rescuing Zapotec culture" and achieving urban development with autonomy. The Popular City Council, and the COCEI electoral win, constituted the first socialist city council in Mexico.[6][4] The COCEI made the focus of the election, the Zapotec people, advertising in their language, and promoting the indigenous culture.[3] The ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (Spanish: Partido Revolucionario Institucional) (PRI), feared that the COCEI demands would create a "state within a state" through their actions. The Oaxaca government began subordinating the Popular City Council, expropriating the functions of the city council to higher chambers of government. Rumors began to leak of the Popular City Council being linked to Guatemalan and Nicaraguan guerrilla fighters, a smear campaign began on TV, radio and news outlets, aldermans were murdered and the Federal army took up presence at the local city offices and municipal palace.[5]
The Popular City Council however continued on with their social programs, starting literacy campaigns in shanty towns, coordinating with the Independent University of Guerrero to found the preparatory school and the Popular Teacher Training College of the Isthmus, and to begin the Popular City Council Radio, which aired without the permission of the government.[5] Municipal officials repaired streets, built and refurbished local health centers, created a public library and rebuilt city hall.[7] On August 3, 1983, the ruling PRI government called an extraordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies, removing all municipal powers, officially removing recognition of the COCEI.[5][2][3][6]
In response on August 6, a referendum was called by approximately 30,000 people from Juchitán. The result of the referendum was to continue to maintain the Popular City Council through self funding, despite of the governments attempts to dissolve the COCEI's control. On December 13, Federal police officers and army soldiers evacuated the municipal palace, arresting 250 people. In response, thousands of people rallied at the city center, met by federal army units from Oaxaca and neighboring Veracruz, 150 additional prisoners were taken, effectively dissolving the COCEI government.[5]
With incoming President of Mexico, Carlos Salinas de Gortari, came a shift in dealing with opposition groups. In 1989, the convertación social project was launched. The project offered economic and political support for opposition groups in exchange for a cessation of militancy, and a public acknowledgment of coexistence with the Salinas government.[7] The COCEI accepted and from 1986 to 1989, the COCEI participated in a coalition city government alongside the ruling PRI party. In 1989 the COCEI again won the Juchitán municipal elections, ruling until 1992.[2]
References
- ^ Cook, Maria Lorena (2004). Organizing Dissent. Penn State Press. pp. 112, 113. ISBN 0271025905.
- ^ a b c d McCaughan, Edward J. (1998). Reinventing Revolution: The Renovation of Left Discourse in Cuba and Mexico. Westview Press. pp. 86, 87. ISBN 0813335477.
- ^ a b c Cull, Nicholas John (2003). Propaganda and Mass Persuasion: A Historical Encyclopedia, 1500 to the Present. ABC-CLIO. p. 249. ISBN 1576078205.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Debroise, Olivier. Mexican Suite: A History of Photography in Mexico. University of Texas Press. p. 149. ISBN 0292716117.
- ^ a b c d e Cal y Mayor, Aracely Burguete (February 1, 2002). Indigenous Autonomy in Mexico. IWGIA. pp. 117–124. ISBN 8790730194.
- ^ a b c Annino, Antonio (July 2007). Cycles of Conflict, Centuries of Change: Crisis, Reform, and Revolution in Mexico. Duke University Press. pp. 332, 333. ISBN 082234002X.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthor=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Flores, Arturo (2005). Local Democracy in Modern Mexico: A Study in Participatory Methods. Arena Books. p. 17. ISBN 0954316134.