Oaxaca’s popular movement began on June 14, 2006. One of its main characteristics was its ability to infiltrate the mass media, specifically radio, normally controlled by the government and the elite. We broke through their information monopoly, enabling us to mobilize thousands around the Peoples’ Popular Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO in its Spanish initials).

I was one of the people that sat in front of a microphone in University Radio (Radio Universidad). The government controlled radio station (Citizen Radio), which we liked to call Drainage Radio o Sewage Radio started calling me Dr. Shotgun. It’s a name that I then proudly assumed because I realized that, by speaking my own words, I was firing out ideas—not my ideas but rather those of the all of Oaxaca’s citizens and those not from Oaxaca but who participated in our movement.

In a way, there grew such a connection between the people and me that I gave up myself as an individual to become a part of them, allowing me to feel them inside of me. And I think that my brothers and sisters in Oaxaca feel as if I am within them as well. For that reason, I became dangerous—since we know that there is nothing more dangerous than speaking words that resonate within a people.

I feel lucky to have been in front of a microphone during the climax of our movement. During that time, not only were we calling for people to join in various actions—marches, blockades, sit-in’s, etc—but we were able to explain why we were taking such actions. We gave our people a voice: we made heard their complaints, denouncements, proposals, as well as their jokes, rallying calls and greetings to one another. We called for the assembly that gave birth to APPO, we explained the procedures for its formation and its objectives and we achieved this despite the presence of the Preventative Federal Police (PFP in its Spanish initials).

We also called out when it was time to go on the defensive. We called to defend the barricades and to defend the last widely-broadcasted people-controlled radio station: Radio Universidad. I think this is what most hurts the governor’s hit-men and they are never going to forgive me for it. And as you know, that fact has me so worried that I can’t sleep or eat or think straight.

This important media outlet was lost because of the savage repression against the people of Oaxaca—that came as much from the state level as it did from the feds. Those of us who were in front of the microphones (many of us radio rookies) understand Radio Universidad’s importance and we have taken on the enormous responsibility of trying to carry on its work. We are committed to continuing to making our movement understood by the rest of the world and to try through whatever media channels possible to keep open the lines of communication between all those of Oaxaca.

Therefore, we believe it necessary not only to transmit radio over the internet, but also to have our own webpage. Since everything in this world now has a cost, this project requires economic support. So we are here asking for solidarity from the citizens of the world (and from those who can’t exercise their rights as citizens…)

The webpage will permit us to hear the opinions and visions of the people of Oaxaca. But it will also allow us to interact with our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Though a webpage, we will be able to share experiences and extend our community to include all human beings who, like the people of Oaxaca, walk forward in search of a dream.