La Marchas De L@s Maestr@s

When we first arrived in Oaxaca the downtown central plaza, the Zocalo, was a tarp city where thousands of teachers from all around Oaxaca were taking turns sleeping. This teachers movement, in which they are struggling for better wages and conditions for the schools in the state of Oaxaca has been active for 26 years. Every year in the beginning of June the Zocalo is overtaken in this way, and it all culminates with a huge march. Two years ago, on June 14, the teachers were teargased in an effort by the police to clamp down on the movement. Violence erupted that year, and several people were killed. This year the march was held again on the 14, in commemoration of June 14, 2006. Although this year was very calm in comparison, the tension is still present in those who were involved.