EyeWitness Report - Tegucigalpa - Informe en Vivo

El siguente es un informe y fotos por un compa de La Voz de los de Abajo y periodista de Producciones EN EL OJO Productions quien esta en Honduras haciendo trabajo de periodismo anti-golpistas.
The following is a report from a member of La Voz de los de Abajo and journalist from Producciones EN EL OJO Productions who is in Honduras now doing anti-golpe media work.

The English Follows below


Reporte de un testigo ocular Tegucigalpa - Miércoles, Agosto 12 2009

Represión brutal e Intimidación.

El gas lacrimógeno lo disparaban directamente contra las masas de manifestantes, balas de hule y trinches se usaron para dispersar a los miles de hondureños que habían marchado por la ciudad hacia el Congreso Nacional hoy para protestar en contra del golpe y exigir la restitución de el gobierno constitucional de Mel Zelaya.
Hubo muchos heridos y arrestos. Los soldados y la policía, fuertemente armados y con equipo completo de combate actuaron contra hombres, mujeres y niños desarmados de todas las edades. En un momento inolvidable, mire como fue atacado Marvin Ponce, congresista (Diputado) miembro del partido Unificación Democrática (UD) que esta contra el golpe, por al menos 12 policías que lo golpearon brutalmente. Marvin resulto seriamente herido y fue llevado a un hospital; otros testigos reportaron que en el hospital la policía continuaba golpeando y atormentando a Ponce, interrumpiendo su tratamiento medico.

Mientras la policía aumentaba su violenta asomada sobre el área me uní al resto de los manifestantes que huyeron del ares; tratando de evitar arresto o golpiza o algo peor. Llegue así a la Universidad Nacional Autónoma Francisco Morazán, la cual ha estado ocupada por varias semanas por los estudiantes como parte de la resistencia al golpe. La Universidad también ha sido un centro de organización y de alojamiento para la gente que llega de las áreas rurales para unirse al movimiento de protesta. Cuando llegue a la Universidad, la gente comenzaba a llegar del centro de la ciudad. Vi a uno de los lideres de la organización garifunas (OFRAHNI) quien me dijo que casi todos los compañeros de su organización fueron detenidos en la represión frente al Congreso.

De pronto un gran número de soldados bien armados llegaron y atacaron con gas lacrimógeno y balas de goma y toda fuerza para entrar a la universidad. Comenzaron a arrestar y a golpear a los estudiantes y lograron tomar control de cuando menos una gran parte de la universidad. Mientras el ataque continuaba, fui forzado a correr fuera del alcance de las tropas y logre escapar.
El día de hoy era el segundo día de movilizaciones masivas que comenzaron ayer. Miles de hondureños respondieron al llamado para aumentar la movilización andando hasta por 5 días desde los rincones rurales más lejanos de Honduras para llegar a alguna de las dos ciudades principales: Tegucigalpa o San Pedro Zula. Las protestas de ayer no fueron reprimidas pero hoy fue ya otra historia. Ha habido también mas ataques de tipo escuadrón de la muerte. Hoy hable con Rafael Alegría de Vía Campesina en Honduras quien me dijo que anoche (Agosto 11) después del primer día de movilizaciones, cerca de las 11:30 PM, el centro de Vía Campesina fue chorreado por balas disparadas por hombres que llegaron frente al centro en camionetas civiles. Nadie fue herido pero el mensaje era claro. Vía Campesina es otra organización que ofrece sus oficinas como centro de organización y albergue y Alegría fue detenido y luego liberado, ahora tiene otra amenaza de detención en su contra.

El gobierno de facto del golpe y su ejercito están aumentando la violencia una vez mas para tratar de terminar con el movimiento de resistencia del pueblo de Honduras que es el único verdadero obstáculo en su camino a realizar los planes de la oligarquía. El Frente Nacional de Resistencia en Contra del Golpe llamo a las movilizaciones para mañana comenzando a las 8 AM.

Todo mundo desde las organizaciones sociales hasta el pueblo en las calles que no pertenecen a ninguna organización, llaman a la solidaridad internacional para salir en su ayuda en cualquier forma posible. Han estado en lucha por más de 40 días y necesitan toda nuestra ayuda para continuar.
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ression and intimidation


(Translated from a telephone report filed at 9:35 pm Chicago time - translation by La Voz de los de Abajo).

Tear gas was fired directly into the crowds of protesters, rubber bullets and truncheons were used to disperse the thousands of Hondurans who had marched through the city to the National Congress today to protest against the coup and demand restitution of the constitutional government of Mel Zelaya.

There were many injuries and arrests - The soldiers and police, heavily armed and in full combat gear acting against unarmed men and women of all ages. In an unforgettable moment, I watched as a congressional Deputy from the anti-coup leftist party the Democratic Unification (UD), Marvin Ponce was attacked by at least 12 policemen and brutally beaten. He was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital; witnesses reported that at the hospital the police continued to beat and torment Ponce, interfering with his medical treatment.

As the police increased their violent sweep of the area I joined the rest of the protesters in fleeing the area; trying to avoid arrest or beatings or worse. I made my way to the Francisco Morazan National Autonomous University, which has been held by the students as part of the anti-coup resistance for weeks. The University has also been an organizing center and has provided shelter for people coming in from the rural areas to join in the protest movement. When I got to the University, people were trickling in from the downtown area. I saw one of the leaders from the Garifuna organization (OFRAHNI) who told me almost that a large number of compañeros from their organization were detained in the repression at the Congress.

Suddenly a large number of heavily armed soldiers arrived and attacked with tear gas, and rubber bullets forcing their way into university. They began arresting and beating the students and were able to seize control of at least a large part of the university. As the attack continued, I was forced to run from the troops and got away.

Today’s mobilizations were the second day of massive peaceful marches that began yesterday. Thousands of Hondurans responded to the call for increased mobilization by walking for as many as 5 days from the farthest corners of rural Honduras in order to get to one of the two major cities, Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Zula. Yesterday’s protests were not repressed but today was another story. There have also been increasing attacks of the death-squad type. Today, I spoke with Rafael Alegria from Via Campesina in Honduras who told me that last night (August 11th) after the day of mobilizations, at about 11:30 pm, the Via Campesina center was riddled with bullets fired by men who pulled up in front of the center in a civilian SUV. No one was injured, but the message is clear. Via Campesina is another organization that has offered its offices as an organizing center and shelter and Alegria has been detained and released and now has another threat of detention against him.

The defacto coup government and its military are increasing the violence again to try and do away with the resistance movement of the Honduran people who are the only real obstacle standing in the way of the oligarchy's plans. The National Front for Resistance Against the Coup has called for the mobilizations to continue tomorrow beginning at 8 am.

Everyone from the social organizations to the people in the streets who don’t belong to any organization, are calling for international solidarity to come to their aid in any way possible. They have been in the struggle for more than 40 days and need all of our help to continue.

International Day of Action Against the Coup - Chicago

La Voz de los de Abajo and other activists in Chicago joined in the International Day of Action Against the Coup on August 11th with a letter writing, emailing campaign to demand from President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Illinois congressional delegation that the US stop its de facto support for the de facto government of golpista Roberto Micheletti. More tha 100 letters were sent to President Obama (some paper copy and some electronic); and email messages to Clinton and the Congressional delegation. At the event on August 11th, videos about the history of Honduras and the struggle for social justice were shown and the evening ended with a call to Radio Globo in Honduras where we were able to send our solidarity shout out to the Honduras people and their resistence organization live on the air.

Martes 11 de Agosto ***Tuesday August 11th

Día Internacional de Acción En Contra el Golpe de Estado en Honduras
International Day of Action Against the Coup in Honduras –

The National Front of Resistance Against the Coup is calling for an international day of action on August 11. Join us in supporting the Honduran people.

El Frente Nacional de Resistencia En Contra el Golpe de Estado en Honduras llama por un día internacional de Acción en Contra el Golpe. Están invitados a participar con nosotros en un evento en apoyo al pueblo hondureño.

Tuesday – Martes
August 11 de Agosto
6:30-9pm
Decima Musa Restaurant 1901 South Loomis

What will we be doing?
Electronic Solidarity: write a letter and email it to President Obama and Members of
Congress insisting that the U.S. take political and economic action against the illegal coup government of Roberto Micheletti to restore the constitutional system and to end the escalating human rights violations.
Video Showings: watch videos that explain the recent history and the movements for social justice in Honduras.

Can’t make the event on August 11? You can still participate in the day of action. Go to hondurasresists.blogspot.com or lavozchicago.blogspot.com and send a letter to members of Congress and the President.

¿Que Vamos Hacer?
Solidaridad Electrónica: escribe una carta y mandarlo por el correo electrónica al Presidente Obama y el Congreso que insiste que los Estados Unidos toma acción político-económico en serio en contra el gobierno golpista de Roberto Micheletti para reinstituir el orden constitucional y poner alto a las violaciones de los derechos humanos que esta ocurriendo en Honduras.
Videos: Vamos a presentar videos que tratan la tema de la historia reciente de Honduras y sus movimientos por la justicia social.

¿No puede asistir al evento de 11 de Agosto? Todavía puedes participar en el día de acción:
Vaya a: hondurasresists.blogspot.com o lavozchicago.blogspot.com y manda una carta electrónica a los congresistas y el presidente.

Honduran Civil Society Tour In Chicago - Building the Common Struggle -!Todos Somos Honduras!
The August 7-8 visit to Chicago of compas from the anti-golpe resistence in Honduras brought the truth about the situation to a variety of communities and to activists. The members of the delegation, who came to the US and spoke publically at great risk to their own safety, were able to speak with day-laborer organizations, students, immigrant rights organizations, religious leaders, solidarity activists, and community organizers from the diverse communities of Chicago. They were interviewed by local radio stations and journalists from the independent and alternative media in the city. The delegation, accompanied by local activists also visited the offices of Senators Durbin and Burris, who represent Illinois in the US Senate to follow up on previous visits and insist once again that the US government must stop its support for the golpista government and break all relations, stop all aid, and speak out against the human rights violations that are ongoing.

Honduran Civil Society Leaders Visit Chicago and other US Cities with U.S. based immigrant leaders to advocate for the restoration of the constitutional government and an end to the escalating human rights violations.

In Chicago
Friday, August 7th: 6:30 - 9:30pm
Depaul University
Schmidt Academic Center (2320 N. Kenmore Avenue)
Room 154
(translation will be provided)

Saturday, August 8th: 7:00pm-10pm
Casa Michoacan
1638 South Blue Island Ave (Pilsen)

There will be a press conference on Friday, 10:30-11:30 am at Casa Michoacan.
Biographical information for the delegation follows:
One month after the interruption of constitutional order in Honduras through a military coup d’état and in the wake of widespread reports of human rights violations harkening back to events of the 1980s, the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC) is bringing a delegation of civil society representatives from that country to the U.S. to participate in a speaking tour and to advocate for the restoration of constitutional order and respect for human rights. U.S. based Latino immigrant leaders will also join this delegation. The tour began in Washington D.C. with visits to Congressional offices and will be followed by press and speaking events in various U.S. cities, including New York, Boston, and, on August 7-8, Chicago.

The delegation from Honduras consists of well known leaders from non-governmental, human rights and community organizations.

Abencio Fernández Pineda is the coordinator of the non-governmental organization Center for the Investigation and Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CIPRODEH, by its Spanish initials) for the western region of Honduras. Mr. Pineda was previously an attorney for the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CODEH) and the Committee of the Relatives of Disappeared Detainees of Honduras (COFADEH).

Maria Luisa Jimenez, a former police officer in Honduras, denounced the widespread corruption in the police force and is now an activist for transparency in government and women's rights. She is currently a candidate for Honduran Congress with the Democratic Union party (UD).

Dr. Luther Castillo is a young Garifuna medical doctor and community organizer who directs the Luaga Hatuadi Waduheñu Foundation ("For the Health of our People" in Garifuna), dedicated to bringing vital health services to isolated indigenous coastal communities. After his 2005 graduation from the Latin American Medical School in Havana, Dr. Castillo returned to the Honduran coast, where he led the Foundation's construction of Honduras' first Garifuna Rural Hospital, now serving some 20,000 in the surrounding communities. The hospital opened in December 2007, a few months after Dr. Castillo was named "Honduran Doctor of the Year" by Rotary International's Tegucigalpa chapter.

Gerardo Torres is an independent journalist in Honduras who is also an active member of Los Necios, a grass-roots organization that seeks to change the dominant socio-economic dynamics of Honduras.

For more information or to schedule an event or interview.

Contact: lavozchicago@yahoo.com

August 1 - Interview with CNTC leader in Colon

La Voz de los de Abajo Telephone Interview with the CNTC - Saturday, August 1

La Voz spoke with Obdulio Suazo, past Secretary General of the CNTC, and a leader in Movimiento Camepsino de Aguan (MCA) at the Guadalupe Carney community in Colon on the Atlantic Coast of Honduras. Obdulio spoke to us from Colon and said that the army has continued to pull back from its encirclement of the community and at this time they don’t feel like there is an immediate threat of repression. He reported that the week before, the army temporarily seized the national office of the CNTC m Tegucigalpa; 10 heavily armed soldiers questioned CNTC leadership and staff for over 2 hours in an attempt to intimidate the organization. This kind of repression hasn’t been seen since the 1980’s. Obdulio stated that the countryside remains militarized but the campesino organizations are also continuing to block highways in protest of the coup and to participate in the protests in the cities. In the border region with Nicaragua and in Tegucigalpa the repression is especially bad and the military has moved troops to the area near where Zelaya is encamped. He said that over the weekend 2 more bodies of Zelya supporters were found in El Paraiso, after being disappeared by the army. Anti-coup protests in Tegucigalpa have been attacked by the army and national police, hundreds were detained and one teacher was shot by the military on July 30 and died on August 1.

The Campesino Movement Speaks - Interview with the CNTC

July 21, 2009
The Campesino Movement Speaks

Phone interview with Agostin Ramos, Secretary General of the CNTC (Central Nacional de los Trabajadores del Campo) by Alexy Lanza from La Voz de los de Abajo. The CNTC is a national campesino organization, founded in 1985, with affiliates in 14 of the 18 departments/ provinces in Honduras. It is a member of the Bloque Popular, the Coordinadora Nacional de Resistencia and the National Front Against the Golpe.

Update on the situation in the Trujillo, and threats against the MCA( Movimiento Campesino de Aguan) at Guadalupe Carney. Ramos reported that the army and police have pulled back after their aggression last week created fears of an imminent massacre. The campesinos from Guadalupe Carney have been able to maintain their takeover of the highway to the city of Trujillo which passes in front of the community. The community’s radio, Radio Orquidia, has been able to keep broadcasting despite the threats against the community.

In La Paz, Radio Realidad, the community radio of the CNTC has temporarily stopped broadcasting because of concern for the equipment and the center that houses the radio in the face of the ongoing repression and threats.

In Tegucigalpa, campesino organizations continue to occupy the National Agrarian Institute (INA). The campesinos seized the INA after the de facto government of Micheletti replaced the director of the governmental institute with a pro-golpe de facto director.

The de facto government has frozen the bank accounts of the CNTC and other opposition organizations. Ramos explained that this is a very serious problem for the campesino organizations that have so few resources to begin with and rely on small grants and international donations for some of their budget.

Ramos said that all across the country campesino organizations and communities are maintaining their blockades of the highways in the rural area. In the cities the mobilizations are continuing and the movement is planning for different scenarios after the 72-hour waiting period requested by President Arias after the failure of the negotiations in Costa Rica.

Ramos declared that the campesino movement in Honduras joins with the rest of the movement against the golpe in asking that international supporters pressure the Organization of American States, and the United States government to take tougher action against the golpista government of Micheletti, including a full economic embargo and a breaking of all relations.