Follwing the conclusion of its "constitutive congress," the Popular People's Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO) announced through its spokesman Flavio Sosa Villavicencio its intention to convert "the popular revolt into a peaceful, democratic and humanist revolution," on the model of the indigenous communities of Chiapas. (APRO, Nov. 15)

Six years after it was first introduced, a bill allowing same sex civil unions in Mexico's Federal District (DF, Mexico City) was approved by the Federal District Legislative Assembly (ALDF) by a vote of 43 to 17, with five abstentions. Thirty-three deputies from the center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) voted for the measure, and one abstained, while 16 of the 17 deputies from the center-right National Action Party (PAN) voted against it; most deputies from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and smaller parties abstained or backed the law. Human rights and lesbian-gay rights groups had repeatedly criticized the PRD, which has ruled the DF since 1997, for failing to get the law passed.

From El Universal, Nov. 14 (our translation, links added):

OCOSINGO, Chiapas -- The organization Maderas del Pueblo [Timber for the People], which has a presence in the Selva Lacandona, confirmed that up to nine campesinos were assassinated in the comunity of Viejo Velasco.

From AP, Nov. 12 (links added):

OAXACA, Mexico -- Four youths wearing masks tossed gasoline bombs at a McDonald's restaurant in the conflict-torn city of Oaxaca on Sunday, damaging the windows, seats and play area, police said.

From El Universal, Nov. 10 via Chiapas95:

One of the most horrific crimes in recent Mexico City history - the 2004 beating and burning to death of two federal police officers by a mob of residents in the Tlahuac district - may have been planned by the People's Revolutionary Army guerrilla group, the top Federal District law enforcement official said Thursday.

From El Universal, Nov. 12 via Chiapas95:

As APPO deliberates, Ruiz to alter Cabinet
The Oaxaca People's Assembly (APPO) resumed their organizational congress on Saturday in Oaxaca City, while the state's embattled governor announced the beginning of a massive Cabinet overhaul in hopes of preserving his job.

From the Associated Press, Nov. 9:

Wanted Mexican leftist says Oaxaca rebellion will spread
OAXACA, Mexico — Flavio Sosa is remarkably relaxed for a wanted man.

As the most visible leader of a leftist movement that has rattled the Vicente Fox administration, chased state police out of this southern Mexican city and challenged hundreds of federal troops — Sosa faces arrest warrants on riot and conspiracy charges.

Amnesty International has officially called upon the Mexican government to release the names of those detained by federal police in Oaxaca, and the charges they face. The arrested now number above 80. Many are being held incommunicado and there are growing reports of human rights abuses. (El Universal, Nov. 7)