This past August 31, the Assembly of Free and Community Radios of Oaxaca came to a close in the village of Zaachila, Oaxaca- Zapotec territory, as the federal government was embarking on a nation-wide escalation of repression against free and community radios, whose transmissions are an expression of their constitutional and basic human rights.

We come together in these Zaptoca lands from many places and communities-women, and mostly young people, but also elders- representing our community radios to speak our free words in Assembly, with the purpose of reflecting upon and analyzing our task of community-based communication, in opposition to a Mexican State that denies free access to the radio-electronic spectrum, which impedes the exercise of our right to information, communication, and freedom of expression, fundamental collective communication rights of our peoples, and thus does not correspond to the reality of our communities.

Upon the close of the Assembly, a declaration was released that was made up of 5 parts: an introduction, “We affirm that,” “We demand of the Mexican state,” “We propose to Mexican society in general,” “We resolve that.” The declaration ends with a list of radios, organizations, and collectives that attended the Assembly. Among the conclusions the following was decided: “Constitute ourselves as the Permanent Assembly of Free and Community Radios of Oaxaca,” “The naming of a Provisional Commission that will follow up on and carry out the agreements coming out of this assembly,” “Supporting the organization of and our participation in the Second National Congress of Indigenous Communication.”  

Together, respecting our diversity, we will continue to strengthen ourselves in the defense, resistance, and construction of our communication projects. We are not going to stop. Our words will continue to walk, our voices will continue on the air. We will be on the alert for any kind of aggression, collectively creating mechanisms to protect and defend ourselves. An attack against one is an attack against all.

LONG LIVE THE ASSEMBLY OF FREE AND COMMUNITY RADIOS OF OAXACA!