Hunger strike demands Garcia's release
1989Hayden Perry 1989-06Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 14 →
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and economic practices that are in serious need of reform.
"Extreme discrepancies in wealth distribution, deficit spending, environmental abuse, spiritual despair, a military-industrial complex, and the alienation of the individual in the democratic process are situations that only scratch the surface of what we feel to be a problem of immense proportion.
"Our club wishes to open a dialogue, both among ourselves and within the general community, concerning the problems of our society and the possible remedies to the problems. Our intent is not to overwhelm people with what is going wrong today, but more to suggest a vision of the future that Four leading members of the Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexican section of the Fourth International, have staged a hunger strike since May 10 in front of the National Cathedral in downtown Mexico City. They are demanding the release of Jose Ramon Garcia, a leading PRT member who "disappeared" Dec. 16, 1988.
There is evidence that Garcia is still alive and in the hands of the government. For five months, mass marches and rallies in Mexicoand thousands of telegrams from supporters internationally-have been demanding that the government release Garcia, but they have been ignored.
To exert pressure in a more dramatic way, four PRT leadersManuel Aguilar Mora, Edgard Sanchez, Leslie Serna, and Simon Castillejos-are on hunger strike. They have been joined by Carlos Piedra, son of the 1988 PRT presidential candidate Rosario Ibarra.
The hunger strikers are also demanding the release of PRT member Eladio Torres Flores, and Amanda Arciniega—a member of the Liga Comunista 23 Septiembre (LC-23). Both have been imprisoned for close to 10 years.
On two occasions this year, the government has issued an amnesty for political prisoners. But according to Rosario Ibarra's Eureka Committee, which has closely monitored the lists of those being released from jail, the government has only freed common criminal prisoners from public jails. The hunger strikers are protesting this fraud perpetrated on the Mexican people.
In New York, on May 17, a sixmember delegation of the Ad-hoc Committee for the Reappearance of Jose Ramon Garcia was received by a representative of the Mexican consul. The delegation submitted a letter demanding Garcia's safe return.
Letters of protest should be sent to President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Palacio Nacional, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Please send copies to the National Front Against Repression, Medellin 366, Col. Roma Sur, 06760 Mexico, D.F., Mexico.