For immediate release: Oct. 8, 2014 

Pechthalt expresses ‘shock and anger’ in letter to Mexican Consul

On Sept. 26, teacher trainees from the teacher training college Escuela Normal participated in a protest opposing job discrimination against rural teachers. The protestors were fired on by police, some tortured. In addition to the six students, teachers and community members confirmed dead, 25 students have been hospitalized, 43 have disappeared, and a mass grave has been found outside of the city.

In response, the following letter was sent today by CFT president Joshua Pechthalt to Mexican Consul Carlos Sada in Los Angeles:

Mr. Sada,

As the President of the California Federation of Teachers, I want to express my shock and anger at the recent murder of students, teachers and community members by police in Guerrero, Mexico.

This atrocity makes a mockery of basic human rights, and the perpetrators must be held responsible. We urge the Mexican government to bring to justice those who perpetrated this barbaric action. The Mexican government must use every avenue available to ensure that the 43 missing students be returned alive to their homes and families. Further, as a member of the community of democratic nations, Mexico must redouble its efforts to stop the repression of teachers, students and the Mexican people who want a better life.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Joshua Pechthalt
President, California Federation of Teachers

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The California Federation of Teachers represents faculty and classified workers in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. For more information, www.cft.org.