A protest was held outside the Tucson Mexican Consulate yesterday against the escalation of violence that has been taking place in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Brad Will, an American journalist working for the Global Indymedia Network, was killed last Friday while filming protests in Oaxaca.

“”We are here supporting the people of Oaxaca,”” said Geoff White, an electrical and computer engineering senior. “”I heard about the protest on Friday night when the Indymedia person was killed by un-uniformed officers. We’ve been following it ever since.””

White, with the Students for a Democratic Society, said he and his group were one of many organizations at the protest, which included those vying for border reforms and human rights.

“”Right now we’re working with all the other groups,”” White said. “”We’re in solidarity with them and supporting everyone else who has died.””

The Tucson Coalition for Justice in Oaxaca has urged the community to respond to the attacks on Will and others and appeal to the government of Mexico to “”end its assault on the people of Oaxaca,”” according to a coalition press release.

Coalition members will eventually visit Arizona’s Rep. Raul Grijalva and Sen. John McCain in an effort to gain their support in diplomatic intervention.

In attendance to witness the protest were consulate members, including Julio Meza.

“”We disagree with any kind of violence and anyone who breaks the law in Mexico,”” Meza said. “”We are here today to hear about the protest and to send a letter from protesters to the Mexican government.””

Juan Calderon, the Mexican consul in Tucson, said that he and Meza cannot do much more than watch the protest and relay the information given to them by protest organizers to the government of Mexico.

Alma Maldonado, an event organizer with the School of Education, said although the protest is in response to last week’s killing, Will is not the only sufferer at the hands of Mexican para-military.

“”Finally, the people of Oaxaca decided to take the city, and the military has since attempted to take it back,”” Maldonado said. “”There are two dead at least, and one of these is a child.””

Maldonado also said the Consulate cannot do much for the cause besides relay information in response to human rights transgressions that have been taking place, such as illegal abductions from the streets of Oaxaca.

“”This is not an isolated protest,”” Maldonado said. “”They are all over the world, and they have been organized very quickly.””

Gabriel Matthew, an undeclared sophomore with Days Beyond Recall literary journal, said he and his group is impressed with the response they have received as a result of the event.

“”I am looking forward to the issue building and seeing where everyone takes it,”” said Matthew.