Oaxaca: Cancellation of construction of CCCO on the Fortín Mountain

Francisco Toledo, opponent to CCCO on the Fortín Mountain, exhibiting a protest banner Photo: @Óscar Rodríguez

On 21 October, the governor of Oaxaca, Gabino Cué, announced the relocation of the construction project of the Cultural and Convention Center of Oaxaca (CCCO), which will no longer be built on the Fortín Mountain. According to an official communique, this decision was made to “guarantee the unity of Oaxacan society,” though the construction that has already begun for a parking complex to hold 600 vehicles will nonetheless continue.

It bears mentioning that by means of marches, fora, and expositions, there has been a large movement against this project, which was presented behind closed doors by the local Minister of Tourism, José Zorrilla de San Martín Diego, who was supposed to benefit by being a shareholder in a hotel close to the Fortín Mountain. Similarly, there was strong opposition condemning the harassment and attacks against people linked to the opposition of the building. It also should be noted that a public consultation was organized, which saw more than 96% of votes in favor of construction, though there are accusations that this process was manipulated.

In a communique, members of the Front in Defense of the Fortín Mountain observed that, though it took a while, the decision “is a triumph for organized civil society, and the Front can do no less than welcome the news.” In the same document, they demanded the cancellation of the parking lot project, the realization of an investigation into the process of construction, the immediate suspension of the campaign of harassment against activists, punishment of violence and threats and, lastly, the resolution of the legal demands that have been submitted and that they do not plan to cancel.

For more information (in Spanish):

Reubicación del CCCO; una decisión tardía de Cué: Defensores del Fortín (Uno Oaxaca, 22 de octubre de 2015)

Ganó Oaxaca: Cué cancela construcción del CCCO en el Cerro del Fortín (Educa, 22 de octubre de 2015)

La construcción del CCCO en el Fortín queda suspendida (La Jornada, 22 de octubre de 2015)

Toledo celebra “a medias” cancelación de construcción en el Fortín (Proceso, 22 de octubre de 2015)

Consulta favorece construcción de Centro de Convenciones de Oaxaca: Cué; Toledo acusa manipulación (Sin Embargo, 4 de octubre de 2015)

Gobierno de #Oaxaca pretende desaparecer el Cerro del Fortín (Más de 131, 8 de julio de 2015)