Thousands march in Honduras today

Today, January 27^th, marks the one year anniversary of the Lobo government which came to power through elections conducted by the defacto government responsible for the June 2009 coup detat and widely considered to be illegitimate. It also marks the one year anniversary of the forced exile of President Manuel Zelaya.

These anniversaries take place in a context of unreleneting political and human rights crisis in Honduras. The non-violent resistance movement has called for civil protests throughout the country in opposition to the “government that continues the coup.” Since early this week, peasants and teachers have been blocking roads and mobilizing to peacefully protest government policies that negatively impact these sectors. The human rights community in Honduras has requested international attention to be focused on Honduras at this time.

Also today came an announcement that General Rene Osorio has been named the new head of the Armed Forces of Honduras; General Osorio is a graduate of the School of the Americas and is reported to have involved in directing the June 2009 coup d’état.

A broad coalition of Hondurans (teachers, unions, GLBT community, Human rights defenders, young people, ordinary folks, etc.) participated in today's march and demonstration organized by the Frente National de Resistencia Popular (FNRP), the main organizing force against the coup d'etat and the repression that continues.

Yesterday, a demonstration in the capital was attacked by military and people were arrested, so organizers were expecting the same. Today's march was peaceful and the military did not attack as thousands marched to the steps of the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice, a Court which has supported the coup and repressive measures since.

from http://friendshipamericas.org/honduras