Source Movimiento Magisterial Valle de Toluca

PUBLIC STATEMENT

Today, Mexican teachers are once again appalled by the unfortunate murder that occurred on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at night against fellow teacher, brother, fighter tireless, father of a family: Baltazar Andretti, founder of the OPUS camp, in the municipality of Chapa de Mota in the state of Mexico, where he had organised numerous activities with children and adults in the wooded areas near his home.

He was totally committed to the cause of social justice and human rights. He was an active participant in all the community and political projects in the region. He campaigned against illegal logging that was destroying the environment and with colleagues, encouraged working class people to demand their rights. At all times he supported his teaching colleagues in their struggle against the policy of so called educational reform.

A few days ago he totally defended a colleague of the state system against harassment because of her refusal to take part in the evaluation system. He had also made a notable participation to the last congress of the CNTE as delegate of the Section 17 of the Toluca Valley where he had presented a paper on “The importance of art in the teaching process”.

On Sunday night he was cowardly murdered on the grounds of his home in the OPUS camp. According to the doctor who treated him he died from a single shot.

An activist within the Toluca Valley teachers’ movement, he was a comrade, a companion who always fought for justice in support of the most disadvantaged. He was a worthy companion with convictions, a companion who clearly embodied the role of the true teacher – of the people – for the people.

For this reason the Magisterial Movement of the Toluca Valley:
 calls on the municipal, state and federal authorities to carry out a swift and effective investigation which punishes those responsible for the murder of fellow Baltazar Andretti.

 Stop the harassment of social fighters.
May this atrocious event not go unpunished.
Rest in peace, fellow Baltazar Andretti.