by Anne Fischel and John Regan

In Cananea, Mexico, a major struggle for workers’ rights and justice has been taking place for 6 months. Over 1300 copper miners, members of Section 65 of the Union of Mine, Metal and Allied Workers, are on strike against Grupo Mexico, the corporate giant who controls the Cananea mine. Since July, they have persistently asserted their rights to job safety and to worker and community health.

Sergio Tolano Lizarraga, Secretary General of the Cananea union section 65 (Photo by Anne Fischel and John Regan)

Barred entrance to the mine. (Photo by Anne Fischel andJohn Regan)

Olympia riot police arrive on the scene at the Port of Olympia main gate. Saturday morning, Nov. 10. (Photo by Anne Fischel)

Police douse main gate blockaders with pepper spray at close range over and over. Nov. 10, Port of Olympia. (Photo by Anne Fischel)

After dousing protesters with pepper spray, police use batons and brute force to remove them from the Port entrance. Nov. 10, Port of Olympia. (Photo by Anne Fischel)

Nov. 16. Local high school and community college students gather on the steps of the State Capitol during a student walk-out in protest of the war in Iraq. (Photo by Anne Fischel)

Blocking the side entrance to the Port of Olympia, Nov. 10. (Photo by Anne Fischel)