From Mexico:

"SOLIDARITY NEEDED FOR MEXICAN ANIMAL LIBERATION ACTIVISTS

Thirteen activists arrested during an anti-bullfighting protest in Mexico City in February 2009 need help with their legal costs.

On Thursday 5 February at around 3.30pm thirteen comrades were arrested in an annual anti-bullfighting protest in Mexico City. During the protest there was a confrontation with the police and some vehicles were damaged [see  http://www.directaction.info/news_feb07_09.htm].

Among those arrested were young anti-authoritarians, punks, and students.

The names we have at the moment are:

Emmanuel Miranda
Mario Antonio Lopez
Vilchis Gonzales
Juan Carlos Palafox
Jair Parras
Ulises Pazaran Vargas
Diego Tellez
Calos Quintana Torrecilla
Israel Canek Perez
Juan Antonio Villa
Adrian Caballero Morales

Juan Carlos Palafox has the heaviest charges as another of the arrestees denounced him as the "ringleader" in order to get their charges dropped.

It appears that all those arrested have now been released on bail. However bail costs varied and most of the arrestees had to organise loans, which now need to be paid back.

For example: Four of the arrestees had to borrow a total of 53,000 pesos (approx $6,640 NZD) to cover their bail costs and now need help to repay this.

Meanwhile another arrestee owes 700 pesos (about $100 NZD) that he borrowed to pay his bail.

Many of the charges have since been dropped but there is the possiblity that new charges may now be laid. Those arrested are still awaiting trial so also have legal fees to pay and possible fines if convicted.

I hope to have more information to hand soon. I don't have an official contact email for this group of people but emails sent to  rechazo_autonomo@riseup.net should be passed on to the right people. Any emails to this address should ideally be in spanish, however the person checking the mail does also speak some english.

IN SOLIDARITY WITH FREEDOM FIGHTERS EVERYWHERE!"