Repression Continues Against the Okupa Che and Jorge “Yorch” Esquivel

Update on the case of anarchist prisoner Jorge “Yorch” Esquivel, member of the Okupa Che squat in Mexico City.

533 days since the criminal set up against the Okupa Che began.

For the second time, our compañero Jorge Esquivel was the one who received the blow. For 533 days, Yorch has been imprisoned in the Reclusorio Oriente of Mexico City, for crimes that have already been dismissed.

During this time, the authorities have done their best to lengthen the judicial process so as to attempt to fabricate sufficient evidence to sustain their farce. They have scratched their heads and put together a supposed “investigation” to be able to justify and legitimize their set up, false accusations, absent witnesses, and fabricated evidence. To this date, they haven’t been able to put together anything substantial. Just one accusation seems to be enough to justify the kidnapping of Yorch and his continued imprisonment.

It is evident that Yorch’s case is one of exemplary punishment, a tacit threat against those who self-organize independently and autonomously. Yorch was and is part of the Okupa Che squat that for the 24 years of its existence has been a pillar in the struggle for autonomous, independent, anarchist, and student organization. In spite of being located inside the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the reach of its existence far exceeds its location. The security forces of the UNAM know this, and so does the state. As a result, the Okupa Che exists beneath the permanent threat of eviction and harassment.

533 days since the set up and kidnapping of Yorch, state and judicial authorities continue to be complicit in this arbitrariness. It seems obvious that the construction of common enemies hasn’t worked. They will continue functioning through violence and the force of their laws, as they are unable to squash the horizontal organization that escapes from their hands. 533 days since this set up began, a long wait, and a long struggle in both the courts and the streets.

Today, May 24, 2024, the judicial authorities have called for a final sentence against Yorch. His support crew and legal team know that there is no legal basis for him to remain in prison. It has been demonstrated that the accusation of drug dealing is non-existent and the backpack that they planted on Yorch as evidence was never seen or touched by him. There is absolutely nothing to deny Yorch his freedom. And, however, as we are finishing writing this, we have received the news that the hearing was postponed. Further proof that the set-up continues.

Absolute and immediate freedom for Yorch!