NYBMA (http://www.nybma.com/) is reporting a former Messenger Brad Will, was shot and killed reporting on the ongoing unrest in Oaxaca, Mexico, working as a reporter for the IndyMedia News. 60 people rode bikes in N.Y. yesterday, to draw attention to Brad getting murdered in Oaxaca. Many of the people I work with here in L.A. are from Oaxaca. This unrest has been going on since May. I picked up on it, Aug.
1st, when women took over the T.V. and radio station, with sheer numbers (critical mass) with pots and pans. I couldn't believe the lack of reporting of this story in the U.S., instead the main news media chose to talk endlessly about some child molester. Instead, our government chose to put up a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Hmmm, the seeds of a revolution, and the American news stations are all but ignoring it. Thank you Brad Will, I will never forget.

What this has to do with messengers. Being a messenger may have set his seeds to what he died doing. I told all the folks I work with from Oaxaca, about Brad, and him being a former messenger, and what he died doing.

Thank you Brad,
PaulE

From Bike Blog (complete writing and photographs here)

Brad Will, was killed in Oaxaca Mexico on Friday by paramilitaries who did not want him reporting on the killing and brutalization of the local residents who have been staging a 5 month occupation of their city. Brad is a friend of mine. He was a tireless activist, journalist and environmentalist. I have been on many front lines with Brad staring down the barrel of over-reaction and militarization of the police force who are used by the corporation as security gaurds to enforce their plunder of the planet. Brad was there to say no and stand-up for equality, but he was also there as a journalist, reporting on the stories that aren't meant to be heard. Brad took it to the highest level. He helped set up independent media centers in Latin America, he traveled the world, he kept his camera rolling on the truth and eventually it took his life.
He died doing what he loved. We always talked about tactics, cameras and about..."getting that shot." Brad was also a hard working local activist, working on the grass roots issues of our community. He was a cyclist and was passionate about riding. I will miss you brother. Thanks for all you have done for us and your never ending love for the people. You will be greatly missed.

- Michael Green

Indymedia.org - remembrances and further links, including video coverage
Anarchist News coverage