This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7649843.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mexicans march over 1968 killings | Mexicans march over 1968 killings |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thousands of people in Mexico City have paid tribute to those who died when security forces opened fire on a student demonstration 40 years ago. | Thousands of people in Mexico City have paid tribute to those who died when security forces opened fire on a student demonstration 40 years ago. |
The killings took place a few days before the Mexican capital hosted the 1968 Olympic Games. | The killings took place a few days before the Mexican capital hosted the 1968 Olympic Games. |
The number of deaths in the incident is still disputed and no one has ever been jailed for involvement. | The number of deaths in the incident is still disputed and no one has ever been jailed for involvement. |
There were scuffles between police and demonstrators at the anniversary march, and about 20 people were arrested. | There were scuffles between police and demonstrators at the anniversary march, and about 20 people were arrested. |
The government of the time said about 30 people died, but human rights groups and foreign journalists say about 300 were killed. | The government of the time said about 30 people died, but human rights groups and foreign journalists say about 300 were killed. |
In the past decade, the Mexican authorities have set up several investigations into the deaths, but nobody has been jailed. | In the past decade, the Mexican authorities have set up several investigations into the deaths, but nobody has been jailed. |
One protestor, Araceli Bernal, said she was attending the demonstration to "denounce the most despicable act committed in Mexico". | |
TLATELOLCO TIMELINE 2 Oct 1968: Soldiers spray bullets on demonstrators, number killed unclear. Figures vary between 30 and 3001990s: After years of official silence, calls for investigations growFeb 1998: Legislative commission blames Luis Echeverria, then interior minister and later president. He says the army acted on orders of President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, who died in 19792002: Federal investigation ordered2007: Mr Echeverria's trial on genocide charges suspended due to lack of evidence2008: 40 years on, families of victims and disappeared still calling for justice, demanding to know who ordered the massacre and exactly how many died In pictures: Days of violence'Most terrifying night of my life' | TLATELOLCO TIMELINE 2 Oct 1968: Soldiers spray bullets on demonstrators, number killed unclear. Figures vary between 30 and 3001990s: After years of official silence, calls for investigations growFeb 1998: Legislative commission blames Luis Echeverria, then interior minister and later president. He says the army acted on orders of President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, who died in 19792002: Federal investigation ordered2007: Mr Echeverria's trial on genocide charges suspended due to lack of evidence2008: 40 years on, families of victims and disappeared still calling for justice, demanding to know who ordered the massacre and exactly how many died In pictures: Days of violence'Most terrifying night of my life' |
Speaking at the scene of the deaths, Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, said Mexican democracy was intact largely because of the people who died. | Speaking at the scene of the deaths, Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, said Mexican democracy was intact largely because of the people who died. |
He said Mexico had a duty to be grateful to them. | He said Mexico had a duty to be grateful to them. |
The mayor said he supported attempts to uncover the truth about the events, and to get the Mexican government to accept responsibility for what happened. | The mayor said he supported attempts to uncover the truth about the events, and to get the Mexican government to accept responsibility for what happened. |
The deaths in Tlatelolco Square took place during months of pro-democracy protests by students and workers in Mexico. | The deaths in Tlatelolco Square took place during months of pro-democracy protests by students and workers in Mexico. |
Security forces opened fire as thousands of people massed in the square. The government later said it had acted in accordance with the constitution to maintain order. | Security forces opened fire as thousands of people massed in the square. The government later said it had acted in accordance with the constitution to maintain order. |
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has called on President Felipe Calderon to punish those responsible for what it called a massacre. | |
It said his failure to confront the clamp-down on thousands of students and workers had left a deep scar on Mexican society. | It said his failure to confront the clamp-down on thousands of students and workers had left a deep scar on Mexican society. |
Previous version
1
Next version