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Mexico teachers clash with police in Zocalo Square Mexico teachers clash with police in Zocalo Square
(35 minutes later)
Clashes have erupted in Mexico City as police started clearing a major square which was being occupied by striking teachers. Police in Mexico City have clashed with protesters during an operation to clear a square occupied by striking teachers.
Hundreds of police, backed up by tanks and helicopters, had surrounded the protesters and set a deadline. Riot police, backed up by tanks and helicopters, broke through the barricades set up by the teachers shortly after a deadline for them to disperse passed.
Shortly after 16:00 local time (21:00GMT), officers broke through the barricades set by the teachers. Some demonstrators responded with petrol bombs.
The authorities said they wanted to clear Zocalo Square for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. The teachers have been demanding changes to education reforms approved by President Enrique Pena Nieto.
The teachers are demanding changes in the education reforms approved earlier this week by President Enrique Pena Nieto, and follow months of demonstrations against the plans. The authorities said they wanted to clear Zocalo Square for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations.
The main teachers' union says the reforms violate its members' rights. Performance-related tests are among the changes being introduced. Most of the protesters left peacefully by Friday's deadline. But police used water cannons and tear gas against missile-throwing protesters on the square and in nearby streets.
The changes introduced by the government include performance-related tests for teachers.
Critics accuse Mexico's teachers' unions of being corrupt and having too much control over job allocation.
Last week, thousands of its members protested outside the Senate in an attempt to disrupt the passing of the bill, which had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
The government has argued that union control over teaching jobs has contributed to corruption, which has seen poorly trained teachers promoted over more qualified colleagues.