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Demand for end to Mexico protest | Demand for end to Mexico protest |
(4 days later) | |
The Mexican government has demanded that protesters in the southern city of Oaxaca lift barricades and end their occupation of parts of the city. | The Mexican government has demanded that protesters in the southern city of Oaxaca lift barricades and end their occupation of parts of the city. |
The demand came as hundreds of federal police sent by President Vicente Fox were seen arriving in the city. | The demand came as hundreds of federal police sent by President Vicente Fox were seen arriving in the city. |
Three people including a US journalist died in clashes between masked gunmen and leftist protesters on Friday. | Three people including a US journalist died in clashes between masked gunmen and leftist protesters on Friday. |
The demonstrators are seeking to oust Governor Ulises Ruiz, whom they accuse of abuse of power. | The demonstrators are seeking to oust Governor Ulises Ruiz, whom they accuse of abuse of power. |
At least six people have been killed since the unrest began in May when striking teachers and left-wing groups occupied the town centre. | At least six people have been killed since the unrest began in May when striking teachers and left-wing groups occupied the town centre. |
Forced to intervene | Forced to intervene |
An interior ministry statement called for "the immediate handover of the streets, plazas, public buildings and private property". | An interior ministry statement called for "the immediate handover of the streets, plazas, public buildings and private property". |
Earlier Mr Fox ordered federal police to go to Oaxaca during Saturday. It was not clear exactly how many were being sent. | Earlier Mr Fox ordered federal police to go to Oaxaca during Saturday. It was not clear exactly how many were being sent. |
The president had resisted sending forces to the region for five months, for fear of involving them in the violent confrontations. | The president had resisted sending forces to the region for five months, for fear of involving them in the violent confrontations. |
In pictures: Oaxaca clashes | In pictures: Oaxaca clashes |
But the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Mexico City says the latest violence appears to have left him little choice but to intervene. | But the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Mexico City says the latest violence appears to have left him little choice but to intervene. |
Gunfire erupted on Friday apparently after armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters. | Gunfire erupted on Friday apparently after armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters. |
A series of prolonged shoot-outs followed but it was not clear who fired first. | A series of prolonged shoot-outs followed but it was not clear who fired first. |
The Oaxaca People's Popular Assembly, which is leading the protests, accused off-duty local policemen of carrying out the shootings. | The Oaxaca People's Popular Assembly, which is leading the protests, accused off-duty local policemen of carrying out the shootings. |
The dead journalist has been named as Will Bradley Roland, a cameraman working with the independent news group Indymedia. | The dead journalist has been named as Will Bradley Roland, a cameraman working with the independent news group Indymedia. |
President's vow | President's vow |
Thousands of schools have been closed since the strike began in May, leaving 1.3 million children out of school. | Thousands of schools have been closed since the strike began in May, leaving 1.3 million children out of school. |
The teachers staged the walk-out, demanding higher pay and better working conditions. | The teachers staged the walk-out, demanding higher pay and better working conditions. |
After police attacked one of their demonstrations in June, they extended their demands to include a call for the resignation of Gov Ruiz. The teachers were joined in their protest by left-wing groups. | After police attacked one of their demonstrations in June, they extended their demands to include a call for the resignation of Gov Ruiz. The teachers were joined in their protest by left-wing groups. |
This week, striking teachers voted to return to classes but many protesters say they will not back down until Gov Ruiz is removed from office. | This week, striking teachers voted to return to classes but many protesters say they will not back down until Gov Ruiz is removed from office. |
Critics accuse him of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourism from the city and hurt business. | Critics accuse him of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourism from the city and hurt business. |
Last week, Mexico's Senate decided by a 74-31 vote that the state government had not ceased to function, a condition necessary to remove a governor from office. | Last week, Mexico's Senate decided by a 74-31 vote that the state government had not ceased to function, a condition necessary to remove a governor from office. |
But the Senate recognised that conditions of "ungovernability" existed in the state and criticised Mr Ruiz for failing to bring months of violent protests to an end. | But the Senate recognised that conditions of "ungovernability" existed in the state and criticised Mr Ruiz for failing to bring months of violent protests to an end. |
President Vicente Fox has vowed to end the conflict before he leaves office on 1 December but negotiations to find a peaceful way out have so far failed. | President Vicente Fox has vowed to end the conflict before he leaves office on 1 December but negotiations to find a peaceful way out have so far failed. |