Federal police pulled out of the central square of Mexico's conflict-ridden state of Oaxaca, ending a seven-week occupation that restored order but angered many residents.
The withdrawal Saturday was another sign that six months of protests and street violence that killed nine people, scared away tourists and shattered the historic southern city's economy is ending.
On Saturday, the officers in black body armor packed away tents and sleeping mats and began marching out of the square before dawn, leaving state and city police to keep order.
Lino Celaya, Oaxaca's secretary of citizen protection, said about 2,000 federal police will remain in a military base outside the city in case trouble flares up again.
The protesters, a broad front of leftists, trade unionists and Indian groups, had taken over the center of Oaxaca for five months until more than 4,000 federal police armed with water canons and helicopters drove them off in October and November.
Many residents complained the presence of armored police and equipment cast a dark shadow over the colonial square and was akin to a military occupation.
However, some business owners fear there could be more violence after the police leave.
"What are we going to do without them?" asked Juanita Fosado, owner of a clothing store. "The protesters will come back to burn our businesses."
Federal police clashed with protesters throughout November, arresting more than 200 and pushing them out of all their city bases. Protest leader Flavio Sosa was also arrested, taking the sting out of the movement to oust Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz.
Human rights groups have asked U.N. officials to intervene on behalf of the arrested protesters, alleging they have been tortured and sexually abused in prisons hundreds of miles (kilometers) away.
On Saturday, federal authorities released 42 of the prisoners because there was a lack of evidence against them, according to protest spokesman Jesus Lopez and a federal official who asked not be identified because she was not authorized to speak on the record.
Most of the nine victims of the Oaxaca violence were protesters shot by armed gangs. Activists accuse local police of being behind the killings, and protesters complain that President Felipe Calderon's administration has failed to bring them to justice.
Monday, January 8, 2007
December 12, 2006: Government-allied union ends 1 1/2-year takeover of dissident Oaxaca newspaper
A labor group allied with the government of the southern state of Oaxaca announced on Monday that it was ending a controversial, 1 1/2-year blockade of the offices of Noticias, a newspaper frequently critical of state authorities.
Press groups had criticized the blockade as an attempt to silence the newspaper, which opposed Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who has been hit by six months of protests by striking teachers and leftists seeking to oust him.
Officials of the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants, or CROC, began handing over the offices of Noticias to the newspaper's director, saying the "strike" was over. Picket lines were removed from the street outside the offices.
David Aguilar, a union representative, said the strike had achieved its goals and that the CROC "had acted within the framework of the law."
While the union technically represents the workers at Noticias, almost none of the paper's roughly 100 employees supported the strike, in which non-newspaper union activists erected a picket line around the offices and prevented employees from entering.
The strike was supposedly called for wage raises, but many saw it as political retaliation against the paper, which harshly criticized Ruiz, who has been accused of corruption, brutality and vote-fixing. The union has close ties to Ruiz's government.
On June 17, 2005, supporters of a union dominated by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI of which Ruiz is a member set up picket lines outside the Noticias. Some employees remained blockaded inside, but were eventually removed by police.
Seven months earlier, a gang of farmers had staged a violent takeover of a warehouse belonging to Noticias. The paper also accused the state government of being behind that attack, which officials described at the time as a land dispute.
Later, the PRI state government then tried to stop the paper from publishing from an alternative site.
Shortly after the strike started, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on Oaxaca officials to halt the blockade, which involved police confiscating copies of the newspaper and trying to block distribution.
"Your government has stated that this is a labor dispute, but the evidence does not support that claim," the committee said in an open letter. "This is an attempt to stifle coverage of state authorities."
Protesters began demanding Ruiz step down in late May, seizing much of Oaxaca city, the state capital. At least nine people were killed in the violence, mainly protesters, before federal police were sent into the city in October to regain control.
Press groups had criticized the blockade as an attempt to silence the newspaper, which opposed Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who has been hit by six months of protests by striking teachers and leftists seeking to oust him.
Officials of the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants, or CROC, began handing over the offices of Noticias to the newspaper's director, saying the "strike" was over. Picket lines were removed from the street outside the offices.
David Aguilar, a union representative, said the strike had achieved its goals and that the CROC "had acted within the framework of the law."
While the union technically represents the workers at Noticias, almost none of the paper's roughly 100 employees supported the strike, in which non-newspaper union activists erected a picket line around the offices and prevented employees from entering.
The strike was supposedly called for wage raises, but many saw it as political retaliation against the paper, which harshly criticized Ruiz, who has been accused of corruption, brutality and vote-fixing. The union has close ties to Ruiz's government.
On June 17, 2005, supporters of a union dominated by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI of which Ruiz is a member set up picket lines outside the Noticias. Some employees remained blockaded inside, but were eventually removed by police.
Seven months earlier, a gang of farmers had staged a violent takeover of a warehouse belonging to Noticias. The paper also accused the state government of being behind that attack, which officials described at the time as a land dispute.
Later, the PRI state government then tried to stop the paper from publishing from an alternative site.
Shortly after the strike started, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on Oaxaca officials to halt the blockade, which involved police confiscating copies of the newspaper and trying to block distribution.
"Your government has stated that this is a labor dispute, but the evidence does not support that claim," the committee said in an open letter. "This is an attempt to stifle coverage of state authorities."
Protesters began demanding Ruiz step down in late May, seizing much of Oaxaca city, the state capital. At least nine people were killed in the violence, mainly protesters, before federal police were sent into the city in October to regain control.
December 11, 2006: Mexico Leftist Leader Joins Oaxaca Protest
A leader of Mexico's largest leftist party led thousands of protesters in a march to the center of this historic city on Sunday, demanding the resignation of the state governor and the withdrawal of thousands of federal police.
Shouting "Freedom for political prisoners!" the demonstrators also called for the release of more than 200 people arrested in the six-month-long conflict in Oaxaca that has shattered the local economy and left at least nine dead.
Leonel Cota, president of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party or PRD, marched at the front of the demonstration alongside his party's lawmakers and Oaxacan protest leaders.
The protesters a broad front of leftists, students and Indian groups accuse Gov. Ulises Ruiz of rigging his election in 2004 and of sending armed thugs against his opponents.
They took over the center of Oaxaca for five months until thousands of federal police drove them off in clashes in October and November.
The PRD has become increasingly involved in the Oaxaca conflict after keeping its distance for months. Last week party leaders took up the cause of protest leader Flavio Sosa, who was arrested in Mexico City, calling him the first political prisoner of recently sworn-in President Felipe Calderon.
The PRD claims Calderon's victory over its candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in July was fraudulent and refuses to recognize him as president.
Most of the nine victims of the Oaxaca violence have been protesters who were shot by armed gangs, and activists blame local police for many of those killings.
Federal police raided the offices of the Oaxaca state police on Friday, and seized their guns to determine whether any were used in shootings of demonstrators.
The conflict has shattered the tourist industry in the city, which is famous for its colonial architecture and spicy cuisine. Although police have regained control of the city center, most foreign visitors continue to stay away.
Human rights groups have asked U.N. officials to intervene on behalf of the Oaxaca prisoners, alleging they have been tortured, sexually abused and taken to prisons thousands of miles away.
On Sunday, Ruiz announced that he had signed an agreement for more than 100 prisoners to be transferred from penitentiaries in the north of Mexico to installations close to their families in Oaxaca.
Meanwhile, about 200 demonstrators marched through Mexico City in solidarity with the Oaxaca march.
Shouting "Freedom for political prisoners!" the demonstrators also called for the release of more than 200 people arrested in the six-month-long conflict in Oaxaca that has shattered the local economy and left at least nine dead.
Leonel Cota, president of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party or PRD, marched at the front of the demonstration alongside his party's lawmakers and Oaxacan protest leaders.
The protesters a broad front of leftists, students and Indian groups accuse Gov. Ulises Ruiz of rigging his election in 2004 and of sending armed thugs against his opponents.
They took over the center of Oaxaca for five months until thousands of federal police drove them off in clashes in October and November.
The PRD has become increasingly involved in the Oaxaca conflict after keeping its distance for months. Last week party leaders took up the cause of protest leader Flavio Sosa, who was arrested in Mexico City, calling him the first political prisoner of recently sworn-in President Felipe Calderon.
The PRD claims Calderon's victory over its candidate, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in July was fraudulent and refuses to recognize him as president.
Most of the nine victims of the Oaxaca violence have been protesters who were shot by armed gangs, and activists blame local police for many of those killings.
Federal police raided the offices of the Oaxaca state police on Friday, and seized their guns to determine whether any were used in shootings of demonstrators.
The conflict has shattered the tourist industry in the city, which is famous for its colonial architecture and spicy cuisine. Although police have regained control of the city center, most foreign visitors continue to stay away.
Human rights groups have asked U.N. officials to intervene on behalf of the Oaxaca prisoners, alleging they have been tortured, sexually abused and taken to prisons thousands of miles away.
On Sunday, Ruiz announced that he had signed an agreement for more than 100 prisoners to be transferred from penitentiaries in the north of Mexico to installations close to their families in Oaxaca.
Meanwhile, about 200 demonstrators marched through Mexico City in solidarity with the Oaxaca march.
December 10, 2006: unmen Slay Indian Activist in Oaxaca
Assailants shot dead an Indian activist in Mexico's conflict-ridden state of Oaxaca, police said Saturday. It was not clear if the killing was related to months of political violence in which at least nine other people have died.
The bullet-ridden corpse of Raul Marcial Perez was found Friday on a road near the Mixtec Indian community of Agua Fria about 120 miles north of Oaxaca City, state police said in a news release. He had been shot earlier in the day, it said.
Marcial Perez had been involved in disputes involving two rival Triqui Indian rights groups, but it was not clear if that was related to his slaying.
Some Indian groups in Oaxaca have participated in demonstrations against state Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who is accused of thuggery and corruption. The protesters took over the center of Oaxaca for five months until thousands of federal police drove them off in clashes in October and November.
Most of the nine victims of the Oaxaca violence have been protesters who were shot by armed gangs, and activists blame local police for many of those killings.
Among those killed in the protests was freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a clash between protesters and a group of armed men on Oct. 27 when he was shot.
On Friday, federal police raided the offices of the Oaxaca state police force and seized their guns to determine whether any were used in shootings of demonstrators.
Oaxaca police director Manuel Moreno said Saturday that the seizure was illegal and accused the federal police of failing to follow correct procedures.
Protesters planned to march into the center of Oaxaca on Sunday to demand the resignation of Ruiz and the freedom of more than 200 people who have been arrested in demonstrations and sent to prisons across Mexico.
The bullet-ridden corpse of Raul Marcial Perez was found Friday on a road near the Mixtec Indian community of Agua Fria about 120 miles north of Oaxaca City, state police said in a news release. He had been shot earlier in the day, it said.
Marcial Perez had been involved in disputes involving two rival Triqui Indian rights groups, but it was not clear if that was related to his slaying.
Some Indian groups in Oaxaca have participated in demonstrations against state Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who is accused of thuggery and corruption. The protesters took over the center of Oaxaca for five months until thousands of federal police drove them off in clashes in October and November.
Most of the nine victims of the Oaxaca violence have been protesters who were shot by armed gangs, and activists blame local police for many of those killings.
Among those killed in the protests was freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a clash between protesters and a group of armed men on Oct. 27 when he was shot.
On Friday, federal police raided the offices of the Oaxaca state police force and seized their guns to determine whether any were used in shootings of demonstrators.
Oaxaca police director Manuel Moreno said Saturday that the seizure was illegal and accused the federal police of failing to follow correct procedures.
Protesters planned to march into the center of Oaxaca on Sunday to demand the resignation of Ruiz and the freedom of more than 200 people who have been arrested in demonstrations and sent to prisons across Mexico.
December 5, 2006: Leader of Oaxaca protests arrested in Mexico City, supporters calling for weekend march
Police arrested the symbolic leader of a six-month protest movement that took over the southern city of Oaxaca and left at least nine dead, hours after he said at a news conference in Mexico City that he'd gone to the capital to negotiate a peaceful solution.
Flavio Sosa, whose heavyset, bearded presence became an emblem of the leftist Oaxaca People's Assembly, was arrested late Monday on charges related to the barricades, vandalism and irregular detentions carried out by some protesters.
"Sosa ... is known for his use of violence, damaging private property and public byways, and also burning vehicles and buildings in Oaxaca City," federal prosecutors said.
Sosa was charged with kidnapping, robbery, causing damages and injuries and taken to a maximum security prison just west of Mexico City that holds some of the nation's most dangerous prisoners.
Leaders of the Oaxaca People's Assembly, or APPO, have vowed to keep pressing for Gov. Ulises Ruiz's resignation and called for a "mega-march" Saturday to demand the release of Sosa and other protesters even as life there visibly returns to normal after burned-out vehicles and improvised barricades were removed from the streets.
Some residents warn that simmering discontent about poverty, injustice and oppression could erupt into violence again at any time.
Tomas Basaldu, Oaxacan state leader of Mexico's leftist Democratic Revolution Party, said he was meeting with the protesters.
"We will take action in the next few days," he said. "We won't lower our guard in backing the protesters."
The conflict began in late May as a strike by teachers seeking higher pay, but quickly exploded into a broader movement including Indian groups, students, farmers and myriad left-leaning activists claiming Ruiz rigged his electoral victory and has repressed opponents.
The conflict kept residents away from the city's historic center and forced nearly all the shops and restaurants to close their doors. Former President Vicente Fox in late October sent in federal troops, who cleared protesters from the streets.
Located about 325 miles southeast of Mexico City and featuring colonial architecture and Indian crafts, Oaxaca is one of the country's premier tourist destinations. But tourism plummeted amid the violence, which prompted the U.S. and several other foreign governments to warn their citizens against traveling to the city.
Before his arrest Monday, Sosa said he had come to Mexico City to try to re-establish negotiations with the government and to escape the "fierce persecution of the police and Ulises Ruiz' hit men," in Oaxaca.
Police called Sosa "the main leader" of the protest movement. Last month, he said everyone in the protest movement was equal "But my big beard and big stomach have made me become the favorite leader of the press and the police."
Sosa's brother, Horacio, was also arrested on unspecified charges.
Leaders who accompanied Sosa at the news conference said 220 protesters have been detained during the conflict, although police cite a figure of about 170. Protesters also claimed some detainees had been beaten, and that another 70 supporters of the movement are missing.
Among those killed in the protests was freelance video journalist from New York who was filming a clash between protesters and a group of armed men.
The violence seemed to come to a head last week when protesters set colonial-era buildings on fire, prompting police to begin arresting demonstrators. Many detainees have been transferred to a federal prison hundreds of miles away in Nayarit state, and many APPO leaders went into hiding after authorities issued warrants for their arrest.
Flavio Sosa, whose heavyset, bearded presence became an emblem of the leftist Oaxaca People's Assembly, was arrested late Monday on charges related to the barricades, vandalism and irregular detentions carried out by some protesters.
"Sosa ... is known for his use of violence, damaging private property and public byways, and also burning vehicles and buildings in Oaxaca City," federal prosecutors said.
Sosa was charged with kidnapping, robbery, causing damages and injuries and taken to a maximum security prison just west of Mexico City that holds some of the nation's most dangerous prisoners.
Leaders of the Oaxaca People's Assembly, or APPO, have vowed to keep pressing for Gov. Ulises Ruiz's resignation and called for a "mega-march" Saturday to demand the release of Sosa and other protesters even as life there visibly returns to normal after burned-out vehicles and improvised barricades were removed from the streets.
Some residents warn that simmering discontent about poverty, injustice and oppression could erupt into violence again at any time.
Tomas Basaldu, Oaxacan state leader of Mexico's leftist Democratic Revolution Party, said he was meeting with the protesters.
"We will take action in the next few days," he said. "We won't lower our guard in backing the protesters."
The conflict began in late May as a strike by teachers seeking higher pay, but quickly exploded into a broader movement including Indian groups, students, farmers and myriad left-leaning activists claiming Ruiz rigged his electoral victory and has repressed opponents.
The conflict kept residents away from the city's historic center and forced nearly all the shops and restaurants to close their doors. Former President Vicente Fox in late October sent in federal troops, who cleared protesters from the streets.
Located about 325 miles southeast of Mexico City and featuring colonial architecture and Indian crafts, Oaxaca is one of the country's premier tourist destinations. But tourism plummeted amid the violence, which prompted the U.S. and several other foreign governments to warn their citizens against traveling to the city.
Before his arrest Monday, Sosa said he had come to Mexico City to try to re-establish negotiations with the government and to escape the "fierce persecution of the police and Ulises Ruiz' hit men," in Oaxaca.
Police called Sosa "the main leader" of the protest movement. Last month, he said everyone in the protest movement was equal "But my big beard and big stomach have made me become the favorite leader of the press and the police."
Sosa's brother, Horacio, was also arrested on unspecified charges.
Leaders who accompanied Sosa at the news conference said 220 protesters have been detained during the conflict, although police cite a figure of about 170. Protesters also claimed some detainees had been beaten, and that another 70 supporters of the movement are missing.
Among those killed in the protests was freelance video journalist from New York who was filming a clash between protesters and a group of armed men.
The violence seemed to come to a head last week when protesters set colonial-era buildings on fire, prompting police to begin arresting demonstrators. Many detainees have been transferred to a federal prison hundreds of miles away in Nayarit state, and many APPO leaders went into hiding after authorities issued warrants for their arrest.
November 27, 2006:Protesters, governor vow to control center of embattled colonial city of Oaxaca
Leftist protesters in embattled Oaxaca City have vowed to re-establish a protest camp from which they were dislodged during running street battles with police that injured at least 43 people and led to 152 arrests.
Equally unyielding, Gov. Ulises Ruiz, whose resignation the protesters are demanding, made his first public tour of the damaged downtown area in months on Sunday and vowed to use "all the weight of the law" against violent protests.
Protest spokesman Florentino Lopez told local media that the demonstrators would set up camp again on Monday in the Santo Domingo plaza after being removed by federal police who used tear gas and water jets from tanker trucks.
The violence broke out when masked youths broke away from a protest march Saturday of about 4,000 people and hurled gasoline bombs, powerful fireworks and rocks at federal police in a failed attempt to encircle the officers holding the city's main plaza.
Police forced back the protesters and then removed them from the nearby Santo Domingo plaza, where they had regrouped after police re-entered the city in late October, ending a five-month takeover.
The federal police, who have largely remained in the main square and a few positions around the city, said they would actively patrol the city in search of those who committed "direct attacks" against them.
In a statement, the police said four of their officers and several bystanders were injured in the confrontation and accused outside activists of participating in the unrest that left three hotels were damaged, 20 vehicles burned and several businesses looted.
Some supporters of the leftist movement, the Oaxaca People's Assembly, claimed the youths were provocateurs or government agents, but Lopez told local media they were simply demonstrators who "exercised their legitimate right to self defense."
By early Sunday, the blazes were under control, but flames had gutted court offices in one of Oaxaca's colonial edifices. Later Sunday, protesters tossed gasoline bombs at a tax office.
Federal police said 152 people were arrested. Ruiz put the number at 160 and state prosecutors said that at least 43 people were injured. It was unclear whether that figure included 10 police officers and three journalists who suffered minor injuries in the battles.
On Saturday, residents watched in horror as buildings went up in flames and the streets filled with tear gas and smoke.
Josefina Quiros said protesters loosely organized under the Oaxaca People's Assembly, or APPO, were spreading fear. "We are terrified of the APPO people," she said.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Ruiz, accusing him of brutality, corruption and electoral fraud.
The fires damaged four buildings housing government offices, one university building and the offices of the state hotel association, which had already seen business from tourism the city's main source of outside income reduced to a trickle by the monthslong protest movement.
Ruiz had blamed the disturbances on radical groups from Mexico City.
"These are the death throes of a movement that has already disintegrated," Ruiz told a news conference.
The conflict began months ago as a teachers' strike, but quickly mushroomed into a broad protest against social and economic injustices in the poor state, in which protesters seized and paralyzed much of the city between May and October.
A majority of the teachers have since returned to work and did not participate in Saturday's demonstration.
Nine people have been killed in the clashes, including freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a group of leftist protesters that clashed with a group of armed men.
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Equally unyielding, Gov. Ulises Ruiz, whose resignation the protesters are demanding, made his first public tour of the damaged downtown area in months on Sunday and vowed to use "all the weight of the law" against violent protests.
Protest spokesman Florentino Lopez told local media that the demonstrators would set up camp again on Monday in the Santo Domingo plaza after being removed by federal police who used tear gas and water jets from tanker trucks.
The violence broke out when masked youths broke away from a protest march Saturday of about 4,000 people and hurled gasoline bombs, powerful fireworks and rocks at federal police in a failed attempt to encircle the officers holding the city's main plaza.
Police forced back the protesters and then removed them from the nearby Santo Domingo plaza, where they had regrouped after police re-entered the city in late October, ending a five-month takeover.
The federal police, who have largely remained in the main square and a few positions around the city, said they would actively patrol the city in search of those who committed "direct attacks" against them.
In a statement, the police said four of their officers and several bystanders were injured in the confrontation and accused outside activists of participating in the unrest that left three hotels were damaged, 20 vehicles burned and several businesses looted.
Some supporters of the leftist movement, the Oaxaca People's Assembly, claimed the youths were provocateurs or government agents, but Lopez told local media they were simply demonstrators who "exercised their legitimate right to self defense."
By early Sunday, the blazes were under control, but flames had gutted court offices in one of Oaxaca's colonial edifices. Later Sunday, protesters tossed gasoline bombs at a tax office.
Federal police said 152 people were arrested. Ruiz put the number at 160 and state prosecutors said that at least 43 people were injured. It was unclear whether that figure included 10 police officers and three journalists who suffered minor injuries in the battles.
On Saturday, residents watched in horror as buildings went up in flames and the streets filled with tear gas and smoke.
Josefina Quiros said protesters loosely organized under the Oaxaca People's Assembly, or APPO, were spreading fear. "We are terrified of the APPO people," she said.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Ruiz, accusing him of brutality, corruption and electoral fraud.
The fires damaged four buildings housing government offices, one university building and the offices of the state hotel association, which had already seen business from tourism the city's main source of outside income reduced to a trickle by the monthslong protest movement.
Ruiz had blamed the disturbances on radical groups from Mexico City.
"These are the death throes of a movement that has already disintegrated," Ruiz told a news conference.
The conflict began months ago as a teachers' strike, but quickly mushroomed into a broad protest against social and economic injustices in the poor state, in which protesters seized and paralyzed much of the city between May and October.
A majority of the teachers have since returned to work and did not participate in Saturday's demonstration.
Nine people have been killed in the clashes, including freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a group of leftist protesters that clashed with a group of armed men.
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November 26, 2006: Leftist protesters set buildings ablaze in embattled colonial city of Oaxaca
Protesters set fire to another building in the colonial city of Oaxaca on Sunday after torching government offices and vehicles and damaging hotels during demonstrations that left at least 43 injured and 152 arrested.
On Saturday, leftist protesters demanding the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor hurled rocks, powerful fireworks and gasoline bombs at federal police, in a bid to encircle the officers in the picturesque, arch-ringed main square of the city.
Police used tear gas and water jets from tanker trucks to force back the protesters and retake another, smaller square nearby where the demonstrators had regrouped after police re-entered the city in late October, ending a five-month takeover.
On Sunday, the federal police who have largely remained in the main square and a few positions around the city announced they would actively patrol the city in search of those who committed "direct attacks on federal police."
In a press statement, the police said four of their officers and several bystanders were injured in the confrontation and accused outside activists of participating in the unrest.
During the clash, bands of masked youths broke off from a march of about 4,000 people earlier Saturday and pushed shopping carts filled with rocks and gasoline bombs through the streets in a running battle with police.
By early Sunday firefighters had controlled the blazes, but the flames had already gutted court offices housed in one of Oaxaca's imposing colonial edifices. Later Sunday, protesters also torched a tax office.
In one of his first public appearances downtown in his own state capital since protesters forced officials out in May, Gov. Ulises Ruiz vowed to punish those responsible and remove the barricades protesters still man in some sections of the city.
"All the weight of the law will be applied to those who have committed these acts of vandalism," Ruiz told reporters.
Federal police said 152 people were arrested. Ruiz put the number at 160 and state prosecutors said that at least 43 people were injured; it was unclear whether that figure included ten police officers and three journalists who suffered minor injuries in the confrontations.
Prosecutors said there were no reports of any deaths; many of the injuries appeared minor, involving tear gas inhalation or blows from rocks and cudgels.
Downtown residents watched in horror as buildings went up in flames and the streets filled with a choking mixture of tear gas and smoke.
Oaxaca resident Josefina Quiros said protesters loosely organized under the leftist People's Assembly of Oaxaca were spreading fear.
"We are terrified of the APPO people," said Josefina Quiros, referring to the assembly by its Spanish initials.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Ruiz, accusing him of brutality, corruption and electoral fraud.
Demonstrators attacked three hotels, hurling gasoline bombs at one and smashing windows at two others. Some protesters also looted several business in the downtown area.
The fires damaged four buildings housing government offices, one university building and the offices of the state hotel association, which had already seen business from tourism the city's main source of outside income reduced to a trickle by the six-month-old protest movement.
In late October, the federal police retook control of the city's picturesque main square from protesters stationed there since May, but their control over the rest of the city has been tenuous since then.
On Saturday, police advanced in formation from the main square to oust demonstrators from the protest camp they had set up in another square, the Santo Domingo plaza, two blocks away.
Marcelino Coache, a spokesman for the leftist People's Assembly of Oaxaca, said some protesters suffered serious injuries; some of the demonstrators appeared to have retreated to the campus of a local university, where academic-freedom laws prevent police from entering.
Gov. Ruiz earlier blamed the disturbances on radical groups from Mexico City.
"These are the death throes of a movement that has already disintegrated," Ruiz told a news conference Saturday.
The conflict began months ago as a teachers' strike, but quickly mushroomed into a broad protest against social and economic injustices in the poor state; protesters seized and paralyzed much of the city between May and October.
A majority of the teachers have since returned to work and did not participate in Saturday's demonstration.
Nine people have been killed in the clashes, including freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a group of leftist protesters that clashed with a group of armed men. Both sides fired, and it is not clear who shot first.
Several governments, including the United States, have warned tourists to stay away from Oaxaca city, formerly popular with tourists for its nearby ruins, cuisine, colonial architecture and handicrafts.
On Saturday, leftist protesters demanding the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor hurled rocks, powerful fireworks and gasoline bombs at federal police, in a bid to encircle the officers in the picturesque, arch-ringed main square of the city.
Police used tear gas and water jets from tanker trucks to force back the protesters and retake another, smaller square nearby where the demonstrators had regrouped after police re-entered the city in late October, ending a five-month takeover.
On Sunday, the federal police who have largely remained in the main square and a few positions around the city announced they would actively patrol the city in search of those who committed "direct attacks on federal police."
In a press statement, the police said four of their officers and several bystanders were injured in the confrontation and accused outside activists of participating in the unrest.
During the clash, bands of masked youths broke off from a march of about 4,000 people earlier Saturday and pushed shopping carts filled with rocks and gasoline bombs through the streets in a running battle with police.
By early Sunday firefighters had controlled the blazes, but the flames had already gutted court offices housed in one of Oaxaca's imposing colonial edifices. Later Sunday, protesters also torched a tax office.
In one of his first public appearances downtown in his own state capital since protesters forced officials out in May, Gov. Ulises Ruiz vowed to punish those responsible and remove the barricades protesters still man in some sections of the city.
"All the weight of the law will be applied to those who have committed these acts of vandalism," Ruiz told reporters.
Federal police said 152 people were arrested. Ruiz put the number at 160 and state prosecutors said that at least 43 people were injured; it was unclear whether that figure included ten police officers and three journalists who suffered minor injuries in the confrontations.
Prosecutors said there were no reports of any deaths; many of the injuries appeared minor, involving tear gas inhalation or blows from rocks and cudgels.
Downtown residents watched in horror as buildings went up in flames and the streets filled with a choking mixture of tear gas and smoke.
Oaxaca resident Josefina Quiros said protesters loosely organized under the leftist People's Assembly of Oaxaca were spreading fear.
"We are terrified of the APPO people," said Josefina Quiros, referring to the assembly by its Spanish initials.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Ruiz, accusing him of brutality, corruption and electoral fraud.
Demonstrators attacked three hotels, hurling gasoline bombs at one and smashing windows at two others. Some protesters also looted several business in the downtown area.
The fires damaged four buildings housing government offices, one university building and the offices of the state hotel association, which had already seen business from tourism the city's main source of outside income reduced to a trickle by the six-month-old protest movement.
In late October, the federal police retook control of the city's picturesque main square from protesters stationed there since May, but their control over the rest of the city has been tenuous since then.
On Saturday, police advanced in formation from the main square to oust demonstrators from the protest camp they had set up in another square, the Santo Domingo plaza, two blocks away.
Marcelino Coache, a spokesman for the leftist People's Assembly of Oaxaca, said some protesters suffered serious injuries; some of the demonstrators appeared to have retreated to the campus of a local university, where academic-freedom laws prevent police from entering.
Gov. Ruiz earlier blamed the disturbances on radical groups from Mexico City.
"These are the death throes of a movement that has already disintegrated," Ruiz told a news conference Saturday.
The conflict began months ago as a teachers' strike, but quickly mushroomed into a broad protest against social and economic injustices in the poor state; protesters seized and paralyzed much of the city between May and October.
A majority of the teachers have since returned to work and did not participate in Saturday's demonstration.
Nine people have been killed in the clashes, including freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a group of leftist protesters that clashed with a group of armed men. Both sides fired, and it is not clear who shot first.
Several governments, including the United States, have warned tourists to stay away from Oaxaca city, formerly popular with tourists for its nearby ruins, cuisine, colonial architecture and handicrafts.
November 23, 2006: Protesters in southern Mexican state of Oaxaca briefly raid radio station to transmit message
Protesters calling for the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor briefly raided a radio station in the capital city on Wednesday to transmit a message rallying followers to a weekend march.
Members of the Oaxaca People's Assembly, or APPO, forced their way into the Ley 710 radio station and warned that if they were not allowed to broadcast their message, they would take over the station as they did earlier for nearly three months.
The group broadcast a call for supporters to join a Saturday rally at the main central plaza, or Zocalo, which was its base until federal police ousted the protesters last month. The police are still in control of the square.
"We want to show that the APPO has not died and that its demands remain intact," one of the members, who did not identify himself, said during the broadcast. "Our fight is peaceful and it won't end until (Gov.) Ulises Ruiz Ortiz falls."
Ley 710 is one of 10 private radio stations in Oaxaca, all of which were taken over by APPO in August. The group later abandoned the stations, but eight have not resumed broadcasts because APPO threatened to take them over again.
One of the stations that resumed broadcasts is controlled by a member of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, which supports the protests.
APPO remains in control of the radio station at Oaxaca's Autonomous Benito Juarez University, which the protesters converted into their headquarters early this month after being driven from the Zocalo. The protesters also broadcast from a bootleg radio station.
A separate unlicensed station known as "Radio Ciudadania," or "Citizens' Radio," is broadcasting messages in favor of Ruiz.
On Tuesday, APPO announced that it would reactivate mobile brigades that in the past have symbolically closed government offices as part of their demand to oust Ruiz.
Wednesday marked the six-month anniversary of the conflict, which has cost Oaxaca state millions of dollars in business, including tourism, and 1.3 million children hundreds of hours of schooling. Teachers just recently returned to the classrooms after accepting a pay raise.
The conflict began as a teachers strike, but quickly mushroomed into a broad protest against centuries of social and economic injustices in the poor state.
Nine people have been killed in the clashes, including freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a group of leftist protesters that clashed with a group of armed men. Both sides fired. It is not clear who shot first.
On Wednesday, Amnesty International investigator Rupert Knox called for an independent autopsy on Will's body after the Oaxaca state attorney general said Will apparently was shot at point-blank range, indicating that the fatal shots came from nearby leftist protesters.
A spokesman for the protesters said officials were fabricating evidence to win the release of two local officials held in connection with the Oct. 27 killing.
Will was shot twice in the abdomen and died on the way to hospital.
Also Wednesday, two dozen APPO sympathizers marched in front of the U.S. Consulate in Acapulco in Guerrero state, which borders Oaxaca.
"If Ulises Ruiz doesn't leave, Calderon won't enter," they chanted, referring to President-elect Felipe Calderon, who takes office on Dec. 1.
The protesters include many supporters of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who lost the July 2 presidential election to Calderon by less than 1 percentage point.
Members of the Oaxaca People's Assembly, or APPO, forced their way into the Ley 710 radio station and warned that if they were not allowed to broadcast their message, they would take over the station as they did earlier for nearly three months.
The group broadcast a call for supporters to join a Saturday rally at the main central plaza, or Zocalo, which was its base until federal police ousted the protesters last month. The police are still in control of the square.
"We want to show that the APPO has not died and that its demands remain intact," one of the members, who did not identify himself, said during the broadcast. "Our fight is peaceful and it won't end until (Gov.) Ulises Ruiz Ortiz falls."
Ley 710 is one of 10 private radio stations in Oaxaca, all of which were taken over by APPO in August. The group later abandoned the stations, but eight have not resumed broadcasts because APPO threatened to take them over again.
One of the stations that resumed broadcasts is controlled by a member of the leftist Democratic Revolution Party, which supports the protests.
APPO remains in control of the radio station at Oaxaca's Autonomous Benito Juarez University, which the protesters converted into their headquarters early this month after being driven from the Zocalo. The protesters also broadcast from a bootleg radio station.
A separate unlicensed station known as "Radio Ciudadania," or "Citizens' Radio," is broadcasting messages in favor of Ruiz.
On Tuesday, APPO announced that it would reactivate mobile brigades that in the past have symbolically closed government offices as part of their demand to oust Ruiz.
Wednesday marked the six-month anniversary of the conflict, which has cost Oaxaca state millions of dollars in business, including tourism, and 1.3 million children hundreds of hours of schooling. Teachers just recently returned to the classrooms after accepting a pay raise.
The conflict began as a teachers strike, but quickly mushroomed into a broad protest against centuries of social and economic injustices in the poor state.
Nine people have been killed in the clashes, including freelance video journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was filming a group of leftist protesters that clashed with a group of armed men. Both sides fired. It is not clear who shot first.
On Wednesday, Amnesty International investigator Rupert Knox called for an independent autopsy on Will's body after the Oaxaca state attorney general said Will apparently was shot at point-blank range, indicating that the fatal shots came from nearby leftist protesters.
A spokesman for the protesters said officials were fabricating evidence to win the release of two local officials held in connection with the Oct. 27 killing.
Will was shot twice in the abdomen and died on the way to hospital.
Also Wednesday, two dozen APPO sympathizers marched in front of the U.S. Consulate in Acapulco in Guerrero state, which borders Oaxaca.
"If Ulises Ruiz doesn't leave, Calderon won't enter," they chanted, referring to President-elect Felipe Calderon, who takes office on Dec. 1.
The protesters include many supporters of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who lost the July 2 presidential election to Calderon by less than 1 percentage point.
November 21, 2006: Renewed clashes between protesters and police in southern Mexican state of Oaxaca
Masked protesters armed with sticks, rocks, fireworks and homemade gasoline bombs clashed briefly with federal police and raided a downtown hotel Monday as violence continued after more than five months of demonstrations seeking the governor's resignation.
The protesters led a march for Monday's Mexican Revolution holiday to the city's main central plaza, the Zocalo, which police took over in late October in an attempt to end the protesters' siege of the city. As they passed, the demonstrators began using their weapons against police, who fired back with tear gas and pepper spray, eventually dispersing them.
The demonstrators were seen taking vehicles away from motorists driving through the center at the time, including a passenger bus, which they later set on fire. They also raided the Camino Real hotel, breaking the windows of the upscale establishment and spraying its walls with graffiti.
The hotel closed its doors shortly thereafter and did not release any information about its guest list. It was the second time since the protests began in late May that protesters have attacked the hotel.
In late September, about 300 demonstrators armed with machetes, knives and pipes descended on the hotel searching for Gov. Ulises Ruiz, whom they accuse of rigging the 2004 election to win office and violently repressing dissent.
Protest leader Cesar Mateos said police detained some of the demonstrators, but couldn't say how many. Police did not release any information on detentions.
In Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas on Monday, thousands of Indian sympathizers of the Zapatista rebels blocked highways throughout the state in support of the Oaxacan protesters.
The protesters led a march for Monday's Mexican Revolution holiday to the city's main central plaza, the Zocalo, which police took over in late October in an attempt to end the protesters' siege of the city. As they passed, the demonstrators began using their weapons against police, who fired back with tear gas and pepper spray, eventually dispersing them.
The demonstrators were seen taking vehicles away from motorists driving through the center at the time, including a passenger bus, which they later set on fire. They also raided the Camino Real hotel, breaking the windows of the upscale establishment and spraying its walls with graffiti.
The hotel closed its doors shortly thereafter and did not release any information about its guest list. It was the second time since the protests began in late May that protesters have attacked the hotel.
In late September, about 300 demonstrators armed with machetes, knives and pipes descended on the hotel searching for Gov. Ulises Ruiz, whom they accuse of rigging the 2004 election to win office and violently repressing dissent.
Protest leader Cesar Mateos said police detained some of the demonstrators, but couldn't say how many. Police did not release any information on detentions.
In Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas on Monday, thousands of Indian sympathizers of the Zapatista rebels blocked highways throughout the state in support of the Oaxacan protesters.
November 16, 2006: New evidence casts doubt over who killed U.S. journalist, Oaxaca Attorney General says
State investigators have found that a U.S. activist and journalist who was killed while filming a Oaxaca gun battle last month was shot at point blank range, indicating that the two suspects currently in prison may not be behind his death, Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana said.
Two officials from the town of Santa Lucia were arrested for the killing of Roland Will, 36, who was shot Oct. 27 in the town near Oaxaca while filming a group of leftist protesters during a clash with authorities.
Cana said Tuesday that the investigation shows that both bullets that killed Will were fired from the same gun, and one of them was fired at point-blank range. The evidence suggest that the protesters being filmed by Will may have shot him, Cana said.
The leftist protesters are calling for the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, an Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, member, who is Cana's boss. They have accused Cana of using her office to support a corrupt governor and she has called them "urban guerrillas."
Protest spokesman Florentino Lopez said Cana was fabricating evidence to try and blame the leftists for the killing.
"It seems a very clear fabrication and a stupid way of trying to blame the protesters," Lopez said.
Will wrote dispatches on independent website Indymedia.com showing he had strong sympathies with the leftist protest movement. He was shot twice in the abdomen in the incident and died on the way to hospital.
Also Tuesday, gunmen killed two members of the PRI in the Oaxacan mountains but it was not clear if their deaths were linked to the political unrest that has swept the state since May.
The shooting took place near the village of San Agustin Loxicha, 120 miles (200 kilometers) south of Oaxaca's state capital.
The two PRI members, identified as Faustino Sebastian Valencia and Jesus Valencia, were ambushed and shot dead as they walked in the mountains, said Lieutenant Manuel Moreno Rivas of Oaxaca state police. Moreno said he did not know the motive for the killing.
Oaxaca PRI president Hector Pablo Ramirez said the killings may been linked to the political conflict in the state or they may have been to do with a personal grudge.
The protests to oust Ruiz have led to at least nine deaths, mostly of leftist protesters who have been shot by gangs of gunmen.
Protesters accuse Ruiz of rigging the 2004 election to win office and of using violence against his opponents.
Last month, President Vicente Fox sent more than 4,000 federal police to quell the unrest.
Associated Press Writer Ioan Grillo contributed to this report from Mexico City.
Two officials from the town of Santa Lucia were arrested for the killing of Roland Will, 36, who was shot Oct. 27 in the town near Oaxaca while filming a group of leftist protesters during a clash with authorities.
Cana said Tuesday that the investigation shows that both bullets that killed Will were fired from the same gun, and one of them was fired at point-blank range. The evidence suggest that the protesters being filmed by Will may have shot him, Cana said.
The leftist protesters are calling for the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, an Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, member, who is Cana's boss. They have accused Cana of using her office to support a corrupt governor and she has called them "urban guerrillas."
Protest spokesman Florentino Lopez said Cana was fabricating evidence to try and blame the leftists for the killing.
"It seems a very clear fabrication and a stupid way of trying to blame the protesters," Lopez said.
Will wrote dispatches on independent website Indymedia.com showing he had strong sympathies with the leftist protest movement. He was shot twice in the abdomen in the incident and died on the way to hospital.
Also Tuesday, gunmen killed two members of the PRI in the Oaxacan mountains but it was not clear if their deaths were linked to the political unrest that has swept the state since May.
The shooting took place near the village of San Agustin Loxicha, 120 miles (200 kilometers) south of Oaxaca's state capital.
The two PRI members, identified as Faustino Sebastian Valencia and Jesus Valencia, were ambushed and shot dead as they walked in the mountains, said Lieutenant Manuel Moreno Rivas of Oaxaca state police. Moreno said he did not know the motive for the killing.
Oaxaca PRI president Hector Pablo Ramirez said the killings may been linked to the political conflict in the state or they may have been to do with a personal grudge.
The protests to oust Ruiz have led to at least nine deaths, mostly of leftist protesters who have been shot by gangs of gunmen.
Protesters accuse Ruiz of rigging the 2004 election to win office and of using violence against his opponents.
Last month, President Vicente Fox sent more than 4,000 federal police to quell the unrest.
Associated Press Writer Ioan Grillo contributed to this report from Mexico City.
November 16, 2006: Oaxaca governor avoids giving live address after protesters threaten interruption
The governor of Mexico's conflict-ridden southern Oaxaca state sent a deputy Wednesday to hand-deliver his annual progress report to lawmakers after protesters said they would interrupt the governor's address if he gave it in person.
Instead of personally delivering a customary live speech at the state legislature, Gov. Ulises Ruiz sent state Interior Secretary Heliodoro Diaz to deliver the written report, state government spokeswoman Luz Divina Zarate said.
A taped message from the governor summarizing his past year in office was broadcast later Wednesday on television and radio stations.
Protests demanding the resignation of Ruiz, whose term ends in 2010, have roiled the city for five months and protest leader Florentino Lopez had said demonstrators would disrupt Ruiz's address if he tried to deliver it in person.
Protesters accuse Ruiz of rigging the 2004 election to win office and of using violence against his opponents. Last month, President Vicente Fox sent more than 4,000 federal police to quell the unrest. The protests have led to at least nine deaths, mostly of leftists who have been shot dead by gangs of gunmen.
On Tuesday, the state's attorney general released a report saying an American activist-journalist who was killed while filming a gunbattle during recent demonstrations was shot at point-blank range, indicating the fatal shots came from nearby leftist protesters.
Lopez said Tuesday that officials were fabricating evidence to win the release of two local officials held in connection with the Oct. 27 killing of Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York.
Will, 36, was filming a group of leftist protesters who clashed with a group of armed men in Santa Lucia, a working-class town on the outskirts of Oaxaca city. Both sides fired. It is not clear who shot first.
Will was shot twice in the abdomen and died on the way to hospital.
Instead of personally delivering a customary live speech at the state legislature, Gov. Ulises Ruiz sent state Interior Secretary Heliodoro Diaz to deliver the written report, state government spokeswoman Luz Divina Zarate said.
A taped message from the governor summarizing his past year in office was broadcast later Wednesday on television and radio stations.
Protests demanding the resignation of Ruiz, whose term ends in 2010, have roiled the city for five months and protest leader Florentino Lopez had said demonstrators would disrupt Ruiz's address if he tried to deliver it in person.
Protesters accuse Ruiz of rigging the 2004 election to win office and of using violence against his opponents. Last month, President Vicente Fox sent more than 4,000 federal police to quell the unrest. The protests have led to at least nine deaths, mostly of leftists who have been shot dead by gangs of gunmen.
On Tuesday, the state's attorney general released a report saying an American activist-journalist who was killed while filming a gunbattle during recent demonstrations was shot at point-blank range, indicating the fatal shots came from nearby leftist protesters.
Lopez said Tuesday that officials were fabricating evidence to win the release of two local officials held in connection with the Oct. 27 killing of Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York.
Will, 36, was filming a group of leftist protesters who clashed with a group of armed men in Santa Lucia, a working-class town on the outskirts of Oaxaca city. Both sides fired. It is not clear who shot first.
Will was shot twice in the abdomen and died on the way to hospital.
November 14, 2006: In Mexican city of Oaxaca, classes briefly resume at university wracked by protests
Students briefly returned to classes at a public university overrun by protesters but lessons were soon suspended after shouting matches between students in favor and those against a leftist movement in the southern Mexican City
Leftist protesters set up their headquarters at Oaxaca's Autonomous Benito Juarez University early this month after police drove them out of the city's main plaza, which they had occupied for months in a bid to force Oaxaca's state governor to resign.
Some students complained Monday they were intimidated by masked protesters who shouted "traitors" at those going into classrooms.
"In truth, the people wearing masks scare me. I'm better off going home," said Bertha Orozco.
Leftist protesters also say they fear for their safety after almost daily shootings at them by pro-government armed groups driving by the university in cars and trucks.
A student protester was shot in the neck earlier this month and remains hospitalized.
University spokesman Carlos Pazaran said there would be no further classes until security conditions were guaranteed.
At least nine people have died since August in the unrest, which has rattled the outgoing administration of President Vicente Fox.
Earlier this month, 30 people were injured during clashes between federal police and protesters after the officers tried to remove barricades on a street near the university.
Rector Francisco Martinez and Mexican Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal vowed Monday to guarantee the safety of the school's 36,000 students, although Martinez made clear federal police would not be allowed on campus. Federal police are not allowed to enter under a law designed to protect academic freedom.
The Oaxaca protests began in May with a strike by teachers looking for better pay and turned into a campaign for the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz after police under his command violently broke up a demonstration.
Leftists, Indian groups and students have joined in, as protesters accuse Ruiz of rigging the 2004 election to win office and sending groups of armed thugs to kill and intimidate his opponents.
Also Monday, parents and teachers opened additional public primary and high school classrooms, joining dozens of schools that have reopened despite the ongoing teachers strike.
Leftist protesters set up their headquarters at Oaxaca's Autonomous Benito Juarez University early this month after police drove them out of the city's main plaza, which they had occupied for months in a bid to force Oaxaca's state governor to resign.
Some students complained Monday they were intimidated by masked protesters who shouted "traitors" at those going into classrooms.
"In truth, the people wearing masks scare me. I'm better off going home," said Bertha Orozco.
Leftist protesters also say they fear for their safety after almost daily shootings at them by pro-government armed groups driving by the university in cars and trucks.
A student protester was shot in the neck earlier this month and remains hospitalized.
University spokesman Carlos Pazaran said there would be no further classes until security conditions were guaranteed.
At least nine people have died since August in the unrest, which has rattled the outgoing administration of President Vicente Fox.
Earlier this month, 30 people were injured during clashes between federal police and protesters after the officers tried to remove barricades on a street near the university.
Rector Francisco Martinez and Mexican Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal vowed Monday to guarantee the safety of the school's 36,000 students, although Martinez made clear federal police would not be allowed on campus. Federal police are not allowed to enter under a law designed to protect academic freedom.
The Oaxaca protests began in May with a strike by teachers looking for better pay and turned into a campaign for the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz after police under his command violently broke up a demonstration.
Leftists, Indian groups and students have joined in, as protesters accuse Ruiz of rigging the 2004 election to win office and sending groups of armed thugs to kill and intimidate his opponents.
Also Monday, parents and teachers opened additional public primary and high school classrooms, joining dozens of schools that have reopened despite the ongoing teachers strike.
November 12, 2006: Youths Fire-Bomb McDonald's in Oaxaca
Four youths wearing masks tossed gasoline bombs at a McDonald's restaurant in the conflict-torn city of Oaxaca on Sunday, damaging the windows, seats and play area, police said.
Security personnel at the shopping center where the McDonald's is located extinguished the blaze, police said. The restaurant was closed during the pre-dawn attack, and nobody was hurt.
The shopping mall is near a university where leftist protesters set up their headquarters last month after police drove them out of city's main plaza, which they had occupied for five months in a bid to force the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor. Those activists attacked a Burger King restaurant in the same mall with gasoline bombs last week.
However, leaders of the movement, known as the Oaxaca People's Assembly, denied their members were responsible for Sunday's attack.
McDonald's was at the center of controversy here in 2002, when artists and community groups forced the chain to abandon plans to open a franchise in Oaxaca's picturesque colonial main square, saying it would hurt the city's cultural identity.
Oaxaca's conflict started as a teachers' strike for higher pay. It expanded into a fight to oust Gov. Ulises Ruiz, with leftist protesters seizing the city center, building barricades, burning buses and seizing radio stations to call for revolution.
The unrest drove foreign tourists away from the city, one of the country's top attractions.
On Saturday, the Roman Catholic bishop of Oaxaca declined a request to give asylum or sanctuary to People's Assembly leaders who fear arrest. Bishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello said the church did not have the resources to guarantee the safety of the protest leaders but was trying to facilitate understanding and dialogue between the two sides.
Many of the striking teachers recently agreed to accept pay increases and return to work. Federal police have retaken the city center, but violence has persisted elsewhere, including clashes between police and protests that injured 30 people last week.
Security personnel at the shopping center where the McDonald's is located extinguished the blaze, police said. The restaurant was closed during the pre-dawn attack, and nobody was hurt.
The shopping mall is near a university where leftist protesters set up their headquarters last month after police drove them out of city's main plaza, which they had occupied for five months in a bid to force the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor. Those activists attacked a Burger King restaurant in the same mall with gasoline bombs last week.
However, leaders of the movement, known as the Oaxaca People's Assembly, denied their members were responsible for Sunday's attack.
McDonald's was at the center of controversy here in 2002, when artists and community groups forced the chain to abandon plans to open a franchise in Oaxaca's picturesque colonial main square, saying it would hurt the city's cultural identity.
Oaxaca's conflict started as a teachers' strike for higher pay. It expanded into a fight to oust Gov. Ulises Ruiz, with leftist protesters seizing the city center, building barricades, burning buses and seizing radio stations to call for revolution.
The unrest drove foreign tourists away from the city, one of the country's top attractions.
On Saturday, the Roman Catholic bishop of Oaxaca declined a request to give asylum or sanctuary to People's Assembly leaders who fear arrest. Bishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello said the church did not have the resources to guarantee the safety of the protest leaders but was trying to facilitate understanding and dialogue between the two sides.
Many of the striking teachers recently agreed to accept pay increases and return to work. Federal police have retaken the city center, but violence has persisted elsewhere, including clashes between police and protests that injured 30 people last week.
November 12, 2006: Oaxaca bishop says church cannot grant sanctuary to protest leaders
The Roman Catholic bishop of Oaxaca said Saturday the church cannot grant sanctuary to four leftists who led a five-month takeover of the city to demand the resignation of the state governor.
The four had publicly asked for protection in one of the city's churches earlier this week, fearing they might be arrested on charges stemming from their role in demonstrations which at times turned violent.
But Bishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello told reporters on Saturday that the church has neither the resources nor the facilities to provide sanctuary, an ancient tradition in which temples shielded people from detention by authorities.
The bishop said the church was trying to act as a facilitator of dialogue and has not shown preferences in the conflict, which began as a teachers' strike in late May.
"We have cared for average citizens, policemen, teachers and state government employees without distinction," the bishop said.
For five months, leftist protesters allied with the striking teachers seized the city center, kept out state police and drove away tourists from one of Mexico's top destinations. They built barricades, burned buses and took over private radio stations to broadcast calls for revolution. Nine people have been killed in the city since August, most of them leftists.
The president on Oct. 29 sent 4,000 federal officers backed by helicopters and water cannons to push the leftists out of the city center and regain control.
Flavio Sosa is the most visible leader of the Oaxaca People's Assembly a coalition of leftists, anarchists and neighborhood groups calling for the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz who they accuse of rigging a 2004 election.
Sosa faces arrest warrants on riot and conspiracy charges, but has also been engaged in on-again, off-again talks with the federal government. He spends most of his time surrounded by supporters at Oaxaca's state university where protesters set up their headquarters after being expelled by police from the city's main square. The university's rector has refused to allow police to enter the facility.
But he also frequently speaks to reporters and supporters just a couple of blocks from positions the federal police took up in the city following the raid in late October. Police apparently have never pursued him.
On Saturday, protesters met to plan out the movement's future strategy after striking teachers voted to accept pay increases and many agreed to return to work.
Meanwhile, sporadic violence has persisted in the city as federal officers clashed with protesters using gasoline bombs and fireworks packed with glass and nails. Last week, 30 people were injured in confrontations with police.
Federal police said over the weekend that they would start assuming anti-crime operations in the city because some criminals had taken advantage of the political upheaval to commit robberies and other crimes.
The four had publicly asked for protection in one of the city's churches earlier this week, fearing they might be arrested on charges stemming from their role in demonstrations which at times turned violent.
But Bishop Jose Luis Chavez Botello told reporters on Saturday that the church has neither the resources nor the facilities to provide sanctuary, an ancient tradition in which temples shielded people from detention by authorities.
The bishop said the church was trying to act as a facilitator of dialogue and has not shown preferences in the conflict, which began as a teachers' strike in late May.
"We have cared for average citizens, policemen, teachers and state government employees without distinction," the bishop said.
For five months, leftist protesters allied with the striking teachers seized the city center, kept out state police and drove away tourists from one of Mexico's top destinations. They built barricades, burned buses and took over private radio stations to broadcast calls for revolution. Nine people have been killed in the city since August, most of them leftists.
The president on Oct. 29 sent 4,000 federal officers backed by helicopters and water cannons to push the leftists out of the city center and regain control.
Flavio Sosa is the most visible leader of the Oaxaca People's Assembly a coalition of leftists, anarchists and neighborhood groups calling for the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz who they accuse of rigging a 2004 election.
Sosa faces arrest warrants on riot and conspiracy charges, but has also been engaged in on-again, off-again talks with the federal government. He spends most of his time surrounded by supporters at Oaxaca's state university where protesters set up their headquarters after being expelled by police from the city's main square. The university's rector has refused to allow police to enter the facility.
But he also frequently speaks to reporters and supporters just a couple of blocks from positions the federal police took up in the city following the raid in late October. Police apparently have never pursued him.
On Saturday, protesters met to plan out the movement's future strategy after striking teachers voted to accept pay increases and many agreed to return to work.
Meanwhile, sporadic violence has persisted in the city as federal officers clashed with protesters using gasoline bombs and fireworks packed with glass and nails. Last week, 30 people were injured in confrontations with police.
Federal police said over the weekend that they would start assuming anti-crime operations in the city because some criminals had taken advantage of the political upheaval to commit robberies and other crimes.
November 4, 2006: Oaxaca protesters regroup after Mexican federal police retreat from university
Protesters demanding the governor's resignation in troubled Oaxaca state received fresh support Friday from the country's largest leftist group, a day after forcing federal police from one of their strongholds during six hours of often-violent clashes.
The Democratic Revolution Party said it would join the protesters in a demonstration planned for Sunday in Oaxaca City and would have its followers form human chains around federal police detachments entering the city that day.
The party previously kept its distance from the Oaxaca protest movement a coalition of leftist and anarchist protesters calling for the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz that seized the capital city for five months until being removed by police in a Sunday raid.
The country's top police official, Public Safety Secretary Eduardo Medina, said he expected life to be back to normal in Oaxaca City by the end of the month, despite ongoing fierce clashes in the city's streets.
On Thursday, the demonstrators lobbed firecrackers, gasoline bombs and rocks at police who had surrounded Oaxaca's state university. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons in violent skirmishes that left 20 protesters, 10 police officers and three news photographers injured.
"We are not at war with anyone," Medina said Friday. He added that federal police were trying to create an environment in which negotiations between the two sides could take place.
Federal police have said they are seeking to clear street barricades so that traffic can return to normal, and that they have no plans to storm the university, where the protesters have set up one of their headquarters and are broadcasting messages from its radio station.
On Friday, dozens of masked youths patrolled the barricades re-established outside the university, some carrying long plastic or metal tubes used to launch powerful fireworks against police. Inside the university, teacher and protest supporter Guillermo Contreras said "we are on maximum alert. We will fight their weapons with our spirit and dignity."
Under Mexican law, the university rector must give the police permission to enter. Rector Francisco Martinez, speaking on the university radio station Thursday, called the operation an "attack" and demanded that the police withdraw, which they eventually did.
Protest leaders later dismissed any chance of resuming negotiations with the federal Interior Department. Spokesman Florentino Lopez demanded direct talks with President Vicente Fox instead. Fox was in Uruguay on Friday attending the Iberoamerican summit and his office did not issue a statement.
Also Friday, Ruiz, who is accused of rigging the 2004 election to win office and organizing bands of thugs to attack dissidents, reiterated that he would not resign. He accused radical groups from Mexico City of participating in protests like Thursday's clash.
A free medical clinic near the university reported that more than 20 protesters had been treated for bruises, cuts and injuries related to tear gas in that confrontation. Lopez claimed the number of injured was much higher.
The 10 injured officers received various gas-fire burns and bruises, the federal police said in a statement.
At least nine people have died in the conflict, mostly protesters shot by police or armed gangs. Among the victims was activist-journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was shot in the stomach while filming a gunbattle last Friday.
The state prosecutor's office said Wednesday that two people were in custody in connection with Will's death. They were detained after residents identified them as the alleged shooters, and Mayor Manuel Martinez of Santa Lucia del Camino, where Will was killed, said the suspects are officials of the municipality, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City.
The Paris-based media rights group Reporters Without Borders on Friday condemned "shortcomings" in the investigation into his death "and the fact that three others allegedly involved have been able to escape."
"The investigation in no way absolves the Oaxaca state government of responsibility in Will's death and we reiterate our call for the creation of a federal commission of inquiry," the group said in a statement.
It added it had information indicating two Guatemalan journalists have gone missing in Oaxaca.
The embassies of the U.S., Canada, Britain, France and Germany all have warned their citizens to avoid traveling to the region.
The conflict has shattered tourism in the city, which is popular for its colonial architecture, cuisine and ancient ruins.
The Democratic Revolution Party said it would join the protesters in a demonstration planned for Sunday in Oaxaca City and would have its followers form human chains around federal police detachments entering the city that day.
The party previously kept its distance from the Oaxaca protest movement a coalition of leftist and anarchist protesters calling for the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz that seized the capital city for five months until being removed by police in a Sunday raid.
The country's top police official, Public Safety Secretary Eduardo Medina, said he expected life to be back to normal in Oaxaca City by the end of the month, despite ongoing fierce clashes in the city's streets.
On Thursday, the demonstrators lobbed firecrackers, gasoline bombs and rocks at police who had surrounded Oaxaca's state university. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons in violent skirmishes that left 20 protesters, 10 police officers and three news photographers injured.
"We are not at war with anyone," Medina said Friday. He added that federal police were trying to create an environment in which negotiations between the two sides could take place.
Federal police have said they are seeking to clear street barricades so that traffic can return to normal, and that they have no plans to storm the university, where the protesters have set up one of their headquarters and are broadcasting messages from its radio station.
On Friday, dozens of masked youths patrolled the barricades re-established outside the university, some carrying long plastic or metal tubes used to launch powerful fireworks against police. Inside the university, teacher and protest supporter Guillermo Contreras said "we are on maximum alert. We will fight their weapons with our spirit and dignity."
Under Mexican law, the university rector must give the police permission to enter. Rector Francisco Martinez, speaking on the university radio station Thursday, called the operation an "attack" and demanded that the police withdraw, which they eventually did.
Protest leaders later dismissed any chance of resuming negotiations with the federal Interior Department. Spokesman Florentino Lopez demanded direct talks with President Vicente Fox instead. Fox was in Uruguay on Friday attending the Iberoamerican summit and his office did not issue a statement.
Also Friday, Ruiz, who is accused of rigging the 2004 election to win office and organizing bands of thugs to attack dissidents, reiterated that he would not resign. He accused radical groups from Mexico City of participating in protests like Thursday's clash.
A free medical clinic near the university reported that more than 20 protesters had been treated for bruises, cuts and injuries related to tear gas in that confrontation. Lopez claimed the number of injured was much higher.
The 10 injured officers received various gas-fire burns and bruises, the federal police said in a statement.
At least nine people have died in the conflict, mostly protesters shot by police or armed gangs. Among the victims was activist-journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was shot in the stomach while filming a gunbattle last Friday.
The state prosecutor's office said Wednesday that two people were in custody in connection with Will's death. They were detained after residents identified them as the alleged shooters, and Mayor Manuel Martinez of Santa Lucia del Camino, where Will was killed, said the suspects are officials of the municipality, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City.
The Paris-based media rights group Reporters Without Borders on Friday condemned "shortcomings" in the investigation into his death "and the fact that three others allegedly involved have been able to escape."
"The investigation in no way absolves the Oaxaca state government of responsibility in Will's death and we reiterate our call for the creation of a federal commission of inquiry," the group said in a statement.
It added it had information indicating two Guatemalan journalists have gone missing in Oaxaca.
The embassies of the U.S., Canada, Britain, France and Germany all have warned their citizens to avoid traveling to the region.
The conflict has shattered tourism in the city, which is popular for its colonial architecture, cuisine and ancient ruins.
November 3, 2006: axaca protesters force police retreat, vow to rebuild downed barricades
Protesters vowed to re-establish street blockades in embattled Oaxaca City after forcing Mexican federal police to retreat at a key intersection following more than six hours of clashes involving tear gas and gasoline bombs.
Thursday's battle left 20 protesters, 10 police and three news photographers injured, after youths wearing bandannas over their face lobbed rocks, large bottle rockets and gasoline bombs at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons and the rocks pitched at them.
The clash occurred near the state university, where protesters demanding the ouster of the state's governor have set up headquarters and broadcast from a radio station after police retook the city's picturesque central plaza during a massive raid Sunday. Police control in other areas of the city has since been spotty.
Reverberations from the ongoing fight in Oaxaca city seized five months ago by a coalition of striking teachers and leftist protesters demanding the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor also reached the capital of Mexico City, where sympathizers temporarily blocked some downtown streets to demand police be withdrawn from Oaxaca.
In Oaxaca City, about 200 police wearing body armor and carrying riot shields advanced to the university gates and fought the protesters for more than six hours before retreating. The retreat left protesters claiming victory and pledging to re-establish barricades that had been dismantled in previous days.
Under Mexican law, the university rector must give the police permission to enter. Rector Francisco Martinez, speaking on the university radio station, called the operation an "attack" and demanded that the police withdraw.
Federal police said they simply intended to "restore order and peace" on the streets and didn't plan to storm the school.
Previous negotiations between the protesters and the interior department broke down, and on Thursday protest spokesman Florentino Lopez demanded direct talks with President Vicente Fox.
A free medical clinic near the university reported that more than 20 protesters had been treated for bruises, cuts and injuries related to tear gas. Lopez claimed the number of injured was much higher.
The 10 officers received various gas-fire burns and bruises, the federal police said in a statement.
Photographer David Jaramillo of the Mexican daily El Universal was hit in the arm by a large bottle rocket loaded with nails, and was hospitalized in stable condition, the statement said. Another two photographers suffered minor injuries after being hit by stones or nails packed in the rockets, which are about an inch in diameter and six inches (15 centimeters) long.
The university radio station reported that at least six demonstrators had been arrested and demanded their release.
The university is a stronghold of the movement to oust Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who is accused of rigging the 2004 election to win office and organizing bands of thugs to attack dissidents. Protesters including trade unionists, leftists and Indian groups have been flocking to Oaxaca since May to press their demands, and took over the center of the state capital for more than five months.
Many of the protesters retreated into the university campus on Sunday after thousands of federal police swept into Oaxaca center firing tear gas and tearing down camps and barricades. It was unclear exactly how many remained there.
At least nine people have died in the conflict, mostly protesters shot by police or armed gangs. Among the victims was activist-journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was shot in the stomach while filming a gunbattle Friday.
The state prosecutor's office said Wednesday that two people were in custody in connection with Will's death. They were detained after residents identified them as the alleged shooters, and Mayor Manuel Martinez of Santa Lucia del Camino, where Will was killed, said the suspects are officials of the municipality, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City. The embassies of the U.S., Canada, Britain, France and Germany all have warned their citizens to avoid traveling to the region.
The conflict has shattered tourism in the city, which is popular for its colonial architecture and ancient ruins.
Thursday's battle left 20 protesters, 10 police and three news photographers injured, after youths wearing bandannas over their face lobbed rocks, large bottle rockets and gasoline bombs at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons and the rocks pitched at them.
The clash occurred near the state university, where protesters demanding the ouster of the state's governor have set up headquarters and broadcast from a radio station after police retook the city's picturesque central plaza during a massive raid Sunday. Police control in other areas of the city has since been spotty.
Reverberations from the ongoing fight in Oaxaca city seized five months ago by a coalition of striking teachers and leftist protesters demanding the resignation of the Oaxaca state governor also reached the capital of Mexico City, where sympathizers temporarily blocked some downtown streets to demand police be withdrawn from Oaxaca.
In Oaxaca City, about 200 police wearing body armor and carrying riot shields advanced to the university gates and fought the protesters for more than six hours before retreating. The retreat left protesters claiming victory and pledging to re-establish barricades that had been dismantled in previous days.
Under Mexican law, the university rector must give the police permission to enter. Rector Francisco Martinez, speaking on the university radio station, called the operation an "attack" and demanded that the police withdraw.
Federal police said they simply intended to "restore order and peace" on the streets and didn't plan to storm the school.
Previous negotiations between the protesters and the interior department broke down, and on Thursday protest spokesman Florentino Lopez demanded direct talks with President Vicente Fox.
A free medical clinic near the university reported that more than 20 protesters had been treated for bruises, cuts and injuries related to tear gas. Lopez claimed the number of injured was much higher.
The 10 officers received various gas-fire burns and bruises, the federal police said in a statement.
Photographer David Jaramillo of the Mexican daily El Universal was hit in the arm by a large bottle rocket loaded with nails, and was hospitalized in stable condition, the statement said. Another two photographers suffered minor injuries after being hit by stones or nails packed in the rockets, which are about an inch in diameter and six inches (15 centimeters) long.
The university radio station reported that at least six demonstrators had been arrested and demanded their release.
The university is a stronghold of the movement to oust Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who is accused of rigging the 2004 election to win office and organizing bands of thugs to attack dissidents. Protesters including trade unionists, leftists and Indian groups have been flocking to Oaxaca since May to press their demands, and took over the center of the state capital for more than five months.
Many of the protesters retreated into the university campus on Sunday after thousands of federal police swept into Oaxaca center firing tear gas and tearing down camps and barricades. It was unclear exactly how many remained there.
At least nine people have died in the conflict, mostly protesters shot by police or armed gangs. Among the victims was activist-journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was shot in the stomach while filming a gunbattle Friday.
The state prosecutor's office said Wednesday that two people were in custody in connection with Will's death. They were detained after residents identified them as the alleged shooters, and Mayor Manuel Martinez of Santa Lucia del Camino, where Will was killed, said the suspects are officials of the municipality, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City. The embassies of the U.S., Canada, Britain, France and Germany all have warned their citizens to avoid traveling to the region.
The conflict has shattered tourism in the city, which is popular for its colonial architecture and ancient ruins.
October 29, 2006: Federal police converge on besieged Oaxaca one day after U.S. journalist killed
Protesters vowing to fight to the death hauled massive tree trunks and used semitrailers to block highways leading into Oaxaca Saturday as federal police with riot shields and rifles poured out of planes, preparing to crush five months of violent unrest.
With neat piles of rocks behind them ready for confrontation should police try to storm town, the demonstrators left just one lane of the main highway into the city open and were only allowing taxis and other local traffic through.
Nearby, a sign trumpeted tourist attractions and proclaimed "Welcome to Oaxaca!" It was a stark reminder of how far this picturesque city has slid toward chaos in violent protests to oust the state governor.
Shop owners shuttered their businesses after President Vicente Fox ordered federal police to intervene. Fox, who leaves office Dec. 1, had refused repeated requests to use force in Oaxaca. But gunbattles Friday that killed a U.S. journalist and at least two Mexicans apparently exhausted his patience.
Fox's Interior Department issued an ominous statement late Saturday demanding protest leaders "immediately hand over streets, plazas, public buildings and private property" so that federal authorities can "guarantee public order and adherence to the law, as well as preserve respect for the population's individual guarantees."
It was unclear how many officers of the Federal Preventative Police were converging on this long popular tourist destination, though police in gray uniforms and carrying shields poured off of transport planes at Oaxaca's airport, which was closed to commercial traffic.
Teacher's union leader Daniel Rosas said protesters believed 4,000 federal police had arrived.
Mexican Deputy Interior Secretary Arturo Chavez said late Saturday that the police operation would not begin Saturday night or early Sunday. Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal later said the government was still willing to resolve the conflict through dialogue.
In unrest that began with a teacher strike for higher pay, leftists have blocked streets for months demanding the ouster of Oaxaca state Gov. Ulises Ruiz. They claim the state government has sent gunmen and thugs to provoke them.
After Fox announced he was ordering in federal police, protesters fortified their positions by piling up sandbags and parking large trucks and buses across roads leading into the center of Oaxaca.
Some demonstrators blocked the main highway in from Mexico City, waving Mexican flags and chanting "Get out Ulises!"
"I think there's going to be violence," said Eutelma Cruz, a 54-year-old housewife and protester. "I hope (federal forces) intervene and find a peaceful solution."
Men also were seen removing broadcast equipment from one of the local radio stations seized by protesters months ago. A second station held by leftists remained on the air, urging Oaxaca's residents to prevent federal police from entering the city.
"We're not afraid. We were born to die," said Iris Hernandez, 29, who was guarding a roadblock.
Few people ventured from their homes. Across the heart of the city, nearly all shops and restaurants closed early. Street vendors packed up their wares and disappeared.
"We're afraid there is going to be more shooting," said Juan Lopez said as he pulled metal shutters down over the glass storefront of a sporting goods shop a half block from Oaxaca's leafy central plaza surrounded by arcaded colonial-era buildings.
Friday's deadly violence began when gunmen tried to remove a street blockade in a rough neighborhood. Journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, was hit in the abdomen and died later at a Red Cross hospital.
Oaxaca resident Esteban Zurrita was shot dead and the bullet-ridden body of another man, Emilio Alonso Fabian, was discovered about two miles away. A photographer for the Mexican newspaper Milenio was slightly injured.
Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and sold video on a freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze. He had been documenting the upheaval in Internet dispatches that showed strong sympathy for the protesters.
"What can you say about this movement, this revolutionary moment," he wrote in a dispatch dated Oct. 16. "You know it is building, growing, shaping, you can feel it, trying desperately for a direct democracy."
Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana, who has likened the protesters to urban guerrillas, said the shooting was sparked by angry townspeople defending themselves against the demonstrators.
"The people are fed up with permanent violence, threats and kidnappings," she said.
But U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said in a statement that the shooters may have been Oaxaca police, and the Mexico City newspaper El Universal published photos Saturday identifying some of the men firing at protesters as local officials.
Mayor Manuel Martinez Feria of the nearby town of Santa Lucia del Camino said five men who appeared in the photos brandishing pistols had been turned over to state officials for possible involvement in Will's killing. He identified them as two members of Santa Lucia's city council, two of that town's police officers and a former justice of the peace from another town.
Local police officers often out of uniform and armed gangs have staged sporadic attacks on protesters, and at least five other people have been killed.
Several other shootings and clashes were reported in Oaxaca on Friday, and Red Cross officials said Saturday they treated 18 additional victims of violence, though none suffered gunshot wounds.
Teachers went on strike in May demanding higher pay and better working conditions. But after police attacked one of their demonstrations in June, they extended their demands to include a call for Ruiz's resignation and were joined by leftists, students and Indian groups.
The struggle escalated into a fight for control of Oaxaca's streets as demonstrators occupied the central plaza, built barricades, seized radio and television stations, drove off local police and burned buses.
The protesters contend the 2004 governor's election was rigged by Ruiz, a member of the former longtime governing Institutional Revolutionary Party, which lost its hold on Mexico's presidency when Fox was elected six years ago.
Ruiz repeatedly has asked federal authorities to send troops to restore order, but Fox's government had insisted on trying to solve the dispute through negotiations.
Friday's clashes came a day after teachers agreed to end their strike, which has kept 1.3 million children out of classes across the southern state. The deal had been expected to take the sting out of the protests. But Rosas, the teacher's union leader, said late Saturday that Fox's decision to send federal forces could negate the agreement.
Oaxaca, famed for its colonial architecture and as a center of Indian handicrafts and cuisine, is one of the most famous inland tourist attractions in Mexico. Mountains overlooking the city hold the imposing ruins of the Zapotec city of Monte Alban.
With neat piles of rocks behind them ready for confrontation should police try to storm town, the demonstrators left just one lane of the main highway into the city open and were only allowing taxis and other local traffic through.
Nearby, a sign trumpeted tourist attractions and proclaimed "Welcome to Oaxaca!" It was a stark reminder of how far this picturesque city has slid toward chaos in violent protests to oust the state governor.
Shop owners shuttered their businesses after President Vicente Fox ordered federal police to intervene. Fox, who leaves office Dec. 1, had refused repeated requests to use force in Oaxaca. But gunbattles Friday that killed a U.S. journalist and at least two Mexicans apparently exhausted his patience.
Fox's Interior Department issued an ominous statement late Saturday demanding protest leaders "immediately hand over streets, plazas, public buildings and private property" so that federal authorities can "guarantee public order and adherence to the law, as well as preserve respect for the population's individual guarantees."
It was unclear how many officers of the Federal Preventative Police were converging on this long popular tourist destination, though police in gray uniforms and carrying shields poured off of transport planes at Oaxaca's airport, which was closed to commercial traffic.
Teacher's union leader Daniel Rosas said protesters believed 4,000 federal police had arrived.
Mexican Deputy Interior Secretary Arturo Chavez said late Saturday that the police operation would not begin Saturday night or early Sunday. Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal later said the government was still willing to resolve the conflict through dialogue.
In unrest that began with a teacher strike for higher pay, leftists have blocked streets for months demanding the ouster of Oaxaca state Gov. Ulises Ruiz. They claim the state government has sent gunmen and thugs to provoke them.
After Fox announced he was ordering in federal police, protesters fortified their positions by piling up sandbags and parking large trucks and buses across roads leading into the center of Oaxaca.
Some demonstrators blocked the main highway in from Mexico City, waving Mexican flags and chanting "Get out Ulises!"
"I think there's going to be violence," said Eutelma Cruz, a 54-year-old housewife and protester. "I hope (federal forces) intervene and find a peaceful solution."
Men also were seen removing broadcast equipment from one of the local radio stations seized by protesters months ago. A second station held by leftists remained on the air, urging Oaxaca's residents to prevent federal police from entering the city.
"We're not afraid. We were born to die," said Iris Hernandez, 29, who was guarding a roadblock.
Few people ventured from their homes. Across the heart of the city, nearly all shops and restaurants closed early. Street vendors packed up their wares and disappeared.
"We're afraid there is going to be more shooting," said Juan Lopez said as he pulled metal shutters down over the glass storefront of a sporting goods shop a half block from Oaxaca's leafy central plaza surrounded by arcaded colonial-era buildings.
Friday's deadly violence began when gunmen tried to remove a street blockade in a rough neighborhood. Journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, was hit in the abdomen and died later at a Red Cross hospital.
Oaxaca resident Esteban Zurrita was shot dead and the bullet-ridden body of another man, Emilio Alonso Fabian, was discovered about two miles away. A photographer for the Mexican newspaper Milenio was slightly injured.
Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and sold video on a freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze. He had been documenting the upheaval in Internet dispatches that showed strong sympathy for the protesters.
"What can you say about this movement, this revolutionary moment," he wrote in a dispatch dated Oct. 16. "You know it is building, growing, shaping, you can feel it, trying desperately for a direct democracy."
Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana, who has likened the protesters to urban guerrillas, said the shooting was sparked by angry townspeople defending themselves against the demonstrators.
"The people are fed up with permanent violence, threats and kidnappings," she said.
But U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said in a statement that the shooters may have been Oaxaca police, and the Mexico City newspaper El Universal published photos Saturday identifying some of the men firing at protesters as local officials.
Mayor Manuel Martinez Feria of the nearby town of Santa Lucia del Camino said five men who appeared in the photos brandishing pistols had been turned over to state officials for possible involvement in Will's killing. He identified them as two members of Santa Lucia's city council, two of that town's police officers and a former justice of the peace from another town.
Local police officers often out of uniform and armed gangs have staged sporadic attacks on protesters, and at least five other people have been killed.
Several other shootings and clashes were reported in Oaxaca on Friday, and Red Cross officials said Saturday they treated 18 additional victims of violence, though none suffered gunshot wounds.
Teachers went on strike in May demanding higher pay and better working conditions. But after police attacked one of their demonstrations in June, they extended their demands to include a call for Ruiz's resignation and were joined by leftists, students and Indian groups.
The struggle escalated into a fight for control of Oaxaca's streets as demonstrators occupied the central plaza, built barricades, seized radio and television stations, drove off local police and burned buses.
The protesters contend the 2004 governor's election was rigged by Ruiz, a member of the former longtime governing Institutional Revolutionary Party, which lost its hold on Mexico's presidency when Fox was elected six years ago.
Ruiz repeatedly has asked federal authorities to send troops to restore order, but Fox's government had insisted on trying to solve the dispute through negotiations.
Friday's clashes came a day after teachers agreed to end their strike, which has kept 1.3 million children out of classes across the southern state. The deal had been expected to take the sting out of the protests. But Rosas, the teacher's union leader, said late Saturday that Fox's decision to send federal forces could negate the agreement.
Oaxaca, famed for its colonial architecture and as a center of Indian handicrafts and cuisine, is one of the most famous inland tourist attractions in Mexico. Mountains overlooking the city hold the imposing ruins of the Zapotec city of Monte Alban.
October 28, 2006: Mexican president sends federal troops into violence-wracked southern city
President Vicente Fox announced Saturday he was sending federal security forces into the violence-wracked southern state capital of Oaxaca after a U.S. journalist and two Mexican men were killed by gunfire.
The clashes occurred Friday as leftist protesters barricaded streets as part of a five-month-old campaign to oust the governor.
The clashes occurred Friday as leftist protesters barricaded streets as part of a five-month-old campaign to oust the governor.
October 28, 2006: Shootout in besieged Mexican city kills U.S. journalist, two others
A New York journalist who documented upheaval throughout Latin America was killed along with two Mexican men in a shootout in the historic city of Oaxaca, where leftist protesters have been trying for five months to oust the governor. Several other people were injured.
The gunfire erupted in a rough neighborhood when armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters who are demanding the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, said a police official who was not authorized to speak on the record. Both sides fired but it was not clear who shot first, he said.
Bradley Roland Will, 36, was shot in the abdomen and died at a Red Cross hospital, police, witnesses and friends said. Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and sold video footage on a freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze.
Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana blamed the violence on the leftist protesters, whom she has compared to an urban guerrilla group. She said the armed men trying to move the blockade were angry residents defending themselves.
"The people are fed up with permanent violence, threats and kidnappings," Cana said.
But U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza said the armed group may have been police.
"It appears that Mr. Will was killed during a shoot out between what may have been local police," and protesters, Garza said in a written statement.
Protesters accused the governor of sending the armed men against them.
"Ulises Ruiz is trying to massacre our people," said protester Antonio Garcia.
AP Television footage taken at the scene shows people ducking for cover as shots rattle out from many directions. A group of six men are seen running through the street with Will.
Esteban Zurrita, a resident of Oaxaca, was also shot dead in the clash, said Cana.
The third victim was identified as Emilio Alonso Fabian, whose bullet-ridden body was found about two miles from the clash.
Oswaldo Ramirez, a photographer for the Mexico City daily newspaper Milenio was shot in the foot and taken to hospital, Milenio said on its Web site.
A second shoot-out erupted between protesters and an armed group outside the state prosecutors office and left three people injured, the police official said.
Protesters have taken over the historic city since June, building barricades, driving out police and burning buses. The protesters accuse the governor of rigging the 2004 election to win office and using violence against his opponents.
Many of the protesters have been striking teachers.
Friday's clash came a day after the teachers agreed to end their five-month-old strike, which has kept 1.3 million children out of classes in the state of Oaxaca. The strike's end was expected to ease the protests.
The teachers have been camped out in Oaxaca city's colonial center since May, when they first walked out to demand 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 Ruiz and were joined by leftists, students and Indian groups.
Police and armed gangs have led sporadic attacks on the protesters, and at least five people have been killed in violence related to the unrest.
The lawlessness has led to armed groups of protesters and other residents patrolling the streets, frequently capturing and beating suspected criminals.
Will had been documenting the upheaval in Internet dispatches for nearly a month. His reports showed he had strong sympathies with the protesters.
"What can you say about this movement, this revolutionary moment," he wrote in a dispatch dated Oct. 16. "You know it is building, growing, shaping, you can feel it, trying desperately for a direct democracy."
Dyan Neary, 25, of Hawaii, an ex-girlfriend and close friend, said Will had warned her that the situation was dangerous.
"He told me it was getting sketchy," Neary said tearfully. "He would always put himself on the front lines. He was a courageous guy. He really believed in truth, public awareness and justice. He was an amazing human being."
Neary said Will wasn't easily dissuaded from working on documentaries in dangerous environments. She said Will had traveled extensively through South and Latin America. He had been jailed and had guns pointed at his head, she said.
Neary said Will grew up outside of Chicago and graduated from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania in 1992.
Union leaders met with Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal in Mexico City on Friday to hammer out conditions for their return to classes.
After the meeting, the Interior Department and teachers union released statements condemning Friday's violence and saying they were making headway in coming to an agreement.
Ruiz has repeatedly asked federal authorities to send troops to restore order, but the government of President Vicente Fox has insisted on trying to solve the dispute through negotiations.
Associated Press Writer Adam Goldman contributed to this report from New York.
The gunfire erupted in a rough neighborhood when armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters who are demanding the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, said a police official who was not authorized to speak on the record. Both sides fired but it was not clear who shot first, he said.
Bradley Roland Will, 36, was shot in the abdomen and died at a Red Cross hospital, police, witnesses and friends said. Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and sold video footage on a freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze.
Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana blamed the violence on the leftist protesters, whom she has compared to an urban guerrilla group. She said the armed men trying to move the blockade were angry residents defending themselves.
"The people are fed up with permanent violence, threats and kidnappings," Cana said.
But U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza said the armed group may have been police.
"It appears that Mr. Will was killed during a shoot out between what may have been local police," and protesters, Garza said in a written statement.
Protesters accused the governor of sending the armed men against them.
"Ulises Ruiz is trying to massacre our people," said protester Antonio Garcia.
AP Television footage taken at the scene shows people ducking for cover as shots rattle out from many directions. A group of six men are seen running through the street with Will.
Esteban Zurrita, a resident of Oaxaca, was also shot dead in the clash, said Cana.
The third victim was identified as Emilio Alonso Fabian, whose bullet-ridden body was found about two miles from the clash.
Oswaldo Ramirez, a photographer for the Mexico City daily newspaper Milenio was shot in the foot and taken to hospital, Milenio said on its Web site.
A second shoot-out erupted between protesters and an armed group outside the state prosecutors office and left three people injured, the police official said.
Protesters have taken over the historic city since June, building barricades, driving out police and burning buses. The protesters accuse the governor of rigging the 2004 election to win office and using violence against his opponents.
Many of the protesters have been striking teachers.
Friday's clash came a day after the teachers agreed to end their five-month-old strike, which has kept 1.3 million children out of classes in the state of Oaxaca. The strike's end was expected to ease the protests.
The teachers have been camped out in Oaxaca city's colonial center since May, when they first walked out to demand 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 Ruiz and were joined by leftists, students and Indian groups.
Police and armed gangs have led sporadic attacks on the protesters, and at least five people have been killed in violence related to the unrest.
The lawlessness has led to armed groups of protesters and other residents patrolling the streets, frequently capturing and beating suspected criminals.
Will had been documenting the upheaval in Internet dispatches for nearly a month. His reports showed he had strong sympathies with the protesters.
"What can you say about this movement, this revolutionary moment," he wrote in a dispatch dated Oct. 16. "You know it is building, growing, shaping, you can feel it, trying desperately for a direct democracy."
Dyan Neary, 25, of Hawaii, an ex-girlfriend and close friend, said Will had warned her that the situation was dangerous.
"He told me it was getting sketchy," Neary said tearfully. "He would always put himself on the front lines. He was a courageous guy. He really believed in truth, public awareness and justice. He was an amazing human being."
Neary said Will wasn't easily dissuaded from working on documentaries in dangerous environments. She said Will had traveled extensively through South and Latin America. He had been jailed and had guns pointed at his head, she said.
Neary said Will grew up outside of Chicago and graduated from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania in 1992.
Union leaders met with Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal in Mexico City on Friday to hammer out conditions for their return to classes.
After the meeting, the Interior Department and teachers union released statements condemning Friday's violence and saying they were making headway in coming to an agreement.
Ruiz has repeatedly asked federal authorities to send troops to restore order, but the government of President Vicente Fox has insisted on trying to solve the dispute through negotiations.
Associated Press Writer Adam Goldman contributed to this report from New York.
October 28, 2006: Shootout in besieged Mexican city kills NYC journalist
A U.S. journalist from New York and two Mexican men were killed by gunfire in the Mexican city of Oaxaca, where leftist protesters have barricaded streets and occupied government buildings for five months in a bid to oust the governor. Several other people were injured.
The gunfire erupted in a rough Oaxaca neighborhood Friday when armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters who are demanding the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, said state officials and witnesses. Both sides fired but it was not clear who shot first.
Bradley Roland Will, 36, from New York City, was shot in the abdomen and died later at a Red Cross hospital, police, witnesses and friends said. Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and also sold video footage on freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze.
Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana blamed the violence on the leftist protesters, who she has said are like an urban guerrilla group. She said the armed men were angry residents defending themselves.
"The people are fed up with permanent violence, threats and kidnappings," Cana said.
However, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza said the armed group may have been police.
"It appears that Mr. Will was killed during a shoot out between what may have been local police," and protesters, Garza said in a written statement.
Protesters accuse the governor of sending the armed men against them.
"Ulises Ruiz is trying to massacre our people," said protester Antonio Garcia.
An Associated Press video taken at the scene shows people ducking for cover as shots rattle out from many directions. A group of six men are seen running through the street with Will.
Esteban Zurrita, a resident of Oaxaca, was also shot dead in the clash, said Cana.
The third victim was identified as Emilio Alonso Fabian, whose bullet-ridden body was found about two miles from the clash. Many of the protesters are teachers.
Oswaldo Ramirez, a photographer for the Mexico City daily Milenio was also shot in the foot at and taken to hospital, Milenio said on its Web site.
A second shoot-out erupted between protesters and an armed group outside the state prosecutors office and left three people injured, Cana said.
Protesters have taken over the historic city since for five months, building barricades, driving out police and burning buses. The protesters accuse the governor of rigging the 2004 election to win office and using violence against his opponents.
Friday's clash came a day after teachers agreed to end their five-month-old strike that has kept 1.3 million children out of classes in the state of Oaxaca a move that was expected to take the sting out of the protests.
The teachers have been camped out in Oaxaca city's colonial center since May when they first walked out to demand 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 and were joined by leftists, students and Indian groups.
Police and armed gangs have led sporadic attacks on the protesters, and at least six people have been killed in violence related to the unrest.
The lawlessness has led to armed groups of protesters and other residents patrolling the street, frequently capturing and beating suspected criminals.
Will, the U.S. journalist, had been documenting the upheaval in Internet dispatches. His reports showed he had strong sympathies with the protest movements.
"What can you say about this movement, this revolutionary moment," he wrote in a dispatch dated Oct. 16. "You know it is building, growing, shaping, you can feel it, trying desperately for a direct democracy."
Dyan Neary, 25, of Hawaii, an ex-girlfriend and close friend of Will, said he had warned her it the situation was dangerous.
"He told me it was getting sketchy," a tearful Neary said. "He would always put himself on the front lines. He was a courageous guy. He really believed in truth, public awareness and justice. He was an amazing human being."
Neary said Will wasn't easily dissuaded from working on documentaries in dangerous environments. She said Will had traveled extensively through South and Latin America. He had been jailed and had guns pointed at his head, she said.
On Thursday, a majority of Oaxaca teachers voted to end their walkout. Union leaders met with Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal in Mexico City on Friday to hammer out conditions for their return to classes.
After the meeting, the Interior Department and teachers union released statements condemning Friday's violence and saying they were making headway in coming to an agreement.
Ruiz has repeatedly asked federal authorities to send troops to restore order, but the government of President Vicente Fox has insisted on trying to solve the dispute through negotiations.
The conflict has been one of the biggest challenges for Fox, whose six-year term ends Dec 1.
Ambassador Garza urged the administration to resolve the problem.
"Mr. Will's senseless death, of course, underscores the critical need for a return to lawfulness and order in Oaxaca," Garza said.
Associated Press Writers Adam Goldman in New York City and Ioan Grillo in Mexico City contributed to this report.
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The gunfire erupted in a rough Oaxaca neighborhood Friday when armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters who are demanding the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, said state officials and witnesses. Both sides fired but it was not clear who shot first.
Bradley Roland Will, 36, from New York City, was shot in the abdomen and died later at a Red Cross hospital, police, witnesses and friends said. Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and also sold video footage on freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze.
Oaxaca Attorney General Lizbeth Cana blamed the violence on the leftist protesters, who she has said are like an urban guerrilla group. She said the armed men were angry residents defending themselves.
"The people are fed up with permanent violence, threats and kidnappings," Cana said.
However, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza said the armed group may have been police.
"It appears that Mr. Will was killed during a shoot out between what may have been local police," and protesters, Garza said in a written statement.
Protesters accuse the governor of sending the armed men against them.
"Ulises Ruiz is trying to massacre our people," said protester Antonio Garcia.
An Associated Press video taken at the scene shows people ducking for cover as shots rattle out from many directions. A group of six men are seen running through the street with Will.
Esteban Zurrita, a resident of Oaxaca, was also shot dead in the clash, said Cana.
The third victim was identified as Emilio Alonso Fabian, whose bullet-ridden body was found about two miles from the clash. Many of the protesters are teachers.
Oswaldo Ramirez, a photographer for the Mexico City daily Milenio was also shot in the foot at and taken to hospital, Milenio said on its Web site.
A second shoot-out erupted between protesters and an armed group outside the state prosecutors office and left three people injured, Cana said.
Protesters have taken over the historic city since for five months, building barricades, driving out police and burning buses. The protesters accuse the governor of rigging the 2004 election to win office and using violence against his opponents.
Friday's clash came a day after teachers agreed to end their five-month-old strike that has kept 1.3 million children out of classes in the state of Oaxaca a move that was expected to take the sting out of the protests.
The teachers have been camped out in Oaxaca city's colonial center since May when they first walked out to demand 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 and were joined by leftists, students and Indian groups.
Police and armed gangs have led sporadic attacks on the protesters, and at least six people have been killed in violence related to the unrest.
The lawlessness has led to armed groups of protesters and other residents patrolling the street, frequently capturing and beating suspected criminals.
Will, the U.S. journalist, had been documenting the upheaval in Internet dispatches. His reports showed he had strong sympathies with the protest movements.
"What can you say about this movement, this revolutionary moment," he wrote in a dispatch dated Oct. 16. "You know it is building, growing, shaping, you can feel it, trying desperately for a direct democracy."
Dyan Neary, 25, of Hawaii, an ex-girlfriend and close friend of Will, said he had warned her it the situation was dangerous.
"He told me it was getting sketchy," a tearful Neary said. "He would always put himself on the front lines. He was a courageous guy. He really believed in truth, public awareness and justice. He was an amazing human being."
Neary said Will wasn't easily dissuaded from working on documentaries in dangerous environments. She said Will had traveled extensively through South and Latin America. He had been jailed and had guns pointed at his head, she said.
On Thursday, a majority of Oaxaca teachers voted to end their walkout. Union leaders met with Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal in Mexico City on Friday to hammer out conditions for their return to classes.
After the meeting, the Interior Department and teachers union released statements condemning Friday's violence and saying they were making headway in coming to an agreement.
Ruiz has repeatedly asked federal authorities to send troops to restore order, but the government of President Vicente Fox has insisted on trying to solve the dispute through negotiations.
The conflict has been one of the biggest challenges for Fox, whose six-year term ends Dec 1.
Ambassador Garza urged the administration to resolve the problem.
"Mr. Will's senseless death, of course, underscores the critical need for a return to lawfulness and order in Oaxaca," Garza said.
Associated Press Writers Adam Goldman in New York City and Ioan Grillo in Mexico City contributed to this report.
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