Mexico Police Clash With Protesters Opposing Pena Nieto Plan
Mexico Police Clash With Protesters Opposing Pena Nieto Plan
By Nacha Cattan & Eric Martin - Oct 3, 2013 9:38 AM CT
Mexico City police blocked the entrance to the stock exchange yesterday as thousands rallied on the main business boulevard and clashed with officers to protest President Enrique Pena Nieto’s economic agenda.
Police said about 30,000 students, teachers and supporters closed off the Paseo de la Reforma boulevard, with hundreds outside the Bolsa Mexicana (BOLSAA) and U.S. Embassy. Officers clad in riot gear used fire extinguishers and tear gas to defend themselves against protesters attacking with sticks, rocks and Molotov cocktails in the capital’s historic center. Thirty two officers were injured and 102 protesters detained, Mexico City police said in a statement.
Teachers clashed with police in the capital’s main square on Sept. 13 and have been blocking access to government buildings and the airport off and on since August to protest Pena Nieto’s education overhaul passed last month, which requires evaluations for hiring and promotion. The crowds grew yesterday as students joined the marches to commemorate the anniversary of the Tlatelolco massacre, when government troops shot and killed student protesters on Oct. 2, 1968.
Ricardo Zarate, 16, a Mexico City public school student, said he was marching “to commemorate October 2 and against the structural reforms,” government proposals ranging from increasing tax collection to opening state-owned oil producer Petroleos Mexicanos to more private investment.
“The reforms will hurt everyone and only benefit a few,” Zarate said. “This is like it was in 1968. The students rose up against the government. Now we’re doing the same.”
More:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-03/mexico-police-clash-with-protesters-opposing-pena-nieto-plan-1-.html
(Imagine there could be a country where the oligarchs' children protest against a government working to help the people and not just a few.)