MEXICO-VIOLENCE/ZOCALO RALLY Thousands rally in Mexico City's Zocalo Square over 43 missing students

Record ID: 214809

  • Title: MEXICO-VIOLENCE/ZOCALO RALLY Thousands rally in Mexico City's Zocalo Square over 43 missing students
  • Date: 21st November 2014
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 20, 2014) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS BURNING EFFIGY OF PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND CHANTING VARIOUS OF MARCHERS ARRIVING AT ZOCALO VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS AT ZOCALO PLAZA POSTERS: MEXICO WITH CROSS; POSTER READING 'IT WAS THE NARCO STATE, RESIGN PENA' C
  • Embargoed: 6th December 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA75NDIM9GADUW44EH8MGX1R77P
  • Story Text: Thousands of Mexicans filled Mexico City's main Zocalo Square on Thursday (November 20) to protest President Enrique Pena Nieto's handling of the apparent massacre of 43 trainee school teachers.
    Activists who participated in three major marches gathered in support of the students, apparently murdered after their abduction by corrupt police on September 26.
    Mexico has been convulsed by protests since the 43 students were taken from the southwestern city of Iguala by police working with a local drug gang and then very likely incinerated, according to the government, which is still investigating the incident.
    The three marches took place on the 114th anniversary of the day the Mexican Revolution to overthrow dictator Porfirio Diaz began in 1910. The protesters included relatives of the students. Many carried banners with slogans attacking the government such as "the state did it."
    "Once again, we ask for justice because they give us no other choice and if they don't give us justice, the people will find another way to have justice. They will do it through weapons and there will be no other choice," said protester Rogelio Castillo.
    Earlier in the day, police in riot gear faced down around 300 protesters near the airport in clashes.
    The government has been plunged into crisis by the violence in Iguala, where six people, including three other trainee teachers also died on the night in question.
    The disappearances of the students has been the toughest challenge yet to face Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who took office two years ago vowing to restore order in Mexico, where about 100,000 people have died in violence linked to organised crime since 2007.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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