MEXICO: AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED AS POLICE OFFICERS CLASH WITH PEASANTS PROTESTING GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD NEW AIRPORT ON FARMLAND

Record ID: 230463

  • Title: MEXICO: AT LEAST SIX PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED AS POLICE OFFICERS CLASH WITH PEASANTS PROTESTING GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD NEW AIRPORT ON FARMLAND
  • Date: 19th July 2002
  • Summary: (W2) MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JULY 11, 2002) (REUTERS) 1. SLV PROTESTERS GATHERING; SLV POLICE CAR BURNING; SLV PROTESTER HOLDING MACHETE STANDING NEAR BURNING TYRES; SLV POLICE CAR ON FIRE; MV PROTESTERS BURNING TYRES IN STREET (6 SHOTS) 0.27 2. SLV PROTESTERS CHASING TRUCK; SLV PROTESTERS TAKING OVER COCA COLA TRUCK (2 SHOTS) 0.37 3. SLV HOSTAGE ON BACK OF TRUCK WITH ROPE AROUND NECK BEING HELD BY PROTESTERS; GETTING OUT OF TRUCK AND WALKING (2 SHOTS) 0.55 4. MV PROTESTER TELLING DEMONSTRATORS TO STAY PUT TO SECURE HIGHWAYS; SLV DEMONSTRATORS LOOKING ON 1.04 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PEASANT LEADER, JUAN SANCHEZ, SAYING "The governor responsible for what happens and the blood that he takes from our people he will pay for." 1.13 6. SLV DEMONSTRATORS LOOKING ON; MV TYRES BURNING 1.24 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: OUTSIDE MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVA5UB7LN9FL0MKZAE9D31FFO3IO
  • Story Text: At least six police have been injured outside Mexico
    City as officers clashed with peasants protesting government
    plans to build a new international airport on farmland.

    According to authorities, violence erupted when police
    blocked demonstrators from the town of San Salvador Atenco as
    they tried to take their protest to state Gov. Arturo Montiel,
    who was appearing at an event in a nearby town.

    "The governor responsible for what happens and the blood
    that he takes from our people he will pay for," said peasant
    leader, Juan Sanchez.

    Police arrested 15 people in the protests and demonstrators
    were holding at least four people hostage, including
    journalists, in nearby Texcoco demanding the release of their
    colleagues.

    Protesters armed with sticks and machetes burned three
    police cars and protesters told local radio that they would
    kill the hostages if their demands were not met.

    The new airport project has sparked controversy since it
    was announced in October by the government.

    Local peasant farmers say money offered by the government
    in exchange for their lands cannot compensate them for
    generations of labor on their land and in their community.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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