Teacher's Union Riots in Mexico: Ram Cops w/Barricades (5 Cops Injured), Police Fire Tear Gas

"Clashes erupt as Mexican president visits city"

Feb. 15, 2011

OAXACA, Mexico -- Police fired tear gas and clashed for several hours Tuesday with teachers protesting a visit by President Felipe Calderon to the colonial city of Oaxaca.

The protests are reminiscent of unrest that paralyzed the southern city for five months in 2006 and left at least a dozen people dead.

The Section 22 teachers union said 20 protesters were injured during the running clashes, which lasted several hours. Police at the scene said five officers were hurt. Reporter Gildardo Mota of Radio Rama said he was struck on the left leg by a bullet. It was unclear who fired the live ammunition.

The violence broke out in Oaxaca's main plaza. The protesters torched a government vehicle and beat the Oaxaca state Public Safety Secretary Marco Tulio Lopez when he tried to call for calm outside the government offices.

Section 22 was the same union that began the 2006 protests.

Section 22 leaders said Tuesday they were protesting a decree that Calderon signed Monday giving parents tax breaks on private school tuition.

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[link to www.miamiherald.com]

A tractor trailer used to transport police riot gear and other equipment was set ablaze by protestors from the Teacher's Union in the main square in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Protestors kept firefighters who arrived on the scene from reaching the tractor trailor that was fully engulfed in flames.

"Police and teachers clash in Oaxaca over Mexican president's visit"

Feb. 16, 2011

More that 12,000 members of the Section 22 teachers union on Wednesday blocked major highways in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca and cancelled classes in more than 15,000 schools when teachers protestin a visit by President Felipe Calderón clashed with police on Tuesday, La Jornada newspaper reported.

Protesters, who have vowed to continue with the roadblocks and demonstrations until their demands are met, are calling for the resignation of local political and education leaders, including the Public Safety Secretary Marco Tulio Lopez who was beaten by protesters on Tuesday.

The roadblocks have affected hundreds of motorists, including those coming from nearby states, like Chiapas and Veracruz.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters who tried to interrupt a meeting between President Calderón and Oaxaca Gobernor Gabino Cué. They were protesting the presence of Calderón, who was signing various decrees, including one that will give parents tax breaks on private school tuition.

More than 14 people were wounded and hospitalized, local media reported.

[link to en.europeonline-magazine.eu]

In 2006, the city of Oaxaca was paralyzed for five months after teachers went on strike to demand higher pay and the resignation of Gov. Ulises Ruiz.