Human rights groups are demanding that Mexico immediately release detained teachers and calling for solidarity against the “neoliberal capitalist reform the government calls 'education reform.'”
Police fired on protesters while trying to evict them from a road blockade on the Oaxaca-Puebla highway Sunday. Teachers from the dissident CNTE union set up the blockade as part of protests over the flawed reforms implemented by President Enrique Peña Nieto and the arrest of several of the unions' leaders last week.
Mexican Interior Minister Osorio Chong finally agreed Monday to meet with representatives of the CNTE.
The violence comes less than a week before Peña Nieto is due to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Obama in Ottawa.
The IDEA Network - Red Sepa is following the developments in Mexico and is launching a campaign to appeal to former teacher Trudeau to question the Mexican president on state repression.
Another Vancouver solidarity rally is being planned for Sunday at 1pm outside the Art Gallery.