Lopez Obrador backers seize tollbooths to force recount
by DANE SCHILLER
MEXICO CITY
They let drivers through for free and vow more acts of civil resistance throughout Mexico
Sticking their fingers in the Mexican government's eye, supporters of leftist presidential contender Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador temporarily took control of tollbooths outside the capital Tuesday and warned that their actions will spread nationwide.
Hundreds of people chanted and waved flags at morning commuters, letting them pass in and out of Mexico City without paying the minimum highway toll of about $3.50.
State and federal police at the scene said they were largely powerless, under orders not to inflame the situation by making arrests unless protesters got violent or destroyed property.
"Vote by vote," protesters shouted, repeating the battle cry of their movement to force a complete recount of a July 2 presidential election that Lopez Obrador lost to conservative Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party.
The seizure of the tollbooths prompted President Vicente Fox's spokesman, Ruben Aguilar, to threaten for the first time the use of force, the Associated Press reported. But protesters backed off before that could happen, leaving the booths after the end of morning rush hour.
"We are going to start bringing acts of civil resistance to the entire country," Guadalupe Acosta Naranjo, the secretary-general of Lopez Obrador's Democratic Revolution Party told reporters.
The actions were the latest examples of how Lopez Obrador's supporters intend to draw attention to their cause while staying peaceful.
Political analyst Juan Pardinas said the government knows it has to be especially tolerant.
"What we are seeing is the state's inability to enforce laws," he said, "because when they do, there is nothing but bloodshed and nothing is put in order."
The Federal Electoral Tribunal last Sunday rejected Lopez Obrador's demand for a complete recount, instead ordering a check of 9 percent of the nation's 130,000 voting precincts.
The election tribunal reserved the right to expand the recount if it found irregularities. The results could be made public today.
MEXICO CITY
They let drivers through for free and vow more acts of civil resistance throughout Mexico
Sticking their fingers in the Mexican government's eye, supporters of leftist presidential contender Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador temporarily took control of tollbooths outside the capital Tuesday and warned that their actions will spread nationwide.
Hundreds of people chanted and waved flags at morning commuters, letting them pass in and out of Mexico City without paying the minimum highway toll of about $3.50.
State and federal police at the scene said they were largely powerless, under orders not to inflame the situation by making arrests unless protesters got violent or destroyed property.
"Vote by vote," protesters shouted, repeating the battle cry of their movement to force a complete recount of a July 2 presidential election that Lopez Obrador lost to conservative Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party.
The seizure of the tollbooths prompted President Vicente Fox's spokesman, Ruben Aguilar, to threaten for the first time the use of force, the Associated Press reported. But protesters backed off before that could happen, leaving the booths after the end of morning rush hour.
"We are going to start bringing acts of civil resistance to the entire country," Guadalupe Acosta Naranjo, the secretary-general of Lopez Obrador's Democratic Revolution Party told reporters.
The actions were the latest examples of how Lopez Obrador's supporters intend to draw attention to their cause while staying peaceful.
Political analyst Juan Pardinas said the government knows it has to be especially tolerant.
"What we are seeing is the state's inability to enforce laws," he said, "because when they do, there is nothing but bloodshed and nothing is put in order."
The Federal Electoral Tribunal last Sunday rejected Lopez Obrador's demand for a complete recount, instead ordering a check of 9 percent of the nation's 130,000 voting precincts.
The election tribunal reserved the right to expand the recount if it found irregularities. The results could be made public today.
posted by Alice at
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
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