Pato
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Anti-Army protests flare in northern cities
Anti-Army protests flare in northern cities
BY JULIE WATSON
Associated Press
CIUDAD JUAREZ - Hundreds of people blocked bridges to the United States in three border cities Tuesday, demanding the Army leave in another challenge
for the government as it struggles to quell escalating drug violence.
The protests in Ciudad Juárez blocked traffic for at least an hour across three bridges connecting the city to El Paso, Texas. Similar protests broke
out on bridges in the border cities of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, while demonstrators blocked roads in Monterrey and the Gulf state of Veracruz.
It was the largest display of discontent against the Army´s role in an anti-drug crackdown since President Felipe Calderón began deploying soldiers
across the country two years ago to fight cartels. About 45,000 soldiers are now spread out across Mexico.
Government and Army officials claimed that drug cartels organized similar protests in Monterrey earlier this month to undermine the crackdown. Federal
officials had no immediate comment on Tuesday´s protests.
Human rights activists say there are legitimate complaints about abuses by soldiers, but they say it is unclear who has been behind the
demonstrations.
About 30 people, mostly women and children, blocked the Paso del Norte bridge leading from Ciudad Juárez to downtown El Paso. They shouted "soldiers,
get out!" as they stood in front of about 20 troops in green Army pickup trucks. One person held a sign reading, "Get out of Juárez, thieving abusive
soldiers."
Brenda Contreras, a 22-year-old mother of two, said the city has only become more dangerous since troops arrived. She said soldiers detained her
32-year-old husband during a raid at a car wash three months ago, and she has not heard from him despite filing a complaint with the Defense
Secretariat.
"I saw him on the floor and they wouldn´t let me get near him. Where he is, only the Army knows. What am I going to tell my daughters?" she said.
Not all city residents, however, are against the Army´s presence.
"Knowing that the soldiers are out there all over the city makes me feel that the city is more protected," Cynthia de los Santos, 32, a secretary at a
Ciudad Juárez law firm, said.
In Nuevo Laredo, 150 people blocked three bridges leading to Laredo, Texas, for several hours. Many were masked men, but some were women and children.
Protesters also blocked bridges leading to Texas from Reynosa, the town´s mayor, Oscar Luebbert, told Radio Fórmula.
In Monterrey, about 200 people protested in front of City Hall, choking traffic for about an hour. The demonstrators - women, children and some men
covering their faces with scarves and T-shirts - dispersed peacefully when police in riot gear arrived.
Protesters also blocked two highways in Veracruz.
http://www.thenews.com.mx/home/imprime_home.asp?cve_edicion_...
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CaboRon
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If they want to block access to the United States of America ...
Then fine, close the border.
CaboRon
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Hook
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Interesting that they would choose to block roads leading into the U.S. I wonder what message that was intended to send?
Maybe a message to foreigners needing to use those routes for return home?
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CaboRon
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
Interesting that they would choose to block roads leading into the U.S. I wonder what message that was intended to send?
Maybe a message to foreigners needing to use those routes for return home? |
If they want to hold Americans hostage,
We might have to send in the Marines !!!!!!!!!!!!
Semper Fi !
CaboRon
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by CaboRon
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
Interesting that they would choose to block roads leading into the U.S. I wonder what message that was intended to send?
Maybe a message to foreigners needing to use those routes for return home? |
If they want to hold Americans hostage,
We might have to send in the Marines !!!!!!!!!!!!
Semper Fi !
CaboRon |
Now, THAT would probably cause an anti-military protest that WASN'T funded by the cartels. 
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CaboRon
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DENNIS
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Ciudad Juárez is a snake-pit and should be totally eliminated. At least the border crossing should be closed. What good is the place anyway?
Nothing but drug activity and murder.
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CaboRon
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Ciudad Juárez is a snake-pit and should be totally eliminated. At least the border crossing should be closed. What good is the place anyway?
Nothing but drug activity and murder. |
Good thought Dennis !
Maybe we should selectivly close some of the border crossings with Mexico.
CaboRon
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Dave
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Good! They're a joke.
I say get rid of 'em. All they do is make it more difficult to get from point 'a' to 'b'. I don't even speak to them anymore. Not one friggin
word. Just roll down the windows or open the trunk.
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