Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico : A mayor and two local officials were among five people shot dead during a protest on Saturday in a southern Mexico town with a history of religious and political conflict.
People from several surrounding communities were protesting in the central square of San Juan Chamula when "individuals opened fire," said Juan Carlos Gomez Aranda, secretary general of the Chiapas state government.
The victims included the mayor, Domingo Lopez Gonzalez, town administrator Narciso Lunes Hernandez and councilman Miguel Lopez Gomez. The two others were a municipal government driver and a town resident.
The protesters demanded the construction of public works projects and that the town pay an arts program in cash, Gomez Aranda said.
The government urged the population to "maintain calm and trust that justice will be served."
Two weeks ago, residents protested in Chiapas' capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, and blocked a road. Police broke up that protest with tear gas.
People from several surrounding communities were protesting in the central square of San Juan Chamula when "individuals opened fire," said Juan Carlos Gomez Aranda, secretary general of the Chiapas state government.
The victims included the mayor, Domingo Lopez Gonzalez, town administrator Narciso Lunes Hernandez and councilman Miguel Lopez Gomez. The two others were a municipal government driver and a town resident.
The protesters demanded the construction of public works projects and that the town pay an arts program in cash, Gomez Aranda said.
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The government urged the population to "maintain calm and trust that justice will be served."
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Two weeks ago, residents protested in Chiapas' capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, and blocked a road. Police broke up that protest with tear gas.
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