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Mexico missing students: Capital braced for mass protests Mexico missing students: Capital braced for mass protests
(35 minutes later)
Relatives of 43 missing Mexican students, who the authorities say were murdered by a drugs gang, have arrived in the capital ahead of mass protests.Relatives of 43 missing Mexican students, who the authorities say were murdered by a drugs gang, have arrived in the capital ahead of mass protests.
Convoys carrying the families arrived in Mexico City on Thursday after touring the country to rally support.Convoys carrying the families arrived in Mexico City on Thursday after touring the country to rally support.
The Mexican authorities say local police handed the students to a drug gang who then murdered them. Many remain unconvinced by the official explanation and still hope the students will be found alive.
But some families of the missing are unconvinced by this explanation and still hope they will be found alive. Masked protesters have already clashed with police near the airport, hours before three marches were due to start.
Francisco Lagro, father of 19-year-old Magdaleno, one of those missing, has been travelling on one of the caravans.Francisco Lagro, father of 19-year-old Magdaleno, one of those missing, has been travelling on one of the caravans.
"It's been almost two months without knowing where they are. We don't know anything and we're desperate," he said."It's been almost two months without knowing where they are. We don't know anything and we're desperate," he said.
"What are they doing? In what conditions? Do they get any water or food? Are they tied up? We have so many questions.""What are they doing? In what conditions? Do they get any water or food? Are they tied up? We have so many questions."
President's test Violent clashes
Thousands of people are expected to take part in the march in the capital, which starts at 17:00 local time (23:00 GMT). Protests are also under way in other parts of Mexico and abroad. Thousands of people are expected to take part in three protest marches in the capital, due to start at 17:00 local time (23:00 GMT).
In one of the first rallies of the day, hooded protesters clashed with police close to Mexico City's international airport. They will converge on Mexico City's main square, or Zocalo, and will be led by the relatives of the students.
Witnesses say some of the protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police officers who had been trying to disperse them. A small protest turned violent near Mexico City's international airport, when some 200 hooded protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police officers who had been trying to disperse them.
Police say no-one was injured.
Many shops and businesses were reportedly closed on Thursday ahead of the demonstrations.Many shops and businesses were reportedly closed on Thursday ahead of the demonstrations.
Demonstrators have also called for a nationwide strike. Demonstrators have also called for a nationwide strike. Protests are also under way in other parts of Mexico and abroad.
The abduction has galvanised opposition to rampant political corruption and violence, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Mexico City.The abduction has galvanised opposition to rampant political corruption and violence, says the BBC's Wyre Davies in Mexico City.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has accused some of the protestors of trying to "destabilise" the state. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has accused some of the protesters of trying to "destabilise" the state.
Analysts say it is the biggest challenge he has faced in his two years of office. Analysts say the issue is the biggest challenge he has faced in his two years of office.
The students, all trainee teachers, went missing after attending a protest in Iguala, Guerrero State.The students, all trainee teachers, went missing after attending a protest in Iguala, Guerrero State.
Forensic tests are being carried out on bodies found in mass graves in the state.Forensic tests are being carried out on bodies found in mass graves in the state.
More than 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in Mexico in the last decade.More than 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in Mexico in the last decade.