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Mexico missing students: Capital sees mass protests Mexico missing students: Capital sees mass protests
(about 1 hour later)
Relatives of 43 missing Mexican students, who the authorities say were murdered by a drugs gang, have led mass protests in the capital. Relatives of 43 missing Mexican students have led mass protests in the capital demanding action from the government to find them.
The marches were largely peaceful but some protesters clashed with police near the presidential palace. The families from Guerrero State arrived in Mexico City after touring the country.
Convoys carrying the families arrived in Mexico City on Thursday after touring the country to rally support. The students, all trainee teachers, went missing after attending a protest in Iguala, Guerrero State.
Many remain unconvinced by the official explanation for the students' disappearance and hope they are alive. Many remain unconvinced by the official explanation that the students were murdered by a drugs gang.
Masked protesters clashed with police near the airport hours before the three marches started. Forensic tests are being carried out on bodies found in mass graves in the state.
Francisco Lagro, father of 19-year-old Magdaleno, one of those missing, was travelling on one of the caravans towards the capital on Thursday. The mayor of Iguala Jose Luis Abarca has been arrested facing accusations that he ordered police to confront the students on the day of their disappearance on 26 September.
"It's been almost two months without knowing where they are. We don't know anything and we're desperate," he said. In the past decade, more than 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in Mexico in the last decade.
"What are they doing? In what conditions? Do they get any water or food? Are they tied up? We have so many questions."
Analysis: Wyre Davies, BBC News, Mexico CityAnalysis: Wyre Davies, BBC News, Mexico City
Corruption and political violence are endemic in Mexico. In the last decade, 100,000 people have died and 27,000 people have gone missing.Corruption and political violence are endemic in Mexico. In the last decade, 100,000 people have died and 27,000 people have gone missing.
Yet this single incident, the disappearance of 43 students in the southern state of Guerrero, has galvanised all of this opposition here in the centre of Mexico city.Yet this single incident, the disappearance of 43 students in the southern state of Guerrero, has galvanised all of this opposition here in the centre of Mexico city.
Everyone at this march is indignant. They're angry that the government of Enrique Pena Nieto has failed to get on top of this crisis.Everyone at this march is indignant. They're angry that the government of Enrique Pena Nieto has failed to get on top of this crisis.
We don't know what happened to the 43 students. We don't even know if they're still alive.We don't know what happened to the 43 students. We don't even know if they're still alive.
What we do know is that they were abducted almost certainly on the orders of a local politician allied to local gangs in the state of Guerrero.What we do know is that they were abducted almost certainly on the orders of a local politician allied to local gangs in the state of Guerrero.
Many Mexicans have simply had enough, and they want their government to find out what happened.Many Mexicans have simply had enough, and they want their government to find out what happened.
Main square Scuffles
Thousands of people took part in three protest marches in the capital, which started at 17:00 local time (23:00 GMT).Thousands of people took part in three protest marches in the capital, which started at 17:00 local time (23:00 GMT).
Many thousands converged on Mexico City's main square, or Zocalo.Many thousands converged on Mexico City's main square, or Zocalo.
Several hundred protesters gathered near the presidential palace, where police tried to push them back using water cannon. There are no reports of any injuries. Several hundred protesters gathered near the presidential palace, where police tried to push them back using water cannon.
In the violence near Mexico City's international airport earlier on Thursday, some 200 hooded protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police officers who had been trying to disperse them. But the protest itself was peaceful with only small groups of protesters throwing bottles and fireworks at the presidential palace.
Many shops and businesses were reportedly closed because of the marches. Francisco Lagro, father of 19-year-old Magdaleno, one of those missing, was travelling on one of the caravans that arrived in the capital on Thursday.
"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."
In violence near Mexico City's international airport before the marches began, some 200 hooded protesters threw rocks and petrol bombs at police officers who had been trying to disperse them.
Demonstrators have also called for a nationwide strike. Protests also took place in other parts of Mexico and abroad.Demonstrators have also called for a nationwide strike. Protests also took place 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.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has accused some of the protesters 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 the issue 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.
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.
Have you been taking part in protests? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.Have you been taking part in protests? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.
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