Update From Oaxaca: Standoff Intensifies as Police Raid State University

In Mexico, federal police dressed in riot gear stormed the state university in Oaxaca on Thursday where protesters had set up headquarters. The raid began at about 8 a.m. but eight hours later the police had to retreat after a day of clashes. It marked the most intense fighting since Mexican President Vicente Fox ordered thousands of federal police into the city to crush the popular uprising.

Over the past five months, the residents of Oaxaca - sparked by a teachers strike - had turned the city into an autonomous zone. The police and official government had been kicked out - in its place the protesters formed the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca or APPO. The University has served as a center of operations in part because it houses Radio Universidad. On Thursday, Radio Universidad remained on the air despite the police attacks.

John Gibler joins us on the phone from Oaxaca. He is an independent journalist and human rights fellow with Global Exchange.

* John Gibler. Independent journalist based in Mexico and a Human Rights Fellow with Global Exchange.

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