Down Mexico Way

Supporters of the loser in Mexico's presidential election are choking the capitol city of that country in an attempt to influence the court that has to certify the election. They are setting up camps right in the middle of major intersections.

MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Supporters of a defeated Mexican leftist presidential candidate blocked major arteries in the heart of Mexico City and vowed to hold their ground until the electoral court orders a vote recount.

Hours earlier, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador rallied more than one million supporters in the capital to denounce alleged election fraud they blamed for his narrow defeat four weeks ago.

"I proposed to them that we stay here, in a permanent assembly, until the resolution of the (electoral) court," the former Mexico City mayor said at the rally in El Zocalo, the main square of the capital.

Government officials said some 1.2 million of his supporters filled the capital's streets chanting "no to fraud" and calling for a vote-by-vote recount of the 41.7 million ballots cast in the July 2 election.

Lopez Obrador asked his backers to set up 47 camping sites across the gridlocked city's main thoroughfares, promising they would be entertained with art and performances while peacefully lobbying for his cause.

"I told them I myself will be living in one of those sites while we are holding these meetings," he said.

"I know that what I propose is not easy, but it is essential for our cause."

Five hours after his speech, dozens of tents were already installed on two of the capital's main arteries as the sit-ins got under way ahead of the Monday morning rush hour.

One cannot help but wonder whether Hugo Chavez's hand is in this mess somewhere. That AMLO is taking advice from Al Gore's former campaign staffers seems quite likely as well.

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  By FrauBudgie, Monday, 31 July , 2006 @ 7:20 am

  Good question — I was also wondering if the buses were paid for with Venezuelan oil money.

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  By Gaius, Monday, 31 July , 2006 @ 7:22 am

  Someone’s bankrolling this whole thing.

Other Links to this Post

1. Right Truth — Monday, 31 July , 2006 @ 7:36 am

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