Indymedia Cameraman Killed In Oaxaca

A gun battle erupted between unidentified gunmen and leftists manning barricades in Oaxaca, Mexico killing a cameraman working for Indymedia New York. The days death toll was three. The situation in Oaxaca has become very precarious with drive-by shootings becoming frequent. The US ambassador to Mexico has issued a warning to Americans to think very, very hard before traveling to the once-popular tourist destination.

OAXACA, Mexico (Reuters) - Gunmen opened fire in Mexico's colonial city of Oaxaca on Friday, killing three people, including a U.S. journalist, near roadblocks set up by leftists pushing to topple a state governor.

Brad Will, a cameraman working with Indymedia New York, was shot in the chest and died before reaching the hospital, the independent news group said on its Web site.

Oaxaca's state prosecutor's office said two others, including a protesting teacher, were also shot to death.

Nine people, mostly protesters, have been killed in a conflict that began in Oaxaca state five months ago, when striking teachers and leftist activists occupied much of the colonial city, storming Congress and blocking hundreds of streets in an effort to oust state Gov. Ulises Ruiz.

The conflict has escalated with increasingly frequent drive-by style gun attacks against the protesters' barricades.

Will died in one of at least two shootouts on Friday in the city, a popular tourist spot. Teacher Emilio Alonso was shot in a separate attack.

Several people were wounded in the shootings.

A Reuters photographer said gunfire rattled for over an hour near barricades at the edge of the city, famous for its architecture, thriving arts scene and indigenous culture.

Earlier in the day, activists blocked highways near the city and burned vehicles. Flights were canceled amid worries that protesters would occupy the city's airport.

Protest leader Flavio Sosa called on the activists to be ready for further attacks.

"We must prepare to defend ourselves with bottles of gasoline, clubs, stones, whatever comes to hand," he said.

Tony Garza, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, called Will's death "senseless" and urged U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks associated with traveling to Oaxaca.

Obviously, there is a serious problem here. If the Mexican government can't get these protesters out of Oaxaca, this situation will claim more and more lives.

UPDATE: Mexican president Vicente Fox just announced that Mexican troops are being sent into the city to restore order.

OAXACA, Mexico - President Vicente Fox announced Saturday he was sending federal security forces into the violence-wracked southern state capital of Oaxaca after a U.S. journalist and two Mexican men were killed by gunfire.