Police in Mexico City have clashed with protesters during an operation to clear a square occupied by striking teachers. Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to remove the striking teachers who had been camped out in the city's main square, the Zocalo, for weeks. Some protesters responded with petrol bombs as police moved into the square, after a government deadline for the teachers to leave passed. The authorities said they wanted to clear the Zocalo square for Independence Day celebrations at the weekend, and issued a deadline of Friday. Many of the protesters did leave peacefully by Friday, but some remained defiant at the site - and police backed by armored vehicles and helicopters moved in. Officers tore down the teacher's temporary shelters and put out small fires started by demonstrators. They also made a number of arrests. The teachers were taking to the streets to protest against education reforms being made by the government, and the action was called for by teaching unions. However, it is thought that some radical anti-government activists also took part in the demonstrations - not just teachers. The reforms being made include performance-related tests for teachers.
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