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Tens of thousands march to support embattled mayor

Supporters of Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, their mouths covered with white masks, walk in the so-called ``March of Silence'' through one of Mexico City's main avenues on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

A capital typically clogged with traffic was thronged on Sunday by hundreds of thousands of people who marched into the main plaza to protest a government effort against Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that threatens to force him out of next year's presidential elections.

The police estimated that more than 1 million people participated in the march. Aides to the mayor estimated that there were 750,000 people. Several political observers described it as the biggest in the country's recent history.

After two weeks of heated political discourse and confusing legal maneuvers, the march was not the first to denounce the government's campaign against the mayor. But it was a dramatic illustration of seemingly growing support for Lopez Obrador and disappointment in President Vicente Fox.

The demonstrators were of all ages and walks of life. Some came from the southernmost corners of Mexico. There were men in business suits and women in traditional Indian clothes. And while some said they had been long-time supporters of the mayor, others said that even though they were not likely to vote for him they thought the government's campaign against him was unfair.

Unlike most other demonstrations, there was no real disorder or rowdiness. And people covered their mouths with hospital masks and marched without chanting.

"Our silence says everything," read many of the banners that floated above the crowds. Others depicted Fox as a traitor.

Rocio Jimenez Gonzalez, a 26-year-old lawyer, wore a banner that urged Mexico to follow the example being set in Ecuador.

"They got rid of their president," she said.

"It's time for Mexico to do the same. I am here to defend the democracy of my country, or what little there is of it," she added. "We cannot allow a few people in power to control the will of the majority by decree."

Fox did not comment on the demonstration on Sunday. His government has been widely criticized after Congress voted April 7 to lift Lopez Obrador's immunity so that he could stand trail in a minor land dispute -- a proceeding that could force the mayor to surrender his political ambitions. Those charges have plunged Fox's party and his Cabinet into open conflict.

Meanwhile, Lopez Obrador has reveled in the moment. He announced he would return to work as normal on Monday. And while he urged the government to back away from its case against him, he also sent his opponents a message of conciliation.

"I hope our adversaries will rectify this situation," he said, "that they will back away from their animosity and disqualifications."

"We are never going to bet on destroying our adversaries," he said. "The task of transforming the country requires tolerance, agreement, and, above all, no wasting time on political vengeance."
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