OAXACA, Mexico, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Riot police backed by helicopters and armored trucks advanced on the Mexican tourist city of Oaxaca on Sunday, meeting little initial resistance from protesters demanding the removal of the state governor.

Mexico sent the riot force to the pretty colonial town, where striking teachers and activists have occupied streets and buildings since May, after gunmen thought to be local police killed three people including a U.S. journalist on Friday.

Overnight, the protesters, who are pushing to topple state Gov. Ulises Ruiz, abandoned many of the barricades they had built throughout the city and said they would avoid confrontation with the police.

AlertNet news is provided by

del.icio.us  |   Digg  |   NewsVine  |   Reddit