Mexico commemorates 1968 student massacre

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Mexico flew its flag at half-mast to pay tribute to student protesters killed by troops during 1968 demonstrations in Mexico City.

"We will remember the October 2 events and the fact that the use of force is not a solution to problems arising from lack of freedom and injustice," Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in a live Twitter broadcast Wednesday.

He emphasized the state will no longer allow the use of force against citizens "even when it comes to the protection of state interests" as he announced Mexico is in "a new stage. ” The student movement "was not in vain," he said, because it began a change in the process which today Mexico is demonstrating the results of the transformation.

Mexico City was preparing the 1968 Olympic Games when mass student rallies began across the nation after a police crackdown on a protest.

The Oct. 2 rally planned to kick-off in the Tlatelolco area of the capital but exits were blocked by armed forces.

Student leaders decided to cancel the demonstrations, but shots were fired. The death toll is still unknown but it is estimated that dozens of student were killed and hundreds injured.

Mexico's main universities also went on strike to participate in Wednesday's commemorative march.