Huge rally marks support for mayor of Mexico City

MEXICO CITY – Hundreds of thousands of people jammed downtown Mexico City on Sunday in a display of support for Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the leading candidate in the presidential election next year whose entanglement in a legal case could keep him off the ballot.

The march culminated in a rally in the city’s main square, where Lopez Obrador called the prosecution he faces “not a legal issue but a political one. … The goal is to take away my political right so my name doesn’t appear on the ballot in the 2006 elections.”

Lopez Obrador spoke of his desire to fight poverty and create economic opportunities for poor citizens. He said his political enemies, who he said are led by President Vicente Fox, are conspiring to keep him out of the presidential race.

Lopez Obrador and his supporters say he is being railroaded over a relatively minor violation of the law – allegedly ignoring a 2001 court order to cease construction of an access road to a hospital.

Fox has said the case has nothing to do with politics, but demonstrates Mexico’s justice system is capable of impartially prosecuting even the most popular and powerful politicians.

Polls have found most Mexicans believe Lopez Obrador’s side of the story.

Throngs of people wearing white masks to symbolize the “march of silence” snaked for several miles along Mexico City’s Reforma Boulevard to the square where Lopez Obrador addressed his supporters.

Many people wore yellow shirts, bandanas and flags bearing Lopez Obrador’s likeness, and carried signs that said “We’re with you” or “They haven’t heard our voice, maybe they’ll hear our silence.”

The march appeared to be peaceful and there were no reports of violence. Lopez Obrador repeatedly urged his supporters not to engage in violence.

He told the crowd that he intended to report to his office for work this morning. Since the Mexican Congress stripped him of his immunity from prosecution earlier this month, he has not returned to his office and it has been unclear whether he is still mayor. He contends he is – while his critics say he is not.

Officials of the federal attorney general’s office have said they will arrest the mayor if he tries to report for duty at his office, setting up a potential confrontation this morning.

“Legally I’m still the head” of the city’s government, Lopez Obrador said. “So tomorrow I’m going back to work, to keep serving the good people of Mexico City.”