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Mother of Boy Killed in Protests Calls on Mexican Governor to Resign
Elia Tamayo, the mother of a 13-year-old boy who died following a clash between protesters and police in July, said in an interview with Efe that there would not be justice in the case until Rafael Moreno, the governor of the central Mexican state of Puebla, resigned.
“When my son fell wounded, they tried to buy me off so I would stay quiet. I am telling them today: my son’s death is not for sale,” Tamayo said during the interview at her house in the community of San Bernardino Chalchihuapan.
Jose Luis Tehuatle Tamayo sustained a head wound on July 9 during a clash between police and San Bernardino Chalchihuapan residents who had blocked a highway to demand the resumption of Civil Registry services in the town.
The boy was declared brain dead and died at a public hospital on July 19.
Puebla officials have said numerous times that the boy died after being hit by a rocket fired by protesters.
Elia Tamayo, who witnessed the clash, contends that the official version of events is incorrect.
Tamayo has said from the start that her son was hit by an object fired by police, saying later that she was pressured by officials to change her story about what happened.
“The hospital director and Elvia Trejo, a government official, had me, like, kidnapped because they did not like my statement. They used me and I said the governor was the only one to blame because he ordered (enforcement of) the law and also that they fire,” Tamayo said.
The protest occurred after a controversial law that allows police to use firearms and non-lethal weapons to break up violent protests, as well as to maintain order during emergencies and natural disasters, took effect in May.
Tamayo said that she was held against her will at the hospital where her son was being treated and offered scholarships for her four daughters and other benefits if stopped leveling allegations against police.
“I’m angry with the governor for being a liar. He does not deserve to remain (in office). He said, ‘if I don’t do things right, I’ll go,’” Tamayo said.
“They threatened to put me in jail, they lied and now everything continues the same … Nothing is going to bring back my son,” Tamayo said.
San Bernardino Chalchihuapan residents plan to stage a protest on Monday, when Mexico celebrates Independence Day, to demand that the governor be punished.
Jose Luis Tehuatle Tamayo and nine other civilians, including two minors, were injured in the July 9 protest along with 49 police officers.
Published in Latino Daily News
Source: http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/latino-daily-news/details/mother-of-boy-killed-in-protests-calls-on-mexican-governor-to-resign/31152#When:20:07:45Z
