Mexican bishops urge losing candidate to calm angry supporters

Published: 2006-07-10

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- Mexican bishops urged the loser of a presidential election to calm his angry supporters after the candidate charged fraud and vowed street protests. Electoral authorities declared Felipe Calderon of the ruling National Action Party the winner of July 2 elections, but Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the Democratic Revolution Party said the vote was fixed and is challenging the results in court. Lopez Obrador has asked supporters not to riot, and his aides say he will lead a peaceful protest in the style of Mahatma Gandhi, but it is unclear if he can contain his supporters. The election has left Mexico tense and deeply polarized, leading some to worry the protests could turn violent. More than 100,000 people, many visibly angry, crowded into Mexico City's central plaza July 8 to hear Lopez Obrador explain his fraud claims.

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