Mexican police, protesters clash during president’s visit to violent border city

Police disperse protest against Mexican president

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico — Mexican police have broken up a protest against President Felipe Calderon’s visit to a northern border city terrorized by drug gang violence.

Police have dragged away dozens of demonstrators outside a convention center where Calderon is to announce a new plan for curbing violence in Ciudad Juarez and other cartel strongholds.

The protesters are demanding the president resign after a recent massacre blamed on drug gangs in the city across from El Paso, Texas. Many of the 15 dead were teenagers with no known gang ties.

The protesters held signs Thursday reading “Calderon out!” Police forced them across the street, shoving them through muddy puddles.