Juárez vendors' removal turns violent

By Louie Gilotand Jake Rollow
El Paso Times

What was supposed to be the peaceful removal of street vendors from Downtown Juárez turned into a riot Monday night, officials said Tuesday.

City officials have been trying to boost tourism by removing the clutter of souvenir vendors around the Plaza de Armas, the town square in front of the Juárez cathedral.

In January, they opened an indoor market and asked vendors to move indoors.

Most vendors heeded the call but found that business was slower indoors.

But at 11 p.m., more than 400 Juárez police officers, many in riot gear, were called in "to provide support," municipal police spokes woman Luz de Carmen Soza said.

About 40 street-vendor stands were destroyed, some vendors were detained for throwing things at police, and some merchandise was seized.

Later, about 70 people marched toward the Juárez city hall.