Gael Garcia Bernal, Lila Downs Back Teachers Not Mexican Govt

Social media has been flooded with messages of support for the protesters killed in the violent clashes with Mexican police over education reform.

PHOTO GALLERY:
Brutal Crackdown Confronts Teachers' Strike in Oaxaca

On Monday, Mexican police attacked teachers striking against neoliberal education reforms in the southern state of Oaxaca, killing at least eight people and leaving dozens more injured, teleSUR correspondent Aissa Garcia reported.

In response to the violent deaths, thousands have taken to social media to express their condolences for the victims and demand an end to police repression.

Joining the outpouring of support were Mexican singer Lila Downs and actor Gael Garcia Bernal.

Downs took to Facebook to condemn the violence.

"Violence provokes more violence. Why provoke with confrontation and repression? If we have the same concerns: better education, respect toward students, respect toward teachers, respect toward life and society,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

Gael Garcia Bernal also leant his support, signing a petition to denounce police brutality and call for “dialogue and to freedom of those who have been detained.”

"Enrique Peña Nieto: The artistic community of Oaxaca protests against repression."

Other Facebook users have changed their profile picture to an image with the statement “I am with the teachers.”

Twitter too has been swamped with messages calling for action and justice for the victims of the violence.