February 4, 1999

ECATEPEC, Mexico (Reuters) - Five Mexican teachers, whose arrests for a protest occupation of the country's Senate sparked a series of street demonstrations, have been released on bail after over a month in prison, officials said on Thursday.

"It's a good thing that they have been able to leave prison," Education Minister Miguel Limon told reporters. But he said he hoped the violent protest for which the teachers were arrested would not be repeated.

The five teachers had been jailed 34 days before being released on a 32,000-pesos ($3,200) bail late Wednesday amid cheers from hundreds of colleagues.

The five elementary school teachers were arrested after their November 11 storming of the Senate, where they broke windows, fought with security guards and held legislators hostage for 10 hours in a protest for higher wages and greater independence.

Global Exchange note: The teachers were initially charged with holding legislators hostage, but these charges were later retracted.