Mexico City, July 4 (RHC)-- Striking Mexican teachers, entering their third month of protest, announced over the weekend that they will hold an indefinite strike against neo-liberal education reform starting Tuesday.

The relaunch of strikes will be bigger and will integrate more states and other social organizations, said the CNTE union, which will begin with a march in Mexico City.

Among their demands are dialogue with state and federal officials for the repeal of the reform, punishment for the masterminds and executers of the deadly police repression in Nochixtlan and the release of all political prisoners detained during the protests.

They are also demanding the resignation of Minister of Education Aurelio Nuño Mayer and denouncing the ultimatum of Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong to end the blockades or face their forced removal.

Mexican media has reported that blockades in Oaxaca, initiated by the teachers and their supporters, have caused shortages and turned residents against the protesters, but agricultural and state authorities said that "it's a media campaign from the government to justify the repression" in a statement over the weekend.

Oaxaca has a long tradition of radical protest against the government, and many students, parents of students and other unions have joined in solidarity.