Supporters of presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, including Sen. Elias Miguel Moreno Brisuela (left), of the Democratic Revolution Party, clash with police outside Mexico's Congress on Aug. 14.

Lopez Obrador's backers also picketed the Federal Electoral Tribunal as it met to resolve election disputes, and maintained camps across central Mexico City.

About eight protesters, including at least two federal lawmakers, were injured in the confrontation. Later, the leftists briefly set up their encampment on a street further away from Congress as hundreds of riot police formed a line between them and the building.

Later, officers were filmed beating several congressional PRD representatives who tried to prevent tow trucks from hauling away vehicles protesters had parked out front.

Lopez Obrador has told his supporters to dig in for what could be years of demonstrations amid signs that a partial recount of the presidential race is not going to reverse the National Action Party's Felipe Calderon's lead in the official count.

The leftist candidate has set up street camps that have paralyzed downtown traffic, but which have been tolerated and even protected by Mexico City police, who answer to Lopez Obrador's PRD, which controls city hall. The federal Congress building, however, is protected by federal police and presidential guards.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 19, 2006
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