More than 7,000 people demonstrate to protest wave of violence wracking northern Mexico

More than 7,000 protest crime wave in Mexico

MONTERREY, Mexico — More than 7,000 people have gathered in the northern Mexico city of Monterrey to protest a wave of violence that has affected the country’s third largest city in recent weeks.

Most of the protesters wore white at a rally in Monterrey’s main park and some released white balloons and a white dove as signs of peace.

Nuevo Leon state Gov. Rodrigo Medina led the protesters on a brief walk through Fundidora Park. His border state has seen a surge in violence that authorities blame on a turf war between the Gulf drug cartel and the Zetas, the cartel’s former hit men.

Hours before the rally Sunday, two soldiers and a civilian were wounded in a shootout between troops and gunmen in Monterrey.