On the Radar: Defiance in Libya and Wisconsin, 53 killed in Juarez
A Tripoli prison's gate was open Monday. Security guards deserted the jail after reports that protesters took over Libyan cities.
February 21st, 2011
12:18 PM ET

On the Radar: Defiance in Libya and Wisconsin, 53 killed in Juarez

Libya

Though observers wonder if Libyan protests could mean the end for leader Moammar Gadhafi's reign, his son has warned on state television that there could be "a fierce civil war" if demonstrations continue. Continue they did, as the central government lost control of the coastal city of Banghazi, and protests continued in Tripoli.

Though CNN has not yet been granted access to report on the ground, there were several reports of violence Monday. Protesters set a government building in Tripoli ablaze the day after ransacking the state TV headquarters, according to media accounts. In the capital, hundreds of pro-government protesters gathered to listen to a speaker in Green Square, an eyewitness said. Another group of protesters who tried to make their way to the square dispersed when confronted by security forces with tear gas.

Wisconsin

Crowds topped 50,000 people this weekend as demonstrators continue to express their frustration with the state's budget bill. Gov. Scott Walker, however, is not retreating. The bill is vital and complaints that it is union-busting are a "red herring," he said.

Tom Morello, formerly Rage Against the Machine's guitarist, has called Walker "the Mubarak of the Midwest," likening the governor to the recently toppled Egyptian leader. Morello will perform solo for protesters Monday. The budget repair bill was proposed by Walker to address a $137 million shortfall through June 30. It increases state workers' contributions to their pensions and health insurance benefits, requires collective bargaining units to conduct annual votes to maintain certification and eliminates the right of unions to have dues deducted from worker paychecks. Fourteen Democratic state senators essentially boycotted the Legislature and went to Illinois to prevent a quorum from passing the bill. Walker has said powerful public employee unions are behind the blocking of the bill.

Juarez

It was one of the bloodiest 72 hours in recent memory, authorities said after 53 people, including four policeman, were killed in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. It began Thursday when 14 people were killed. Twenty more were killed Friday - a state police investigator en route home, among them. Saturday brought 19 killings, including a patrolman killed by a driver whom he'd just given a citation. He was shot 10 times in broad daylight. The violence was not exclusive to Ciudad Juarez, either. Mexico's Public Security Secretariat reported that 13 taxi drivers were killed in Acapulco in a rash of violence that began Friday.

Suspected drug traffickers are believed to be behind the violence in addition to setting cars ablaze and destroying street lights and security cameras. Among the casualties, a human head was discovered on a street and another body was found near a charred vehicle.

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Filed under: Crime • Drug violence • Human rights • Libya • Mexico • On the Radar • Politics • Protest • U.S. • Wisconsin • World
soundoff (9 Responses)
  1. Sam

    i CAN'T BELEIVE THAT KADAFI KILLING HIS PEOPLE WITH AIR STRIKES HOW CAN UNITED NATION SEE THIS? THE POEPLE NEED HELP ASAP

    February 21, 2011 at 12:59 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jim Brieske

    There is no justification for Wisconsin taxpayers paying $57 for every $1 school teachers pay into their retirement account. That is absurd and the behavior of crazy people. To allow it to continue is insane.
    jim

    February 21, 2011 at 2:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • Herbert44

      Retirement funds are subject to inflation, just like anyother fund. The concept of people living 30 to 40 years and paying into retirement is what Social Security Administration was founded on. Might as well stop paying interest on bank accounts and other investments.

      February 21, 2011 at 7:18 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Jim Brieske

    There is no justification for Wisconsin taxpayers paying $57 for every $1 school teachers pay into their retirement fund. That is absurd and the behavior of crazy people. To allow it to continue is insane.
    jim

    February 21, 2011 at 2:31 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Jim Brieske

    Sorry about the double post. The first wasn't displayed yet so I re-posted.
    jim

    February 21, 2011 at 2:32 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Veritas

    @Jim Briesle hi jim! i dont think the money is at issue. i believe thier problem is having no other say in any benefits which would eliminate unions from getting dues just saying

    February 21, 2011 at 7:02 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Herbert44

    Only 53 dead in Juarez? Spring break is coming up and the extreme tourist season is upon us. Maybe a little Matamoros stew for the revelers?

    February 21, 2011 at 7:16 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Brutus

    I had too many lazy teachers in my school years to think any significant change has come forth. They are the most spoiled profession with the exception of 10-20%. A large number should be shipped to Mexico, and not return as per the mexican drug cartel. Retirement funding can be remedied through cyberspace extortion.

    February 21, 2011 at 7:26 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Field reporter/correspondent

    This just in : banasy is a hermaphadite / breaking news flash.com

    February 22, 2011 at 2:12 am | Report abuse |
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