13 September 2013 Last updated at 21:34 ET
Most of the teachers left the Zocalo quietly after the invasion of the police
Police in Mexico City have clashed with protesters during an operation to clear a square occupied by striking teachers.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to remove the protesters from the city's main square, the Zocalo.
Striking teachers had been camped out there for weeks. Some responded with petrol bombs as police moved in after a government deadline passed.
The teachers have been demanding changes to education reforms approved by President Enrique Pena Nieto.
The authorities said they wanted to clear Zocalo Square for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations.
Most of the protesters left peacefully by Friday's deadline. But police used water cannons and tear gas against missile-throwing protesters on the square and in nearby streets.
The changes introduced by the government include performance-related tests for teachers.
Critics accuse Mexico's teachers' unions of being corrupt and having too much control over job allocation.
Last week, thousands of its members protested outside the Senate in an attempt to disrupt the passing of the bill, which had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
The government has argued that union control over teaching jobs has contributed to corruption, which has seen poorly trained teachers promoted over more qualified colleagues.
Police in Mexico City have clashed with protesters during an operation to clear a square occupied by striking teachers.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to remove the protesters from the city's main square, the Zocalo.
Striking teachers had been camped out there for weeks. Some responded with petrol bombs as police moved in after a government deadline passed.
The teachers have been demanding changes to education reforms approved by President Enrique Pena Nieto.
The authorities said they wanted to clear Zocalo Square for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations.
Most of the protesters left peacefully by Friday's deadline. But police used water cannons and tear gas against missile-throwing protesters on the square and in nearby streets.
The changes introduced by the government include performance-related tests for teachers.
Critics accuse Mexico's teachers' unions of being corrupt and having too much control over job allocation.
Last week, thousands of its members protested outside the Senate in an attempt to disrupt the passing of the bill, which had already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
The government has argued that union control over teaching jobs has contributed to corruption, which has seen poorly trained teachers promoted over more qualified colleagues.