Protests erupted throughout Mexico denouncing the government’s ill response to the abduction of 43 college students who disappeared two months ago. Protesters called for the resignation of President Enrique Pena Nieto as they clashed with police in Mexico City.

Wearing all black and brandishing flags and banners, protesters marched unto the Zocalo, Mexico City’s main square, demanding justice and an end to the violence that has claimed the lives of thousands, reports Reuters.

The protests turned violent when they reached the Zocalo and burned an effigy of Pena Nieto and attempted to break into the presidential palace. Police broke up the march.

Earlier, around 300 masked protesters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police near Mexico City airport. According to AFP, the police retaliated with tear gas. Police sources say no one was injured.

“He will fall, he will fall, Pena Nieto will fall," protesters chanted.

The disappearance of the 43 university students in Iguala in the violentstate of Guerrero has tested the Pena Nieto administration, exposing the corruption within local government. The students were arrested by police after protesting, on orders of the local mayor, and handed over to a drug gang. The gang reportedly killed the students, burned their remains and buried them.

The protests, which also happened in Ciudad Juarez, Puebla and Guerrero’s capital city, happened during the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution’s start.

Pena Nieto canceled a parade and attended a smaller event at the Campo de Marte military field, where he condemned the protests.

“Mexico is hurting, but the only path to soothe this pain is through peace and justice,” he said.

Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos added that violence “only leads to national failure, social backwardness, ungovernability, instability.”

However, this has not been enough to silence the people. Shows of solidarity have also appeared throughout Latin America, according to Peruvian public radio RPP. Protests and shows of support are scheduled to happen in Brazil, El Salvador, Argentina, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Mexican soccer player Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who plays for Real Madrid, also showed his support on Twitter, posting a photo of him in a black hooded sweatshirt. He used the hashtag #UnidosPorAyotzinapa and #TodosSomosAyotzinapa, referencing the name of the college the students attended.

Watch protesters burn an effigy of Pena Nieto:

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