Supporters of presidential candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador took over tollbooths throughout Mexico City on Aug. 8, preventing federal officials from charging tolls on the highways into the city, and blockaded the agricultural ministry, preventing employees from entering. (Reuters)

The actions were in response to a court ruling that dismissed a full recount of ballots from the July 2 presidential election, in which what appears to be massive fraud led to the victory of the big-business candidate Felipe Calderón over López Obrador by a margin of less than one percentage point.

Protesters have occupied the Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s main thoroughfare, for nearly five miles since July 30. The 47 encampments have stalled traffic along a street containing government offices, the U.S. Embassy and luxury downtown hotels, with business in the area claiming losses of millions of dollars. They have also blocked the entrance to Mexico’s stock market.

The leaders of the National Coordinate of Education Workers (CNTE) assert that the government of President Vicente Fox diverted funds from social programs to be handled by Gordillo for election ends.

Artemio Ortiz told a news conference in the western state of Michoacan that the funds amount to more than 227 million dollars, which were initially allocated to educational programs.

Ortiz added that the money was used to finance the New Alliance Party of grassroots educators, to support the official presidential candidate, Felipe Calderon, and to set up a network of representatives at the polling stations.

Police made no effort to intervene as the protesters set up tents and blocked traffic, apparently in response to López Obrador's call for the establishment of 47 "permanent assemblies"' to press his claims of fraud in the July 2 elections. López Obrador lost the vote to conservative Felipe Calderón by less than 1 percent of 41 million ballots cast.

Protesters at one of the barricades on the Paseo de la Reforma said they would remain there until a federal tribunal hearing López Obrador's challenge orders a recount of every ballot.

The street action comes amid mounting tensions in the post-election dispute and was the first sign that López Obrador's supporters intended to take their protests beyond organized mass rallies.