Mexico religious cult refuses to allow schools into walled community

Adherents of a religious sect in western Mexico are physically blocking school teachers from entering their walled community, setting up one of the most high-profile confrontations between religious and civil authorities in Mexico since the 1930s.

Mexico's National Human Rights Commission and the Roman Catholic Church say the refusal to allow classes in the town of New Jerusalem is a violation of children's human rights.

They are calling on the government to break the blockade, which has been limited to fistfights but could escalate. Members of the sect oppose the trappings of the modern world, and earlier attacked the school building.

Authorities in the western state of Michoacan said Wednesday they are hoping to negotiate a solution to allow teachers into the community.

AP