Women strip to protest Mexican president

Five women stripped naked in Mexico legislative building Monday to protest to demand the resignation of President Felipe Calderon.

MEXICO CITY, March 9, 2010 (AFP) - Five women stripped naked in Mexico legislative building Monday to protest to demand the resignation of President Felipe Calderon, the country's congressional news agency reported.

"We are exposing our bodies to expose the Calderon government," said a banner unfurled by the women, who shouted "Felipe Calderon out" -- a phrase also written on their bodies.

The women reportedly entered the legislative chamber with the help of opposition lawmaker Gerardo Fernandez Norona, and they wore black hoods over their faces to avoid identification, even as they removed all other clothing.

The women said they were part of a "National Civil Committee" seeking Calderon's resignation. They called for a national referendum on his presidency to be held in May, the Notilegis news agency added.

In their protest, they also made reference to the number of women who have been murdered in Ciudad Juarez, a town on Mexico's border with the United States that has become notorious for drug trade-related violence.

They also made reference to alleged political prisoners in the country, accused the military of raping women in carrying out anti-narcotics operations.