Mexico City, Mexico - Leaders of Mexico's "Death Saint" church are protesting the destruction of more than 30 shrines in northern Mexico.
Their archbishop says it's an act of religious discrimination and has demanded a meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.
Mexico's Death Saint is not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, but followers use elements of catholic rites.
The Death Saint is often depicted as a robe-covered skeleton resembling the Grim Reaper. It's especially popular with drug traffickers.
Workers -- accompanied by army troops -- used back hoes last week to topple and crush more 30 shrines in Nuevo Laredo, across the border from Laredo, Texas.
City authorities said the roadside shrines were built without permission on public land -- plus argued the shrines gave the city a bad image.