(CNN) Eight people have died after teacher protests turned violent in the Mexican state of Oaxaca over the weekend, authorities said.

The clashes between teachers, state police and local residents also left 53 civilians and 55 police officers injured, according to the Oaxaca state government.

Teachers and residents clashed with Mexican federal police after protests turned violent in the state of Oaxaca on June 19.

The violence came after seven days of street blockages and demonstrations, disrupting traffic on a major highway connecting Oaxaca to Mexico City, the government said.

Clashes broke out after riot police tried to disperse the demonstrators Sunday.

Twenty-one people have been arrested so far.

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