CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Residents of the town of Labe say riot police fired tear gas at hundreds who gathered to protest the firing of a teacher who allegedly criticized the Guinean government in class.

A student said Monday during the march that Mariama Tata Diallo was an exemplary teacher and shouldn’t be fired for being active in Guinea’s opposition. Another student, Binta Diallo, said police fired tear gas at the students and some were hurt, but they would not give up until Diallo is reinstated.

Other witnesses said Monday that anti-riot police and a mobile security force remained on the streets of Labe, 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of the capital, Conakry.