This last Saturday, thousands of people flooded the streets of Mexico City to protest the rampant crime and corruption within the nation and its government. The majority of the participants and organizers for the protest were from Generation Z, with support from older members of society.
The target of the protests was the president of the nation, and any of the protestors were considered to be corrupt or associated with crime in the country. Part of why the protests kicked off was the death of Mexico mayor, Carlos Manzo, who was shot dead during a Day of the Dead festival. Many believed it was a targeted strike due to him having been publicly outspoken against organized crime.
The protests were initially peaceful, but over time, the protests grew more violent as protestors clashed with the police. Over the course of the protests, around 100 police officers were injured by protestors, and 20 citizens were injured during the protests.
El Universal, a Mexican news outlet, gave the following report regarding when Protestors made it into the perimeter of the national Palace: “With their shields and stones, they [security forces] physically assaulted young people demonstrating in … Zocalo, who ended up injured and assisted by doctors who were also marching and ERUM [Emergency Rescue and Medical Emergencies Squadron] personnel,”.
There seems to be a trend between Generation Z and organizing protests against corruption. In several countries across the globe this year, Gen Z have been prominent in protests against inequality, with one of the most famous protests being the protests in Nepal, which led to the nation’s prime minister resigning.
I hope that the protestors can remain safe and that their voices can be heard without further violence.
