Several thousand people took to the streets of Mexico City on Saturday to protest crime, corruption and impunity in a demonstration organized by members of Generation Z, but which ended with strong backing from older supporters of opposition parties.
The demonstration was mostly peaceful but ended with some young people clashing with the police. Protesters attacked police with stones, fireworks, sticks and chains, grabbing police shields and other equipment.
The capital’s security secretary, Pablo Vázquez. Said 120 people were injured, 100 of them police officers. Twenty people were arrested.
In several countries this year, individuals belonging to the generation born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s have initiated demonstrations to protest against disparities, the erosion of democracy, and dishonesty.
In September, the largest “Gen Z” protests took place in Nepal occurred after a social media ban, prompting the resignation of that country's prime minister. Mexico's youth frequently express frustration over persistent issues such as corruption and a lack of accountability for violent offenses.
“We need more security” said Andres Massa, a 29-year-old business consultant who carried the pirate skull flag that has become a global symbol of Gen Z protests.
Arizbeth Garcia, a 43-year-old doctor participating in the demonstrations, stated her reasons for marching were increased investment in public healthcare and improved safety for medical professionals “are also exposed to the insecurity gripping the country, where you can be murdered and nothing happens.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico continues to enjoy strong public approval, even with a recent series of prominent killings, such as the murder of a well-liked mayor in the western state of Michoacan.
Sheinbaum alleged that right-wing political groups attempted to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and employed social media bots to boost protest turnout in the days before Saturday's demonstration.
This week some “Gen Z” social media influencers said they no longer backed Saturday’s protests. While elderly figures like former President Vicente Fox, and Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego published messages in support of the protests.
Attendees at Saturday's demonstration represented various age demographics, and those supporting the recently deceased Michoacan Mayor Carlos Manzo donned the straw hats that signify his political affiliation.
“The state is dying,” said Rosa Maria Avila, a 65-year-old real estate agent who traveled from the town of Patzcuaro in Michoacan state.
“He was killed because he was a man who was sending officers into the mountains to fight delinquents. He had the guts to confront them,” she said of Manzo.