mexico city
AP
—
Thousands took to the streets of Mexico City on Saturday in a demonstration organized by members of Generation Z to protest crime, corruption and impunity that ended with strong support from older opposition supporters.
The demonstration was largely peaceful, but ended when some young people clashed with police. Demonstrators attacked police with stones, fireworks, sticks and chains, and seized police shields and other equipment.
Pablo Vázquez, the capital’s security secretary; 120 people were injured, 100 of them police officers. 20 people were arrested.
This year, in several countries, members of demographic groups born between the late 1990s and early 2010s organized protests against inequality, democratic backsliding, and corruption.
The social media ban sparked Nepal’s largest ‘Gen Z’ protests in September, leading to the resignation of the country’s prime minister. In Mexico, many young people say they are dissatisfied with systemic problems such as corruption and the impunity of violent crimes.
“We need more security,” said Andres Massa, a 29-year-old business consultant who carried a pirate skull flag that has become a global symbol of Gen Z protests.
Protester Arizbeth Garcia, a 43-year-old doctor, said she was marching to demand more funding for the public health system and improved security. Because doctors “are also exposed to the insecurity that grips this country, where you can be killed and nothing will happen.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum continues to maintain high approval ratings despite a recent spate of high-profile murders, including the assassination of a popular mayor in the western state of Michoacán.
In the days leading up to Saturday’s protests, Sheinbaum accused right-wing parties of trying to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and using bots on social media to increase participation.
This week, some “Gen Z” social media influencers said they no longer support Saturday’s protests. Meanwhile, senior citizens such as former President Vicente Fox and Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Priego have issued messages of support for the protests.
Saturday’s march was attended by people of all ages, with supporters of recently murdered Michoaca mayor Carlos Manzo wearing the straw hats that symbolize his political movement.
“The state is dying,” said Rosa María Avila, 65, a real estate agent from Patzcuaro town in Michoacán state.
“He was killed because he was the man who sent police into the mountains to fight the thugs. He had the courage to stand up to them,” she said of Manzo.
