Earlier this week, some Gen Z social media influencers said they no longer support the protests, while mainstream figures like former President Vicente Fox issued messages of support.
Thousands of people took part in protests in Mexico City against rising crime, corruption and impunity that were organized by members of Generation Z but ended up supported and joined by older supporters of the opposition.
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.
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Earlier this week, some Gen Z social media influencers said they would no longer support Saturday’s protests, while mainstream figures such as former President Vicente Fox and Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Priego released messages of support for the protests.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also accused right-wing parties of trying to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and using bots on social media to increase participation.
This year, members of the Generation Z population group organized protests against inequality, democratic backsliding, and corruption in several countries in Asia and Africa.
The largest Gen Z protests erupted in Nepal in September following a social media ban, leading to the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
That month, large-scale protests also occurred in Madagascar, initially due to severe and prolonged water and electricity shortages, exposing widespread government failures and corruption. Weeks of unrest led to the government’s dissolution, forcing President Andriy Rajoelina to flee the country last month and forcing a change of government.
Mexican news outlet El Universal reported that Saturday’s protests quickly turned violent, with “protesters denouncing the federal government’s repression.”
El Universal newspaper reported that security forces fired tear gas and threw stones at demonstrators as they entered the area around the National Palace in the city’s main square, Zocalo.
“They took shields and stones, [security forces] The young people demonstrating in the Zócalo were physically assaulted and eventually injured, but were saved by doctors and ERUM who were also marching. [Emergency Rescue and Medical Emergencies Squadron] It’s personnel,” El Universal said.
It added that police “chased and beat demonstrators in Zocalo Square” for several minutes before “forcibly removing people from the area and dispersing the last remaining demonstrators.”
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,” Andres Massa, a 29-year-old business consultant who carried a pirate skull flag that has become a global symbol of Gen Z protests, told The Associated Press.
Claudia Cruz, a 43-year-old doctor who participated in the protest, said she was marching to demand more funding for the public health system and better security. Because doctors “are also exposed to the insecurity that grips this country, where you can be killed and nothing will happen.”
Despite a spate of recent high-profile murders, including Manzo’s, President Sheinbaum continues to maintain high approval ratings.
