Thousands marched in Mexico City on November 11, 2023, demonstrating against perceived threats to democratic institutions, asโ a wave of โprotests initiated by younger โขgenerations gains broader support. โThe demonstration reflects growing anxieties over recent political actions adnโข their potential impact onโค the rule of law in Mexico.
The rallies, โคinitially fueled by concerns among “Gen Z” activists regarding potential โขelectoral reforms, have drawn participants from diverse age groupsโฃ and political backgrounds. The protests gained further resonance following theโฃ Novemberโข 9th killing of Michoacan Mayor Carlos Manzo, whose supporters โjoined โthe march wearing straw hats symbolizing his political movement. The demonstrations underscore a โฃwidening national debate about โsecurity, governance, โคand the future of Mexican democracy, with participants expressing fears of increasing authoritarianism and a weakening of checks โand balances.Saturday’s march included attendees โคfrom various age demographics,including Rosa Maria Avila,a 65-year-old real estate agent from Patzcuaro,Michoacan,who stated,”The โคstate โคisโ dying.” Avila explained sheโ traveled to the capital to protest manzo’s assassination, adding, “He was killed becauseโ he was a man who was sending officers into the mountainsโ to fight delinquents. He had the guts to confront them.”
The protests have also attractedโค supportโค from prominent figures, including former President Vicente Fox and businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who voiced their backing throughโข social media. However, some social media influencers โคidentifying as “Gen Z” have recentlyโ withdrawn their โsupportโฃ for theโ demonstrations. โข
The demonstrations come โฃamid ongoingโฃ scrutiny of President Andrรฉs Manuel Lรณpez Obrador’s governance โand its proposed electoral reforms, which critics argue could undermine โthe independence of the electoral authority and perhaps jeopardize โthe integrity of future elections. โOrganizers have vowed toโฃ continue the protests until their demands for safeguarding democratic processes are met.