Thousands marched in Mexico City on November 11, 2023, demonstrating against perceived threats to democratic institutions, as a wave of protests initiated by younger generations gains broader support. The demonstration reflects growing anxieties over recent political actions adn their potential impact on the rule of law in Mexico.
The rallies, initially fueled by concerns among “Gen Z” activists regarding potential electoral reforms, have drawn participants from diverse age groups and political backgrounds. The protests gained further resonance following the November 9th killing of Michoacan Mayor Carlos Manzo, whose supporters joined the march wearing straw hats symbolizing his political movement. The demonstrations underscore a widening national debate about security, governance, and the future of Mexican democracy, with participants expressing fears of increasing authoritarianism and a weakening of checks and balances.Saturday’s march included attendees from various age demographics,including Rosa Maria Avila,a 65-year-old real estate agent from Patzcuaro,Michoacan,who stated,”The state is dying.” Avila explained she traveled to the capital to protest manzo’s assassination, adding, “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.”
The protests have also attracted support from prominent figures, including former President Vicente Fox and businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who voiced their backing through social media. However, some social media influencers identifying as “Gen Z” have recently withdrawn their support for the demonstrations.
The demonstrations come amid ongoing scrutiny of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s governance and its proposed electoral reforms, which critics argue could undermine the independence of the electoral authority and perhaps jeopardize the integrity of future elections. Organizers have vowed to continue the protests until their demands for safeguarding democratic processes are met.