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The self-proclaimed Gen Z group called for simultaneous marches this Saturday in 52 cities in Mexico and other countries including the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany. What started as a peaceful protest against the Angel of Independence ended in violent clashes in the country’s most iconic square.
The movement in Mexico was sparked by the murder of Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, on November 1st. The mayor had repeatedly asked the federal government to pay attention to the organized crime plaguing Michoacán, but his requests were ignored. The crime sparked young people’s anger at a system they considered corrupt, violent and insensitive to citizens’ demands.
The demonstrations attracted thousands of Mexicans of all ages, including students, villagers, opposition politicians, and citizens fed up with the violence. Mexico City’s Civil Safety Secretary Pablo Vázquez said 20 civilians and more than 100 police officers were injured during the march, and about 20 people were arrested after the clashes.
From the Angel of Independence to the chaos of the National Palace
The march started peacefully, but once they reached the capital Zocalo, a group known as the “Black Bloc” broke through the demonstrators and began banging with hammers and stones on the fence protecting the National Palace, the seat of the executive branch. Fences were destroyed, leading to direct confrontations with capital police, who responded with tear gas and fire extinguishers.
Of the injured uniformed personnel, 60 were treated at the scene and 40 were taken to hospital, four of whom required specialized treatment. No one is in a life-threatening condition. Twenty injured civilians were treated by emergency personnel at the scene.
Those arrested were taken to the public prosecutor’s office on suspicion of “violent acts,” while the other 20 are being processed for administrative crimes. Pablo Vázquez said authorities are working with the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office to identify all individuals who committed criminal acts during the demonstrations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, from Tabasco state, called for the protests to continue “peacefully” and rejected violence, saying: “Violence must never be used for change. Always peacefully.” But she downplayed the importance of the movement, saying only “a very small number of young people” marched despite thousands of people gathering.
“We are neither left nor right”: 12 demands of a bipartisan movement
Mexico’s Gen Z defines itself as a civil, pragmatic, and nonpartisan movement born of collective fatigue. Its slogan makes it clear: “We are neither left nor right, we are a generation tired of keeping our heads down.”
On November 14, ahead of a national march, the group released a 12-point petition under the slogan, “Because we are not for any political party. We are for Mexico.” The main requests are:
- A citizen recall mechanism that is completely separate from regular elections and can be activated voluntarily by citizens without the involvement of political parties.
- In case of recall, direct election of a successor by extraordinary referendum.
- Prohibition of partisan interference in the recall and replacement process.
- Strengthening of self-governing institutions appointed through independent citizen councils.
- Prompt and effective justice through major reforms to the judicial system.
- Combat corruption through citizen audits with public access to results.
- Strengthen local security through security, demilitarization, and citizen audits.
- Full transparency in the use of public resources.
- Job and educational opportunities for young people.
- Access to decent housing and combating gentrification.
- Include someone with moral authority in the citizens’ assembly.
- Public consultation to expand the petition to up to 15 demands.
This movement is not limited to Mexico. Gen Z protests are a global phenomenon, erupting in countries such as Nepal, Mongolia, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Digitally native youth with a strong sense of social responsibility are using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X to organize and bypass the dissemination of traditional media.
There are many causes. These include people’s dissatisfaction with the government, economic problems, declining standards of living, corruption, and lack of opportunity. In some countries, such as Nepal, protests have toppled governments. In Mexico, the movement is calling for fundamental changes in the way the country is governed.
