Thousands of young people flooded Mexico City on Saturday in a nationwide protest against violence, corruption, and government inaction. The demonstration stretched across 52 cities in Mexico and reached communities abroad, including in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. The march ended at the Zócalo in clashes that injured 20 civilians and over 100 police officers, with around 20 arrests reported.
The movement emerged after the 1 November assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, who repeatedly urged federal authorities to address Michoacán’s organized crime. His death sparked outrage among young people who view the system as unresponsive, violent, and corrupt.
Protesters included students, local residents, opposition members, and concerned citizens, all demanding meaningful change. Mexico City Security Secretary Pablo Vázquez confirmed the number of injured and arrested after the violent escalation.
Clashes Escalate at the National Palace
The march remained peaceful until reaching the Zócalo, where a masked “black bloc” group broke away from the crowd and attacked barriers around the National Palace. They used stones, hammers, and sticks to breach the fences, prompting police to respond with tear gas and fire extinguishers.
Emergency teams treated 60 officers on site and sent 40 to hospitals, four of whom needed specialized care. Twenty civilians received medical attention at the scene.
Authorities brought the detainees to the Public Prosecutor’s Office on charges of violent acts, while others face administrative penalties. Investigators are reviewing video footage to identify additional participants responsible for property destruction and attacks.
President Claudia Sheinbaum called for peaceful demonstrations nationwide and condemned violence, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation. She downplayed the scale of the march, claiming “very few young people” participated, despite evidence of large crowds.
Generation Z Demands a New Mexico
Mexico’s Generation Z identifies as civic, independent, and non-partisan, emphasizing the motto: “We are not left or right; we are the generation demanding change.”
Ahead of the national march, the group released a 12-point platform focusing on systemic reforms. Their key demands include:
- Empower citizens to propose and vote on leadership recalls directly.
- Ensure interim leadership elections are open and free from political influence.
- Prevent political parties from interfering in oversight or replacement processes.
- Establish independent citizen councils to oversee institutional appointments.
- Guarantee faster, transparent, and accountable judicial processes.
- Create community-driven anti-corruption boards with public reporting.
- Strengthen local public safety while reducing militarized policing.
- Ensure transparent allocation and auditing of public funds.
- Expand access to education, vocational training, and employment opportunities.
- Protect housing rights and regulate speculative real estate practices.
- Integrate credible civic leaders into governance councils.
- Launch a nationwide platform for public consultation on policy priorities.
This youth-led movement reflects a global phenomenon, with similar protests in Nepal, Mongolia, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Young people rely heavily on TikTok, Instagram, and X to organize, bypassing traditional media channels.
The causes are universal: corruption, poor governance, economic inequality, declining living standards, and limited opportunities. In some nations, youth protests have toppled governments. In Mexico, Generation Z calls for a fundamental restructuring of governance, transparency, and civic accountability.
This movement seeks not only policy change but a transformation of the relationship between citizens and government, prioritizing integrity, safety, and the active role of young people in shaping their country’s future.
