Background on the Protesters and Their Cause
On Sunday, numerous residents from indigenous communities and young activists took to the streets of Mexico City’s southern district, specifically along Insurgentes Sur in Tlalpan, to protest against the ongoing gentrification. The demonstrators, predominantly youthful and passionate, chanted slogans such as “housing for living, not for investment,” “we are not a hotel, we are an ancestral neighborhood,” and “gringos gentrify while the government sponsors it.”
Key Grievances and Targets of the Protest
The protesters accused real estate companies, both Mexican and foreign, along with local and federal governments of enabling and promoting gentrification. They highlighted the contradiction in government priorities, as resources are allocated to fund weapons and militarization while neglecting essential social needs like housing.
The Agrupación Juvenil Anticapitalista, present at the march, emphasized that “the real culprits are real estate companies and governments who have allowed gentrification to escalate, putting community safety at risk. This includes the Fuentes Brotantes 134 construction project, which poses a threat to local residents and strains basic services like water supply.”
Protest Actions and Reactions
Before the march, demonstrators displayed a banner stating “closed due to ecocide in the construction of Fuentes Brotantes 134 in Tlalpan,” pointing out the project’s detrimental impact on their neighborhood. The protest began after 3:30 PM at the Fuentes Brotantes Metrobús station, heading towards El Caminero.
Although the march largely remained peaceful, tensions escalated when protesters reached the Metrobus station. A segment of the “black bloc” engaged in graffiti and launched smoke bombs at the police line guarding the demonstration.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who participated in the protest? The demonstration was led by residents from indigenous communities and young activists.
- What were the main grievances? Protesters criticized real estate companies and governments for enabling gentrification, which they claim endangers communities and strains essential services.
- What specific project sparked controversy? The Fuentes Brotantes 134 construction project in Tlalpan was highlighted as a threat to local residents and basic services.
- How did the protest unfold? The march started peacefully but escalated into minor confrontations with police at the Metrobus station.
