Thousands of young people flooded Mexico City on Saturday, demanding change amid rising crime and government inaction. The protest extended across 52 cities in Mexico and spread to the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. What started peacefully at the Angel of Independence escalated into violent clashes at the Zócalo, injuring 20 civilians and over 100 police officers, with roughly 20 arrests.
The movement erupted after the 1 November murder of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, who repeatedly urged authorities to confront organized crime in Michoacán. His death became a rallying point for a generation frustrated with corruption, violence, and institutional neglect. Students, families, activists, and opposition party supporters joined the march, uniting under a shared call for accountability and reform. Mexico City Security Secretary Pablo Vázquez confirmed the scale of injuries and arrests as authorities worked to restore order.
Chaos at the National Palace
The march remained peaceful until reaching the Zócalo. A masked faction, known as the “black bloc,” attacked the metal barricades protecting the National Palace. They used stones and tools to break through, prompting police to respond with tear gas and fire extinguishers.
Authorities treated 60 injured officers on-site and transported 40 to hospitals, four needing specialized care. Paramedics assisted 20 injured civilians at the scene. Arrested demonstrators faced charges for violent acts, and others were processed for administrative offenses. Investigators are reviewing footage to identify all individuals involved in destruction or clashes.
President Claudia Sheinbaum called for peaceful demonstrations, condemning violence. She stressed that change requires nonviolent action, though she downplayed turnout despite large crowds.
Generation Z Lays Out Its Vision
Mexico’s Generation Z defines itself as non-partisan, civic-minded, and independent. Their slogan states: “We are neither left nor right; we are citizens demanding change.”
Ahead of the national march, the group published a new 12-point platform emphasizing civic empowerment, transparency, and youth opportunity:
- Establish a citizen-led council to audit government spending and contracts.
- Create independent community oversight panels to evaluate public officials.
- Introduce a recall mechanism allowing citizens to remove leaders outside regular elections.
- Guarantee direct public votes to select interim officials after recall events.
- Enforce anti-corruption initiatives with citizen participation and public accountability.
- Reorganize public safety with local oversight and reduced militarization.
- Strengthen judicial independence and implement faster, transparent legal processes.
- Expand vocational training, education, and youth employment programs.
- Promote housing access, prevent displacement, and curb speculative development.
- Develop civic education programs to empower young citizens nationwide.
- Require independent ethics panels in political appointments and oversight roles.
- Launch nationwide public consultations to expand or adjust the movement’s agenda.
The movement reflects a global trend. Youth protests have surged in Nepal, Mongolia, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Digital platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X allow young organizers to coordinate rapidly, bypassing traditional media channels.
Participants cite frustration with corrupt governments, economic inequality, falling living standards, and lack of opportunity. In some nations, youth protests have toppled governments. In Mexico, Generation Z aims to fundamentally reshape governance, demanding a country built on transparency, justice, and accountability for future generations.
