The essence of the gen z protests is rooted in the grassroots outrage against the structural insecurity of Mexico. Young people are frustrated with a government they believe can't protect its citizens and punish criminals. (Image Source: X.com/ANI)
The frustrations of youth reached the streets in Mexico City on Saturday as thousands marched through the capital, protesting the country's persistent issues with corruption, crime, and impunity.
What started as a peaceful protest, driven by Generation Z, near the National Palace escalated into chaotic clashes with police.
The essence of the protests is rooted in the grassroots outrage against the structural insecurity of Mexico. Young people are frustrated with a government they believe can't protect its citizens and punish criminals.
This anger has been compounded by the sensationalized assassination of Carlos Manzo, one of the popular anti-crime mayors of the state of Michoacan, in broad daylight.
For many protestors, this had been the last straw and epitomized a government that couldn't even protect its own officials, let alone ordinary people.
They say that even though President Claudia Sheinbaum enjoys high approval ratings, her security policies simply aren't working.
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Generation Z, or Gen Z for short, is generally defined as those born between 1997 and 2012. They are, for sure, the world's first true digital natives.
From a very tender age, they grew up completely immersed in the Internet, smartphones, and social media. This has really made them very collaborative, digitally savvy, and socially conscious.
They are often characterized by their pragmatic idealism in that they see the world's problems clearly and use digital tools to organize and demand accountability from institutions.
A majority of the march was peaceful, but a splinter group of mostly youthful protesters broke into violence, hurling stones, chains, and fireworks at police.
The country's capital security secretary, Pablo Vazquez, who took charge, said in total 120 were injured, including 100 police officers. The protest was youth-led, a fact that has already become a source of political controversy.
Days in advance of the event, President Sheinbaum accused opposition right-wing parties of trying to manipulate the Gen Z movement by using social media bots to boost attendance.
That might have been true, but there is little doubt about the frustration of the young generation concerning violence and corruption.
A Global Phenomenon The Gen Z protests that swept Mexico are hardly an isolated incident; they herald a global tide of generational discontent.
This year alone, a remarkable number of countries have experienced mass protests led by their Gen Z populations. By conservative count, at least seven countries have seen movements with major impacts: These range from Nepal, where youth-led protests against corruption forced the prime minister to resign, to Kenya, Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco, Peru, and Madagascar.
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