Protests in Mexico City turned violent over the weekend of July 4 as demonstrators took to the streets to voice their anger against gentrification and mass tourism. Rent prices have increased dramatically since 2020, and many locals feel pushed out of their own neighborhoods, according to The Associated Press.
“Today we are fighting against gentrification,” Balam Larios, a student, told the AP. “Gentrification is the process by which the original residents of the neighborhoods are displaced by people with greater purchasing power. That is, people coming from other countries, mostly foreigners, who want to impose their culture, their prices and displace Mexicans, the native people of these lands.”
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The protest was especially aimed at the large number of U.S. tourists and expatriates in Mexico.
Protests started peacefully and turned violent
The demonstration started peacefully on Friday, July 4, in neighborhoods popular with foreign visitors. People gathered calmly to express concerns about issues like rising rents, displacement of locals and how tourism is affecting their neighborhoods.
However, the protests turned violent when a small group began smashing the windows of businesses and threatening tourists. Protesters painted graffiti messages including “Get out of Mexico” and held signs reading “Gringos, stop stealing our home.”
Demonstrations reach US Embassy
After initial actions in local neighborhoods, marchers assembled in front of the U.S. Embassy. More police officers showed up at the U.S. Embassy amid the unrest.
“I’m here because gentrification is just one more step towards colonization, dispossession and the exploitation of our resources,” climate activist Mónica González told the AP. “Right now it’s about the people, but it won’t be long before they run out of oil, water, or lithium in other countries and come and take them from us.”
City officials respond to violence
According to The New York Times, César Cravioto Romero, Mexico City’s government secretary, urged an end to the violence. He called Mexico City “a city of migrants” and said the local government does not agree with “this type of demonstration.”
The city’s governor, Carla Brugada, released a statement on X denouncing the violence. However, she said Mexico City officials oppose gentrification and are working on making housing more affordable.
Similar protests have occurred in European cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome, where mass tourism and gentrification are also major concerns.
