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News > Latin America

Protests During Mexico's Independence Celebration

  • Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto waves the National flag during the independence ceremony in Mexico City, 15 September 2015.

    Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto waves the National flag during the independence ceremony in Mexico City, 15 September 2015. | Photo: Facebook

Published 16 September 2015
Opinion

A group of people peacefully staged a demonstration holding white t-shirts stained with paint, and formed a huge banner that read “Peña Asesino” (Peña, you murderer).

Social and youth organizations held a protest on Tuesday night in the main square of Mexico City, El Zocalo, during the official celebrations of Mexico’s independence, headed by President Enrique Peña Nieto.

RELATED: Nothing to Celebrate on Independence Day

A group of people peacefully staged a demonstration holding white t-shirts stained with paint, and formed a huge banner that read “Peña Asesino” (Peña, you murderer). According to the protestors, at least six people were arrested, however authorities have not confirmed this information. 

 

#PeñaAsesino, el repudio al presidente en el Zócalo capitalino. #Foto: @lafotomiranda #Procesofoto #GritoDeIndependencia #instagram

Una foto publicada por Revista Proceso (@revistaproceso) el

The presidency has been accused of paying people to attend the event, after a Twitter movement took off yesterday with thousands of users urging citizens not to attend any official event as a symbolic protest against the violence and corruption prevailing in the country.

The square where Peña  Nieto gave his address was three quarters full. Authorities hired the popular group, “La Arrolladora Banda El Limon,” for the event. They allegedly paid millions of pesos to prevent the band from cancelling the presentation. 

Peña Nieto recently announced an austerity program and even suspended the traditional dinner at National Palace, where VIPs celebrate after the traditional “Grito” ceremony, in which the president shouts slogans from the balcony to the crowd in order to commemorate national heroes.

But even with all these efforts to make the event more pleasant, local press said crowds were shouting "all kind of insults" at Peña Nieto and his family. People have noted that in the event's official broadcasting, the audio was turned off and the images were manipulated in an attempt to hide any sign of protests. 

 

Abuchean a la familia presidencial en el Zócalo capitalino. #Video: @Arturo_Rdgz #Procesofoto #GritoDeIndependencia

Un vídeo publicado por Revista Proceso (@revistaproceso) el

Widespread discontent was marked during the celebration as the first anniversary of the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa trainee teachers approaches on Sept. 26. Other issues including corruption allegations, a stagnant economy and numerous human rights violations, have been plaguing Peña Nieto’s government.

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