Mexico's Gen Z Protests Turn Violent: 120 Injured in Clashes with Police

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Thousands of young Mexicans took to the streets on Saturday to voice their frustration with corruption, crime, and impunity. The massive protest, which drew support from both old and new opposition parties, was marked by a mix of peaceful demonstrations and clashes with police. The capital's security secretary, Pablo Vazquez, reported that 120 people were injured in the clashes, with 100 of those being police officers. Protesters used various objects, including stones, fireworks, and sticks, to attack the police, who were left to fend off the mob using shields and other equipment. Despite the high-profile murders that have plagued Mexico in recent times, including the assassination of a popular mayor in Michoacan, President Claudia Sheinbaum maintains a high approval rating. However, the president faced criticism after accusing right-wing parties of infiltrating the Gen Z protest and using bots on social media to boost attendance. The pirate skull flag, a symbol of Gen Z protests, was prominently displayed during the march. This year, several countries have witnessed large-scale protests by the Gen Z demographic, who are born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. The protests are primarily driven by concerns over inequality, democratic backsliding, and corruption. In Mexico, many young people feel that the system is failing them, and they're demanding change. A 43-year-old physician, Arizbeth Garcia, marched for better funding for public health and for doctors' security, saying that the country's lack of accountability has created an environment where 'you can be murdered and nothing happens.' While some Gen Z influencers have distanced themselves from the protests, others have expressed support. Former President Vicente Fox and Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego were among those who published messages in support of the protests. The march saw a diverse range of participants, including supporters of the recently killed mayor, who wore straw hats as a symbol of their solidarity. 'The state is dying,' said Rosa Maria Avila, a 65-year-old real estate agent from Michoacan state, who traveled to the capital to attend the protest. She believes that the mayor's murder was a result of his efforts to tackle crime in the region.