Protests during Mexico's independence celebration!
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (PNN) - September 16, 2015 - 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.
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.
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 canceling 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.
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.
