A demonstration in Mexico City on Saturday, originally promoted as part of a global “Gen Z” protest movement, drew only a few thousand participants and saw relatively low involvement from young people. Instead, the event attracted strong support from older citizens and critics of the Mexican government, who marched to voice concerns over rising crime, corruption, and widespread impunity.
The protest was part of a broader trend seen worldwide this year, where people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s have organized rallies against inequality, democratic decline, and corruption. The most impactful Gen Z–driven movement took place in Nepal in September, following a ban on social media, ultimately leading to the resignation of the country’s prime minister.
In Mexico, many young citizens express growing frustration with systemic issues, including entrenched corruption and lack of accountability for violent crimes. “We need more security,” said 29-year-old business consultant Andrés Massa, who carried the pirate skull flag now recognized globally as a symbol of Gen Z activism.
However, a significant portion of Saturday’s marchers were older adults. Among them was 43-year-old physician Claudia Cruz, who demanded greater investment in public healthcare and protection for medical professionals, noting that “doctors are also exposed to the insecurity gripping the country, where you can be murdered and nothing happens.”
Despite the unrest, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum continues to enjoy strong approval ratings, even as the nation grapples with a series of high-profile murders, including the recent assassination of a well-known mayor in Michoacan. Ahead of the protest, Sheinbaum accused right-wing opposition groups of attempting to infiltrate the Gen Z movement and using social media bots to inflate expected turnout.