Dozens of media outlets around the world covered the March for Democracy that took place nationwide across Mexico.
PBS (Public Broadcasting System).-
Thousands of demonstrators cloaked in pink marched through cities in Mexico and abroad on Sunday in what they called a “march for democracy” targeting the country’s ruling party in advance of the country’s June 2 elections.
The demonstrations called by Mexico’s opposition parties advocated for free and fair elections in the Latin American nation and railed against corruption the same day presidential front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum officially registered as a candidate for ruling party Morena.
Sheinbaum is largely seen as a continuation candidate of Mexico’s highly popular populist leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He’s adored by many voters who say he bucked the country’s elite parties from power in 2018 and represents the working class.
Huge crowds filled Mexico City’s main square on Sunday in support of the nation’s electoral authority, accusing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of trying to weaken the body ahead of a presidential election in June.
The protests, one of several in recent years meant to “protect” the National Electoral Institute (INE), come after Lopez Obrador sent a sweeping package of constitutional reforms to Congress, which would include an overhaul of the INE.
Organizers said 700,000 people turned out, which could mark one of the largest protests against Lopez Obrador as his administration comes to a close.
Mexican Protesters Blast AMLO in ‘March for Democracy’ Ahead of Presidential Election.
Mexican protesters took to the streets on Sunday in a “march for democracy,” saying President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could be unfairly influencing upcoming elections in Latin America’s second-largest economy.
Marchers demanded a free and fair vote while accusing the head of state of using public programs to benefit his ally Claudia Sheinbaum ahead of the June 2 presidential election. Images on social media showed Mexico City’s central square packed with chanting demonstrators, and organizers said hundreds of thousands of people attended protests that took place in more than 100 cities.
Thousands of demonstrators cloaked in pink marched through cities in Mexico and abroad on Sunday in what they called a “march for democracy” targeting the country’s governing party ahead of the June 2 general elections.
The demonstrations called by Mexico’s opposition parties advocated for free and fair elections in the Latin American nation. They railed against corruption the same day presidential frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum registered as a candidate for the governing party Morena.
Approximately 90,000 people turned out to rail against the leader, according to government figures. However, organizers said 700,000 people turned out in Mexico City. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the size of the protests.
Sheinbaum is largely seen as a continuation candidate of Mexico’s populist leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He is adored by many voters, who say he bucked the country’s elite parties from power in 2018 and represents the working class.
Mexicans Turn Out in Droves to ‘Protect Democracy’ Ahead of Elections.
Demonstrators also used the protests to speak out against other hallmarks of Lopez Obrador’s administration, including what they allege is a failure to curb widespread violence and social spending programs.
“The current government is leading us to catastrophe,” said Maria de los Angeles Lopez. “To be afraid of going out on the streets, to be afraid our money will no longer be enough, that is why I came out to protest.”
In Mexico City on Sunday, Feb. 18th, thousands of people flocked to the city’s main plaza roaring, “Get López out!” Others carried signs reading, “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
Among the opposition organizations marching were National Civic Front, Yes for Mexico, Citizen Power, Civil Society Mexico, UNE Mexico and United for Mexico.
Marches were organized in a hundred cities across the country, and in other cities in the United States and Spain.
Still, López Obrador. remains highly popular and his ally Sheinbaum appears set to coast easily into the presidency. She overwhelmingly leads in polls over her closest competition, Xóchitl Gálvez.
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