Large protests have broken out through Mexico this month after Carlos Manzo, the mayor of Uruapan, Michoacán, was killed during a Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 1. Manzo was killed in broad daylight, and at only 40 years old his life came to an end.
He was known as a politician who spoke up against cartel violence on a regular basis. Manzo’s death, widely blamed on organized crime, has pushed thousands of young people into the streets, frustrated by what they see as a government that can’t keep them safe. These protests are being called Gen Z’s first major protest in Mexico.
In Mexico City, protesters filled the streets near the National Palace, clashing with police and tearing down barricades. For many, it’s been years since they’ve seen anything like this. “We need more security,” said 29-year-old Andrés Massa in an interview with Al Jazeera, echoing the feelings of thousands of others.
The movement is being led by a group calling itself Generation Z Mexico. They describe themselves as non-partisan and in want of big changes, judicial transparency, audits of public spending and even the ability to recall politicians. Their message is simple: “We are not for any party. We are for Mexico.”
Generation Z isn’t the only generation protesting against the Mexican government; there are all age groups demanding change.
For many protesters, Manzo’s killing was the final and last straw.
Rosa María Ávila, who traveled from Michoacán, shared, “He was killed because he was brave enough to confront criminals. That made him a target,” Ávila said in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Protesters see his death as a symbol of a government unable or unwilling to confront organized crime.
Frustration isn’t just about violence. Claudia Cruz, a doctor marching in the crowd, said health workers are also living in fear.
“We can be murdered and nothing happens,” Cruz said.
This comes after recurring reports of healthcare workers being targeted for violent crimes every year with cases as recent as February 2025.
Although the protest is a non-violent protest around 120 people were injured from the marches, both protesters and government officials.
According to Euro News, 20 protesters were left injured after the protests that took place on Nov. 15, 2025. They also noted that the marches left over 100 government police officers injured.
Around a total of 20 protesters were arrested during the marches. These 20 people arrested were taken to the public prosecutor’s office and later charged with “violent acts.”
Organizers said the movement is peaceful. They urged protesters to avoid confrontations and focus on keeping pressure on the government. They know real change won’t come overnight. It will take transparency, stronger oversight, and a long-term effort to rebuild institutions weakened by crime and corruption.
With an approval rating above 70%, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico disqualified the protest and its calls to action.
“Do you think that they are going to weaken us, that they are going to weaken the president because of what they shout?” Sheinbaum said in her Nov. 17 press conference. “No, it is stronger today. Do you think that those screams and swear words are going to do something to me?”
Whether the government will respond is still unclear. But for now, these protests are sending a message: a new generation of Mexicans is done waiting. They want to be safe, heard, and in charge of their future.
