The facilities of the Center for Scientific and Technological Studies (CECyT) No. 4 “Lazarus Cardenas” were taken for approximately seven hours this October 10. The action was carried out by feminist students and collectives, to denounce the violence and sexual harassment that are experienced on this campus of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN).
The take, which began around 15 hours and ended around 22 hours, was preceded by a call launched through social networks by the Galerna Collective, to hold a “peaceful demonstration against the cover-up in CECyT 4”. As part of the demonstration, students and collective students closed a stretch of Avenida Constituyentes and placed a blanket on a bridge near CECyT No. 4.
“Everything was going well, we hung blankets on the bridge and the media were present. At 2:53 the cops did their job and removed all the cars just as they were diverted, but what happened? Grenadiers arrived, we were discouraged because everything was peaceful, there were managers and we are aware that they were the ones who called them” (sic), the Galerna Collective was assigned.
A couple of CECyT No. 4 students, also known as Voca 4, told Animal Politics that this 2020 has reported various cases of sexual assault and harassment committed by teachers and students against students: including one of sexual abuse and an on-site suicide attempt. Against this backing, the students set up a clothesline in March to expose the situation and tried to stop at different IPN schools.
They also shared that in February academic authorities, including teachers, set up a reporting table. However, “they did nothing, I came to report that a guy in my living room texted me saying he saw me morbidly as well literally. I came to report, that I wanted to make a group change because I wasn’t comfortable with it and they just asked me for a few details and left a letter, they didn’t do anything,” one of them shared. The same young woman pointed out that even her father came with her to report another situation, as a teacher harassed her “he touched my hands, came from behind me and stuck her body to me.”
Another added that “it was irresponsible, that is, you come to file a complaint in front of everyone, so with what confidence you come.”
Protests against sexual harassment and violence gained strength in more IPN schools between February and March of this year. In March, to name a case, cecyt 13 students “Ricardo Flores Magón” also installed a clothesline.
At that time, the IPN disclosed that from 2017 to that time a thousand 553 reports of gender-based violence were recorded, “of which 368 are formal and one thousand 185 were made through clotheslines placed in various academic units of the upper and upper middle levels, which in several cases are directed towards the same person” , reported the newspaper La Jornada.
CDHCM was attentive to the take
Staff from the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City (CDHCM) approached the shooting and were in communication with the students, who at around 20 hours gave the same staff a petitioning statement requesting the CECyT No 4 authorities to issue a statement “telling the reasons for the cover-up of the rape and attempted suicide of a student on campus”. They also demand, among other things, that talks be conducted on harassment, sexual harassment and cyberbullying to train teachers, students and workers; ensure the safety of “students participating in this movement.”
Around 9 p.m., feminist students and collectives (including some members of the Black Bloc that maintains the take-in of the headquarters of the National Commission on Human Rights in central Mexico City) agreed to the delivery of the facilities. And at 22 hours they started to retire. CDHCM staff remained on site.
IPN response
The IPN issued a message after the take, condemning “the destructions and damage caused by an on-site arson.” It also indicates that it categorically rejects all kinds of violence, especially gender-based violence.”
It also notes that those who kept the shot withdrew around 22:05 and will work with the authorities to clarify the facts.
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