A group of demonstrators, most of them members of the Coordination of Peoples of Xochimilco, was protesting peacefully with intermittent closures on Av. Periférico against the works of a vehicular bridge in the area of the Wetland of Xochimilco, when a group of elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security came to intimidate them.
The demonstrators settled in front of the Fourteenth Collegiate Court in Administrative Matters of the First Circuit, located on Adolfo López Mateos Boulevard, claiming that a judge omitted to suspend again the construction of the bridge in Cuemanco.
What they were looking for was a meeting to explain what had happened with the suspension and to give their arguments about the damage that the work would cause to the wetland, however, the security elements began to withdraw them and ask that they withdraw.
Today grenadiers violently assaulted us in a peaceful demonstration in defense of the wetland. #YoProtejoElHumedal #Xochimilco @BrigadaMarabunt @CDHCMX @CNDH @RedTDT @CentroProdh @futuroindigena https://t.co/w7c70inhst
— Coordination of Peoples of Xochimilco. (@CPByCXochimilco) July 23, 2021
Both the security elements and the demonstrators began to fight, as the latter said they would not leave until they were attended to as they did not affect anyone, assuring that their protest was peaceful and with intermittent closures as a form of pressure.
Despite the arguments, the policemen advanced towards a group of protesters pushing them to retreat.
The mavericks began shouting “We want a solution, not repression!”, and they expressed their indignation at the way in which the police protected an avenue more than the citizens themselves.
The Coordination of Peoples of Xochimilco recorded live, from its Facebook account, what was happening and you can see the moment when police beat protesters.
The dignity of the people is greater. #NoTraemosArmas
Before, now and always #YoProtejoElHumedal pic.twitter.com/cSb18K3GwG
— Coordination of Peoples of Xochimilco. (@CPByCXochimilco) July 23, 2021
Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the Coordination of Peoples of Xochimilco announced that it would withdraw because “the situation of violence is unsustainable.”
“We retire with our foreheads raised and with dignity that we fight for life. On their side violence, on our side life,” they said.
We will withdraw because the situation of violence is insistent. We retire with our foreheads raised and with dignity that we fight for life.
On their side violence, on ours life. #YoProtejoElHumedal #Xochimilco #Cdmx pic.twitter.com/RLcyu5ejEQ
— Coordination of Peoples of Xochimilco. (@CPByCXochimilco) July 23, 2021
At 1:30 p.m., the Road Guidance Center of the Secretariat of Citizen Security reported that traffic was restored in The Peripheral Ring from Barranca del Muerto.
The wetland
The Xochimilco Wetland is inscribed in the Ramsar Convention, which takes up the name of the Iranian city where an international treaty on the conservation and rational use of wetlands was concluded on February 2, 1971.
In addition, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and is considered a Protected Natural Area (PNA) since 1992.
According to information from The Country, the PNAs’ programme specifically prohibits the development of any infrastructure work as well as the felling of trees.
The CDMX government awarded the work for 680 million pesos in August 2019 and the construction of the vehicular bridge began in February 2020.
Shortly after, residents of the area expressed their opposition to the work, in addition to filing an amparo to stop it.
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