The Battle for the Zócalo

The CNTE (National Coordinator of Education Workers) is a militant teachers' union that represents a minority of the teachers in Mexico.  In the years since I have lived permanently in Mexico City, they have staged two major protests in which they have taken over the city's main plaza, the Zócalo set up a tent city, and blocked major thoroughfares.

Last month, with the opening of the World Cup only weeks away, they attempted to take over the plaza once again.  This time they were met by a phalanx of police and barricades blocking entrance to the Zócalo.  The police used tear gas and fire extinguishers to disperse the protesters.

(image taken from the internet)

A couple of days later I went downtown.  Metal barriers were still blocking the Zócalo, and policemen stood all along the perimeter.  On the plaza construction was underway to build a "fan zone" where soccer fans could watch the games for free on an enormous screen.

A couple of photos of the construction work which I took from behind the barriers.

Then three days ago the union returned and once again tried to take the Zócalo.  Once again, they were met by riot police who pushed them back with tear gas.

Having been unsuccessful in taking control of the Zócalo, the teachers then set up their tent encampment on several streets streets leading to the plaza.

(image taken from the internet)

In an earlier post I showed you a photo of one of the towering statues of soccer players that have been set up along Paseo de la Reforma.  Two days ago, the teachers toppled three of the sixteen foot high images, tore off their uniforms and burned them, and scrawled graffiti on the naked mannequins.

As a former educator, I say that this behavior is a disgrace to the teaching profession.