Ruptly
"Mexico City police blocked striking teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) from entering the capital's central Zocalo square on Monday, where they had planned to set up a protest camp to demand action over labour rights. Footage shows riot police confronting protesters who were marching towards the square, which is currently undergoing preparations for the upcoming fanfare for the World Cup. Blocked from their primary destination, the demonstrators could instead be seen setting up their encampment on the surrounding streets. "Today we suffered repression from the police and the presidency. At this moment, we are going to stay here in the camp. Our camp will no longer take place in Zocalo's main square. However, we will be setting it up on 5 de Mayo street," said Cinthya, a teacher and CNTE member. The protesters are demanding the complete abolition of the 2019 educational reform and the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which they argue severely undermines the employment rights, salaries, and pensions of Mexican educators. "Our request is the one we always express, which is the repeal of the educational reform, the ISSSTE law, among others," explained fellow teacher Gladys Toledo. She emphasised that the demonstrations would persist until the government addresses their grievances. "We condemn these actions, this attitude of the government represented by President Claudia Sheinbaum (...) We will be here as long as the base and the people support us and until we have a solution," she warned. Led by Section 22 from Oaxaca, this latest mobilisation is part of a wider national day of action building momentum toward a full national strike called by the CNTE for 1 June."
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