Mexicans Against March Against Gentrification After Government Unveils Plan To Tackle Housing Problems

Hundreds of Mexicans again marched against gentrification in Mexico City on Sunday, protesting against some effects of the large influx of expatriates over the past years.

Authorities said that forces carried out an operation to prevent clashes after a previous march turned violent in some places. Even though the event was mostly peaceful, there were some incidents, said Mayor Clara Burgada.

The march took place days after officials announced a 14-point plan to address housing and gentrification problems, including a law to regulate rental prices and prevent people from being displaced.

Brugada said last week that an "objective and rigorous methodology" will be implemented to regulate temporary housing rentals and avoid "the loss of the community's roots and identity." An agency will also be set up to enforce the law.

"The issue of gentrification is one of the most important issues in the city today, but it is not new either. It is not only an issue for the city, but also for the entire world, and it means the displacement of thousands of families," Brugada said.

The U.S. embassy in Mexico had warned residents to avoid the demonstration area, considering that, in the previous march, some protesters "vandalized property and threw rocks at people perceived to be foreigners."

"U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations that may be deemed political by authorities, as Mexican law prohibits political activities by foreign citizens, and participation may result in detention or deportation," the embassy added.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the first march that took place earlier this month, calling it "xenophobic." Sheinbaum said the "xenophobic displays seen at that protest have to be condemned." "No one should be able to say 'any nationality get out of our country' even over a legitimate problem like gentrification," she added, claiming that the country has always been "open, fraternal."

The Associated Press noted that Sheinbaum has been accused of fueling mass tourism following the signing of an agreement with Airbnb and UNESCO in 2022 when she was the mayor of Mexico

It added that, especially since the 2020 pandemic, some neighborhoods have seen a large influx of foreign tourists and digital nomads, their arrival driving up housing costs. "Gentrification isn't just foreigners' fault, it's the fault of the government and these companies that prioritize the money foreigners bring," said the Mexico City Anti-Gentrification Front, one of the groups behind the protest.

The organization condemned the violence but it denied the protests were xenophobic. "Young people and the working class can't afford to live here," the group added in a statement.