Education is not a privilege, but repression seems to be state policy
Because nothing says “progressive government” like beating out students who only ask for more budget for their schools. After the violent operation against the sit-in at the Los Ríos Technological Institute in Balancán, the young people of Villahermosa took to the streets to remind the State that, surprise, militarization is not exactly what they promised.
“No more fees, no more blows”: the motto that no one asked for but everyone needs
In front of the Government Palace, the students—those idealistic beings who still believe in public education—read a petition that included gems like “punish those responsible” (how crazy, right?) and eliminate university fees. Ricardo, a Sociology and Philosophy student at UNAM, dropped pearls like: “López Obrador promised not to militarize the country and it was the first thing he did.” Wow, who would have thought: a politician breaking promises.
Among signs that read “May Oppressor” and “Hitting students is a sign of a useless government” (not subtle, but effective), the young people pointed out that the UJAT charges almost $5,000 pesos for registration… in a public school. Because, of course, what better way to guarantee education for everyone than by charging as if they were Harvard?
And as if that were not enough, Luis Castillejos, a UJAT student, uttered the phrase of the day: “From this to Tlatelolco there is only one step”. Nothing like a little historical memory to remember that, in Mexico, student repression is like a bad joke that is repeated every decade.
Solution? Organization. Government response? More likely, another eviction
Ricardo, in a burst of optimism, asked the students to organize against repression. Meanwhile, the authorities are probably already preparing the next operation… I mean, the next “constructive dialogue.” Because, what would Mexico be without its beaten students and its unfulfilled promises?
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