Mass dismissal of social workers in the Public Defender’s Office generates rejection

Gilda Susana Lozoya Austin, sister of former Pemex director Emilio Lozoya, was detained at the Mexico City International Airport upon returning from Europe. During the initial hearing, he called his arrest a political matter.

Before the control judge Nora Ileana García Peralta, at the Federal Criminal Justice Center of the North Prison, the woman stated:

“I believe that this is a political case, where my mother, my sister-in-law and I, that is, the women in my family, have been used to pressure my brother.”

Statements at the hearing

Dressed in a blouse and jacket, Lozoya Austin explained that she left the country for a week to attend to a family matter. “And I returned because my family is here and I am here with the desire to cooperate,” he said. He added that when he left the country he had not been notified of the arrest warrant, and reiterated: “I am here to cooperate.”

At the end of the hearing, the place to which she would be transferred for safekeeping was not reported while her legal situation is resolved.

The IEPC sanctions

The Institute of Elections and Citizen Participation (IEPC) of Chiapas sanctioned those responsible for three Facebook pages for political violence against women. Those affected were two deputies of the 69th Legislature.

The pages “Portal Revolución”, “Ruleta Política” and “Expediente Chiapas” modified and disseminated images out of context. The objective, according to the IEPC, was to construct a sexist narrative that discredited the career of the legislators, attributing their political advancement to an alleged personal relationship.

The electoral authority stressed that these actions exceed freedom of expression. They do not constitute valid criticism, but rather digital, psychological and symbolic aggression.

“The offenders modified, disseminated and presented images and messages out of context… attributing a personal relationship with another person and building from it a narrative aimed at publicly disqualifying them,” the IEPC said.

The body explained that freedom of expression protects criticism of public exercise, but not when the message focuses on private life with a gender focus.

The measures imposed

Sanctions include: a public written apology that must remain on each page for 30 days; individual fines of 200 UMAs (between 22,628 and 23,462 pesos); and registration in the National and State Registry of Persons Sanctioned for Political Violence against Women for one year and four months. In addition, those responsible must take a specialized workshop on gender.

The IEPC highlighted that this type of violence affects not only the direct victims, but also discourages the participation of other women in public life, by reinforcing surveillance over their private lives and sexualizing their relationships.

More than 3 thousand elements for the operation

Local authorities announced that more than three thousand agents from different corporations will monitor the center of Guadalajara and the La Minerva roundabout next Sunday. The operation coincides with the match between Mexico and England, which will be played in Mexico City.

The decision was made after the excesses of last Tuesday, when Mexico’s victory against Ecuador caused more than 100,000 people to take to the streets. On that occasion, 40 people were arrested. Now, the state of force has been increased by 50% to prevent security from being overwhelmed.

The operation will start at 7:00 a.m., due to the Sunday bicycle ride that connects several points with the center of Guadalajara, where the Fan Fest is located. The authorities asked attendees to take precautions due to road closures.

Restrictions and alternatives

Starting at 2:00 p.m., access to the first square of the city will remain closed to vehicles. To avoid saturation at the Fan Fest, additional screens will be installed in the Plaza Guadalajara, the La Minerva roundabout, the San Jacinto Park, the Benito Juárez Auditorium and the Plaza de las Américas, in Zapopan.

In the La Minerva area there will also be traffic restrictions in several blocks around. The authorities called to respect the rules of coexistence to maintain an atmosphere of celebration and peace.

They recommended avoiding taking babies, girls, boys, older adults or people with reduced mobility to high-traffic areas, due to the risk posed by crowds. Glass bottles, fireworks, weapons, firecrackers and umbrellas will also not be allowed. In addition, food, drinks or flags larger than 2.5 meters cannot be brought into the Fan Fest.

As additional measures, they suggested comfortable clothing, constant hydration and going in trusted groups to prevent theft.

Elements of the Municipal, State, Metropolitan, Road Police, National Guard, Sedena, Civil Protection and Firefighters will participate in the operation. State and municipal authorities insisted that the celebration is an opportunity to demonstrate that Mexico and Jalisco are happy people, of peace and respectful of visitors and the city.