Because nothing says “progress” like erasing memory with a hammer
Ah, the beautiful Mexican tradition of vandalizing monuments as if it were a national sport. This time it was the turn of the tribute to the 43 Ayotzinapa students on Paseo de la Reforma, because what better way to honor their memory than by destroying their portraits just when the 2026 World Cup is approaching? Coincidence, of course. In short, they had only been demanding justice for a decade.
The art of disappearing… even memories
The black and white portraits –because even the color was stolen– and the QR code that linked to the uncomfortable GIEI report (the one that pointed to the Army) woke up in tatters. Who did it? Mystery. But if they guess “political interests,” they earn a place in the cynics’ club. There was even a fire, because nothing says “respect” like setting fire to justice.
The Memory Route organization did not bite its tongue: it accused the capital’s government and the World Cup enthusiasts of wanting a “clean” city (read: without social complaints). “It is a premeditated attack,” they denounced. Come on, if disappearing 43 young people was not enough, now even their photos have to disappear. Consistency is what we lack.
The monument, installed in 2015, had already been vandalized in January… and repaired. But, surprise, selective amnesia strikes again. Melitón Ortega, uncle of one of the students, summed it up with unintentional irony: “They destroyed the QR code, right where the truth is.” Because in Mexico, the truth bothers more than a chili in the eye.
Moral? If you want something to be forgotten in this country, break it, burn it or… organize a mega sporting event. Total, football unites… even if it is over unpunished corpses.
Are you outraged? Share this note and remember: memory is the last refuge when justice is just a vandalized monument. Explore more stories that power would like to erase.
