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Mexico teachers topple, burn soccer statues in salary protest
🇹🇷 Turkey /Culture & Society

Mexico teachers topple, burn soccer statues in salary protest

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Teachers in Mexico City protested salary and pension reforms by toppling and burning statues of soccer players.
  • The demonstrators, part of the CNTE union's dissident wing, demanded a 100% salary increase and the withdrawal of pension reforms.
  • They warned of further protests during the World Cup if their demands are not met, while the president called the protests peaceful.

Teachers in Mexico City staged a dramatic protest, toppling and setting fire to statues representing soccer players along the Paseo de la Reforma boulevard. The demonstrators, from the dissident wing of the National Teachers' Union (CNTE), demanded a 100% salary increase and the reversal of pension reforms. They rejected the government's offer of a 9% raise.

The protesters, who had previously clashed with police, warned that mass demonstrations would occur during the World Cup opening on June 11 if the government fails to meet their demands. The statues, some 5 meters high and representing different countries for the upcoming World Cup, were daubed with red slogans. Chants included "Long live CNTE" and "If there is no solution, the ball will not roll."

Long live CNTE

— ProtestersSlogans written in red paint on the toppled statues.

Notably, statues representing Belgium, France, and Spain were toppled, while a statue bearing the Mexican team's jersey was left untouched. Security has been increased around the Zocalo square, which will host fan events during the World Cup. The protests caused significant traffic disruptions in the city center.

President Claudia Sheinbaum described the protests as "peaceful" and called for dialogue. Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada.

If there is no solution, the ball will not roll.

— ProtestersSlogans written in red paint on the toppled statues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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