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Protest Disrupts Angela Davis Lecture at UNAM Image: Gabriel Pano/ EL UNIVERSAL.
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

Protest Disrupts Angela Davis Lecture at UNAM

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A protest disrupted Angela Davis's lecture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
  • Protesters demanded accountability for violence against women and called for prison system abolition.
  • The activist remained seated during the interruption, and the lecture eventually began after a commitment to dialogue.

A group of young protesters briefly halted a master lecture by renowned writer, feminist, and activist Angela Davis at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The demonstration, which lasted over 15 minutes, occurred during Davis's talk titled "Abolition, Feminism, Now."

UNAM is criminal and paramilitary

— ProtestersSlogan displayed on banners during the protest.

Protesters unfurled banners stating "UNAM is criminal and paramilitary" and insisted that "UNAM is whitewashing itself with the presence of Angela Davis." Davis, however, remained seated on the stage, maintaining a calm and attentive demeanor as officials attempted to continue the event. Some audience members also tried to remove the protesters from the stage, shouting "Get down!"

UNAM is whitewashing itself with the presence of Angela Davis

— ProtestersAccusation made by protesters during the demonstration.

The demands from the protesters were varied, including calls for clarification and investigation into the responsibilities for women who have died in recent months at Santa Martha Acatitla. They also advocated for sex workers' rights, the abolition of the prison system, and urgent attention to the issues facing young people.

Get down!

— Audience membersShouted by attendees attempting to remove protesters from the stage.

Rosa Beltrán, Director of UNAM Culture, attempted to dialogue with the demonstrators, expressing frustration but requesting respect for the lecture. She noted that securing Davis's visit had been a years-long effort. Many attendees, who had waited for hours to enter the venue, also voiced their desire to hear Davis speak. Ultimately, after a commitment was made to form dialogue groups to address their demands, the main protester left the stage, allowing the lecture to officially commence.

It's not your space

— Audience membersShouted by attendees to the protesters.
About this summary

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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