For more than two decades, the regularization of the property, located at 119 Durango Street in the Roma Norte neighborhood, was sought. Therefore, the recent delivery of housing to the Otomí community by Mayor Clara Brugada was not just a government resource or the achievement of one person; it was a collective success, in which the Mexican Alliance of Resident Organizations (AMOR) and the Otomí Mashey Front defeated corruption, gentrification, and discrimination.
This was affirmed by Lorena García Alonso, leader of AMOR, who highlighted the work of the local leader, Lázaro García Sóstenes, of Otomí origin, whose loyalty to his people made this important achievement possible. Thank you for that and because, in the face of multiple adversities, you did not give up, you did it, and we did it.
He noted that it’s true that there was a lot of strength and conviction, “but above all, we are aware of the role we, as leaders, play. In these times when the figures and leaders who direct the destinies of countries are faltering or dying, it’s important to recognize those who guide the people with conscience and love. Congratulations, Lázaro, for making a difference.”
AMOR has fought a series of struggles for years to support those with less than a little piece of their homeland.
Beginning in 2000, he worked on high-risk structural properties in Colonia Roma, achieving the expropriation of several properties located on streets such as Zacatecas 65, Zacatecas 52, 54, and 56 at the corner of Mérida 163, 165, and 167, Chihuahua 58, Mérida 105, and Durango 119.
Meanwhile, in the Centro neighborhood, the expropriation of Allende 46 was achieved, which is being followed up and is currently being handed over and is in the process of being deeded.
The expropriation of Allende 48 was also achieved after injunctions and legal confrontations. It is now 60% complete.
Likewise, the expropriation of Chihuahua 191 has already been achieved (an injunction may still be filed to prevent it from going through), Zacatecas 74, in the Roma neighborhood (almost 20 years of processing, updating, facing injunctions, institutional obstacles, etc.), and Eje Central 53, which was even handed over in an emotional event (it also had an invasion, and the interest of officials from previous administrations in trying to seize it was noticeable).
“In the face of this greed, AMOR,” says its leader, Lorena García Alonso, “has served as a rallying point for forming an alliance to defend housing projects. We have also advised other organizations and independent leaders so they can secure their little piece of the homeland, a decent place to live.”
And it maintains a connection with different ethnic groups and social organizations, with whom we have expressed solidarity.”
On the other hand, since 2004, the Mexican Alliance of Resident Organizations has provided legal and social support to the various ethnic groups of the Ciudadela Artisanal Center: Triqui, Otomi, Nahua, Tzotzile, and Huichol.
García Alonso states: “These have been years of struggle to support the people. I have experienced death threats, verbal attacks, discrimination, and they have even tried to “buy” me. I have faced very powerful people in politics and businessmen who, at all costs, have wanted me to betray my people for a few pesos because of the location of the properties for building social housing.”
The AMOR leader commented, “On May 9th, we handed over the property at Durango 119 in the presence of Mayor Clara Brugada Molina and Secretary of Housing Inti Muñoz Santini, who They mentioned the struggle that the Otomi community waged to combat gentrification and the resilience of our community, which is why we are and will be a community that, with LOVE, has broken through all those obstacles.
Source: oem
