This Thursday, members of the Assembly of Neighborhoods stormed the Mexico City Congress building, forcing their way into the legislative complex. The group of protesters’ entry disrupted the day’s scheduled activities.
In response to the intrusion, the Board of Directors declared an immediate recess to ensure the safety of those present. The legislators remain inside the plenary hall while conditions are assessed for resuming parliamentary work.
During the session, Patricia Urriza, a representative from the Citizens’ Movement party, was interrupted by the President of the Board of Directors, Jesús Sesma Suárez, who stated that the session was being suspended due to a “protest infiltration.”
“I ask all the deputies and everyone in this chamber to remain here. We are going to take a recess until conditions allow. We have received information about a protest. I ask you please not to leave. We are already taking the necessary measures. We are suspending this session. We are going to take a 30-minute recess,” stated the Speaker of the House, Jesús Sesma Suárez.
According to El Universal, the protesters gathered early this morning at the intersection of Donceles and Allende streets to begin their demonstration.
As the minutes passed, the group intensified their chants and escalated the pressure by attempting to force their way into the legislative building.
In an attempt to mediate the situation, Deputies Xóchitl Bravo and Jesús Sesma went to the lobby to listen to the protesters’ demands; however, the tension led to some of the demonstrators entering the building.
Given the risk, security personnel protected Representative Xóchitl Bravo, escorting her to the plenary session under emergency conditions and keeping her safe along with the other legislators.
In an official statement, the Mexico City Congress condemned the events that took place on April 9th, perpetrated by a group of protesters seeking to voice their demands regarding housing.
The institution emphasized that, while committed to freedom of expression, it will not tolerate aggression that endangers people or property.
“We strongly condemn any act of aggression that threatens the physical safety of the representatives, staff of the local Congress, and visitors, as well as historical heritage, such as the building that houses the local Legislative Branch,” the statement reads.
After several minutes of uncertainty, the plenary session of the Mexico City Congress resumed its legislative activities.
The Speaker of the House, Jesús Sesma, reported that a dialogue table has been established with the protesters and the three committees that requested their presence to address their housing demands.
The legislator announced that the Political Coordination Board (Jucopo) will be convened to conduct a review of security protocols.
He also indicated that the building’s technological resources will be used to investigate the incident, following reports from female protesters of alleged assaults during the altercation.
“We will be convening the Political Coordination Board to review the protocols, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to those who work in this building and who make it possible to ensure the safety of those of us who work here. (…) We also have an obligation to review, using the technological resources and tools available to the Congress, to clearly ascertain what happened.”
Source: politico
