The head of the government of Mexico City assured that he never gave the order to repress the self-proclaimed march of Generation Z last Saturday, but he acknowledged this Monday the violent acts of some police officers. “I gave orders that a thorough investigation be conducted into the actions of some police officers, into some elements who could have committed abuses on protesters. It was never the intention, nor was it an order,” Clara Brugada said in a press conference.
The capital’s government deployed 800 officers to accompany the march of 17,000 people following complaints from young people against political violence and corruption, supported by opposition actors. To participate in the protest, the police officers wore only their personal protective equipment, that is, they only brought shields, knee pads, helmets and some fire extinguishers to put out any fires resulting from the demonstration. “There were no rubber bullets, batons, water cannons or other types of instruments,” Brugada insisted. “I will never give the order to repress any public expression or demonstration, I say this categorically,” he said.
However, the Secretary of Security of Mexico City, Pablo Vásquez, specified that the available images and videos of the clashes between police and demonstrators were analyzed when the march reached the Zócalo. As a result, they identified 18 “incidents potentially constituting violations of the police action protocol and other legal provisions” by police officers, including the use of excessive force. “An internal administrative investigation has been launched to conduct interviews with uniformed officers and continue the investigation,” the secretary said, adding that seven police officers have been suspended while the investigation, which includes attacks on journalists covering the event, takes place.
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