«The street belongs to those who walk it»
‒Francesca Gargallo.
On a hot, dry afternoon in March, Mexico City was dyed violet and green. Thousands and thousands of young women – and some not so young – joined forces with the jacaranda trees in bloom.
Carrying their centuries-old indignation, they flooded the streets and shouted "justice." Paseo de la Reforma was packed from wall to wall; it had never been so full of women before.
Around one hundred thousand people went to march, to commemorate March 8, 2023, International Women's Day, which is not celebrated, as it is the commemoration of a tragic event. However, women festively jump, remember, shout, sing and dance.
The fall of the patriarchy is predicted in the face of women's struggles. The decriminalization of abortion is demanded throughout the national territory and the fall, the fall, of the femicides. This is a celebration, yes, for life, for the life of women free from violence.
As violence has increased, so has anger and the feminist struggle. “Not one more, not one more murdered woman.” But it doesn’t stop. Machista fury rapes and kills without respite. It has taken us half a century to achieve a true, multitudinous generational change. This was our dream in the 1970s, but the price has been very high. The desire for revenge against the purple tsunami is fierce.
The great dream that we continue to have, however, is that of Rosa Luxemburg from more than a century ago: "For a world where we are socially equal, humanly different and totally free."
After a bright and vibrant afternoon, came the abrupt darkness of the capital's main square: the authorities turned off our lights. But the fight continues and continues.
You may be interested in: Photographic account of the 8M march in CDMX
