Mexico City, December 23 – Activists, musicians, and artists convened in Mexico City on Monday for a ‘posada’ (traditional Christmas celebration) transformed into a powerful protest against what they termed the ‘genocide and occupation’ in Palestine. The event, held a day before Christmas Eve festivities, served as a poignant act of remembrance and protest.
Artists Express Solidarity and Demand Justice
The demonstration, which took place at the anti-monument for Palestine, located in front of the Hemiciclo a Juárez in the capital’s Historic Center, featured a re-written litany for the traditional ‘posada’ song. Participants chanted, “In the name of the peoples, we come to demand: Palestine lives, they will not destroy it!”
Daniela González, a member of the Common Platform for Palestine, explained that the initiative, organized by various groups and individuals, aimed to use the festive season to highlight the dire situation in Palestine. She emphasized that the ongoing conflict, which she attributed to Israel with the complicity of the United States, leaves no room for Christmas celebrations for the Palestinian people.
“We called this gathering just one day before the Christmas festivities to remind all the people of Mexico and all the peoples of the world that Christmas does not exist in Palestine,” González stated.
Calls for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)
González further detailed that the mobilization sought to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine, denounce what she described as the re-occupation of Gaza and Palestinian territories, and encourage society to join the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The protestors also specifically urged the government of Claudia Sheinbaum to sever ties with Israel and halt arms purchases, advocating for an effective military embargo.
The protest incorporated various cultural and artistic expressions, including music, hip-hop performances by La Otra Rima, and poetry. A striking element of the demonstration involved the use of piñatas depicting figures of former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These piñatas were symbolically broken and burned as a form of protest and solidarity with the Palestinian people, underscoring demands for justice, freedom, and an end to impunity.
Chants of “Hit it, hit it, hit it, don’t lose your aim because Netanyahu is a murderer” accompanied the striking of the piñatas, while the effigy of Trump was set ablaze.
Broader Context and Ongoing Calls for Action
This protest in Mexico City aligns with a global wave of demonstrations and calls for action regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Activists worldwide have been increasingly vocal in demanding accountability and a cessation of hostilities.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from the participating organizations to continue their efforts in raising international awareness and pressuring political leaders to address the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
