Discussion on Forced Evictions in Mexico City Postponed After Protests at SCJN
Mexico City, January 19 – Dozens of people blocked the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) in Mexico City on Monday, successfully postponing the discussion of a project that protesters claim would “legitimize” forced evictions. Activists allege that these evictions are on the rise in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The protest, which began at 8:00 AM local time, continued into the afternoon with a road closure in front of the Supreme Court, as activists awaited the outcome of dialogue with SCJN ministers.
Protesters Demand Re-evaluation of Project
After nearly four hours of blocking all entrances to the highest court, the members of the Court announced in session the withdrawal of the discussion of the project in question, which was overseen by Minister María Estela Ríos González.
“It has been withdrawn, but what we are asking for is that the direction of the project be re-evaluated,” explained Arturo Aparicio, legal advisor to residents evicted in various areas of the Mexican capital.
The Legal Conflict Over Article 60 and the Right to Housing
The project was a response to the unconstitutionality action 73/2019, filed seven years ago by the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City, against the elimination of a series of guarantees in eviction cases. These guarantees were contained in Article 60 of the Constitutional Law of Human Rights and its Guarantees of Mexico City, which came into force in February 2019 and was reformed in May of the same year.
Aparicio emphasized that their main demand is to return to the original wording of Article 60 so that there are no more evictions in Mexico City that violate human rights.
Gentrification and the Impact of the 2026 World Cup in CDMX
Eduardo Alanís, an activist from the Anti-Gentrification Front, argued that the project seeks to “legitimize” arbitrary expulsions by validating that current legislation is constitutional, despite allowing evictions without basic guarantees such as a prior trial.
“This project turns its back on those of us who live in this city and is in favor of real estate companies. All this happens because of five World Cup matches,” Alanís stated, linking the real estate pressure with the international sporting event.
The lawyer specified that this does not mean that individuals will lose their property, but that there must be real legal guarantees for tenants, such as prior notice of eviction and the right to be heard before a judge.
Testimonies: The Human Face of Evictions in the Historic Center
Rufina Galindo, who was evicted from her home in the Historic Center in 2023, called on Mexico’s first popularly elected Court to prioritize the interests of the citizenry.
“I ask our authorities, the ministers who were elected by the people, to think of the people, who need them to fight for their rights to decent housing,” stressed the 71-year-old woman.
The protest, which began at 8:00 AM local time, continued into the afternoon with a road closure in front of the Supreme Court, as activists awaited the outcome of dialogue between the activist committee and the SCJN ministers.
Source: Agence EFE
