On March 4, 2025, residents of Mexico City (CDMX) are faced with massive traffic disruptions as various groups organize significant protests throughout the capital. At the forefront of these demonstrations is the Movimiento Plural de Comerciantes de Mercados Públicos de la Ciudad de México (MPCMP-CDMX), which is leading the charge against the mandatory digitization of market processes, impacting public trade.
The protests began early Tuesday morning, with activities officially kicking off around 8:00 AM. Participants are gathering from multiple starting points, including Estación Viaducto, Hemiciclo a Juárez, Parque de los Periodistas Ilustres, Avenida 20 de Noviembre and República de Uruguay, and the Mercado de la Merced. The ultimate destination for the demonstrators is the Secretaría de Gobierno of Mexico City, located at Plaza de la Constitución.
Simultaneously, at about 10:00 AM, workers from the Miguel Hidalgo borough are set to march from the Monumento a la Revolución to the Zócalo, demanding recognition of their labor rights amid concerns over job security. A later assembly at 11:00 AM will include retirees gathering at Tlatelolco, advocating for pension adjustments tied to the minimum wage rather than the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA), which has consistently failed to reflect actual living costs.
The various protests are centered on pressing issues affecting numerous civic workers, vendors, and retirees. The MPCMP-CDMX demands the complete repeal of recently published guidelines regulating public markets, which they claim invalidates their currently held permits. Specifically, these guidelines include provisions for digitization, which many vendors argue create barriers to their livelihoods. "No queremos colapsar la ciudad, pero estamos defendiendo nuestro patrimonio," stated the vendors, emphasizing their resistance not as malicious, but as necessary for their survival.
A wide range of neighborhoods will be affected by protests throughout the day, including Iztacalco, Cuauhtémoc, Iztapalapa, Xochimilco, Coyoacán, and Gustavo A. Madero. Main thoroughfares impacted include Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, Fray Servando Teresa de Mier, Calzada de Tlalpan, and Avenida Congreso de la Unión. Authorities have confirmed these streets will endure closures and heavy delays, urging citizens to plan their travel accordingly.
Residents are advised to seek alternative routes or public transportation to navigate around the gridlock. Potential detours include the Circuito Interior, Periférico, and Avenida Chapultepec. Those needing to cross through the city may find utility in lesser-known roads like José María Izazaga and viaducto Miguel Alemán.
Cautioned by the Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC), authorities recommended avoiding high-traffic areas, particularly those around the Zócalo and main avenues during peak protest times. The SSC also announced traffic management strategies, which include diversions and the possibility of increased police presence to maintain order and safety.
The mobilizations today are part of broader concerns over economic distress leading to social unrest. Vendors and laborers alike are raising their voices against what they perceive as systemic neglect by governmental bodies, particularly surrounding labor rights, economic justice, and anti-corruption efforts.
Reports indicate this protest follows previous demonstrations, including one on February 10, where similar issues were raised, marking increasing tensions between the government and public vendor sectors. Each wave of protests amplifies grievances, urging city officials to reconsider their approach to public markets and labor rights.
Authorities and civic groups alike are bracing for the impact of these protests on urban mobility and community relations. The protests reflect just how intertwined the issues of labor rights and economic policy remain, magnified against the backdrop of rapid digitization affecting traditional trade practices.
Today’s events pose not only immediate disturbances but also long-term questions about the direction of Mexico City’s urban economy and the role of traditional markets amid increasing commercialization and digital mandates.