On March 21, 2025, the streets of Mexico City were filled with the vibrant chants of members of La Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) as they embarked on a pivotal march as part of their 72-hour protest. This anticipatory movement, initiated around 9:00 AM at the San Cosme Metro station on Line 2, saw approximately 8,000 educators making their way toward the Zócalo, the heart of the capital.
The CNTE's ongoing mobilization primarily aims to demand the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado), a move the members argue undermines their retirement benefits. Specifically, the educators are calling for a return to a solidarity pension system and are adamantly opposed to counting on individual accounts managed by private administrators, known as Afores, or using the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA) for pension calculations.
During the march, they articulated demands for the retirement age to be lowered to 28 years for women and 30 for men, arguing that such changes reflect the realities and challenges faced in the teaching profession. Another central grievance includes calls for the immediate withdrawal of a proposed initiative to reform the ISSSTE Law, introduced on February 7, 2025.
Certainly, the protests have significant implications for mobility within the city. Protests and potential blockades were anticipated along their march route, which included notable avenues like the Avenida Ribera de San Cosme, Avenida México-Tenochtitlán, Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Hidalgo, Eje Central, and Avenida 5 de Mayo. Authorities were bracing for heavy traffic disruption as a result of the educators’ presence and activities across the downtown area.
Sections 9, 10, and 11 of the CNTE coordinated their gathering at the Hangares station of Line 5 and Oceanía Metro station. The protests have been uniquely characterized by solidarity demonstrations from retired teachers, supporters, and sympathetic individuals from various sectors, indicating a broader concern over labor rights and social justice.
As the day progressed, the CNTE reaffirmed their commitment to the protest, signaling that even with some governmental discussions regarding the initiative withdrawal, such as the recent move by President Claudia Sheinbaum to retract a proposal for reform, they would not relent until their demands were fully met. The march began to gather momentum as it unfolded towards the Zócalo, drawing increasing attention from various sectors of society.
The significance of the protests extends beyond just the immediate demands of the CNTE. They invoke critical discussions about the pension systems, labor rights, and education reform in Mexico, topics that resonate broadly across different layers of society. As public institutions rally around the cause, the CNTE is positioning itself as a key player in the ongoing conversations surrounding labor rights within educational frameworks.
By late morning, reports indicated chaotic traffic conditions, especially towards the Zócalo, as nearby thoroughfares were closed to accommodate the marchers. As bystanders and fellow citizens watched the stream of educators march past, there was palpable tension yet also a sense of unity among those advocating for systemic change.
Anti-privatization sentiments echoed through the streets as the CNTE asserted, “The fight continues until the ISSSTE Law is repealed, and solidarity pensions are restored,” reminding both leaders and citizens of the necessity for an education system that values its workers.
With the possibility of further mobilizations across the city, including the potential for an indefinite strike, the CNTE maintains that their voice will not simply fade away.
As the day wound down, Colombian solidarity protests for various causes surfaced together with commemorations like the “Día Mundial del Agua,” reinforcing the responsive nature of civil society in the face of ongoing challenges. In their pursuit of equitable labor rights, the teachers and supporters alike prepared for further days of action, urging fellow citizens to plan accordingly for theatrical, yet empowering movements.
The CNTE's protests present a unique moment in Mexico's socio-political landscape, demonstrating a revival of civic engagement accompanied by growing awareness of workers' rights, especially among educators.
As the day turned towards evening, the streets were echoed with slogans of hope and resistance, underscoring the educators' ultimate goal for a more just system.
