8M Marches Across Mexico: A National Overview

Responding to increased reports of violence against women, on Saturday, several International Women’s Day 8M marches took place across Mexico, with the main demonstration in the country’s capital and numerous cities participating nationwide.

In Yucatán, State of Mexico, Sonora, and other regions, thousands of women marched to commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, demanding gender equality and an end to violence against women.

Mexico City

The Mexico City government reported that more than 200,000 women participated in the 8M demonstration, which ended without major incidents. The march featured artistic performances, Mexican charras, and female motorcyclists, maintaining a generally peaceful atmosphere.

However, an incident occurred when authorities deployed tear gas against contingents gathered near the Metropolitan Cathedral. Members of the so-called “black bloc” reportedly attacked security fences placed in front of the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Some protesters launched fireworks and lit bonfires in the Zócalo square.

Throughout the march, the streets of Avenida Juárez, Paseo de la Reforma, and Madero leading to the capital’s Zócalo were painted purple.

Each woman marching this 8M carried a slogan, a cry of pain, a demand for justice. Grandmothers, mothers, daughters—adults, adolescents, children—of all ages no longer want gender-based violence in Mexico.

In front of the National Palace, the contingent asked Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s first female president, to come out. When she did not comply, protesters shouted, “she doesn’t see us, she doesn’t hear us, she ignores us!”

A reference to Sheinbaum’s campaign slogan, “We All Arrived,” protesters shouted “Hey Claudia, we didn’t all arrive!”

Yucatán

8M March — 8M marchers gather in Mérida in 2025. Photo: Social Networks

The demonstration, which began at La Plancha park shortly after 5:30 PM, brought together an estimated 8,000 women of all ages, including young girls and women wearing traditional Yucatecan hipil dresses. Participants carried signs with messages such as “NO means NO” and “We want to stay alive” as they advanced through downtown Mérida.

Prior to the march, authorities had taken protective measures at strategic locations, including the Palace of Music and monuments to Justo Sierra and the Flag. Notably, the Government Palace and City Hall had initially chosen not to cover their facades, though this would later prove consequential.

As early as 5 p.m, women and girls gathered at Mejorada Park to prepare their signs and organize contingents. Some messages expressed solidarity not only with Mexican women but also with women in conflict zones such as Gaza. Minor vandalism was seen along the Calle 47 “gastronomic corridor,” including at the entrances of private homes. The Montejo monument was spray-painted with the names of men the marchers accuse of violence against women.

By 6 p.m., the “purple tide” was advancing along Calle 60, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, accompanied by drums and chants advocating for women’s rights. A wedding at the Church of the Third Order was surrounded by the marchers who chanted to the groom, “Take care of her! Take care of her!”

The situation intensified at approximately 7:30 p.m. when the women arrived at the Plaza Grande, facing the Government Palace, which was heavily guarded by police behind security barriers. Some protesters began striking and jumping over these barriers, particularly near the entrance to the Government Palace. In response, police used a firehose and suspected teargas to disperse demonstrators.

During the confrontation, one woman fainted and required medical assistance, while another was sprayed with a torrent of water as she climbed over the security barriers. Despite these incidents, protests continued around the Cathedral of Mérida, where women posted denunciations against alleged abusers on protective barriers surrounding the church.

By 8:50 p.m., authorities deployed tear gas against demonstrators in front of the Government Palace. The protesters then moved toward City Hall, which unlike the Government Palace, had not been protected with barriers as previously announced by Mayor Cecilia Patrón. There, they burned a banner related to International Women’s Day that had been placed by the local administration.

The City of Mérida later confirmed material damage to the Municipal Palace and the detention of two men in connection with these events.

The municipality expressed its continued commitment to “the full recognition of women’s rights and their struggle for equality, not as a concession, but as what corresponds to them by justice.”

Additional marches took place in Yucatán municipalities including Kanasín, Conkal, and Yaxkukul.

Other Regions

Oaxaca

The feminist march in Oaxaca was dispersed with tear gas by state police and riot officers as protesters reached the city’s main square. Demonstrators condemned this action as a violation of their right to peaceful protest.

“In Oaxaca, being a woman means to resist,” they chanted while advancing and painting messages demanding legal abortion and greater security.

Since the previous Friday, the state government had installed metal barriers to protect buildings in the main square, which protesters viewed as a provocation.

In the first 100 days of 2025, 14 femicides have been recorded and 11 women remain missing in the state. Protesters also demanded justice for Sandra Domínguez, an activist who disappeared five months ago.

Simultaneously in Juchitán, young people marched to denounce the daily violence they face and demanded the release of Diidxazá artist, who was detained on Tuesday accused of carrying a firearm.

Campeche

Protesters arrived at the Government Palace where they broke windows in demonstration against gender violence and to demand authorities address crimes against women.

Quintana Roo

In Cancun, more than two thousand women participated in the 8M march. Demonstrations also occurred in Playa del Carmen, where offices at the Municipal Palace were set on fire.

Puebla

In Puebla, protesters started a fire at the Special Prosecutor’s Office for the Investigation of Crimes of Gender Violence against Women. Several demonstrators entered the office in the Historic Center and set fire to three offices and documents. By Saturday night, cleanup work had already begun at the site.

Guanajuato

During the march in Guanajuato, objects were burned at the entrance to the Municipal Presidency of León, affecting the building’s facade as flames spread several meters.

State of Mexico

Similar to Mexico City, in the State of Mexico, authorities deployed tear gas against protesters in front of the State Attorney General’s Office after demonstrators attempted to remove metal barriers around the courthouse. In Toluca, the black bloc was present in the city center.