Monument to the Montejo ‘covered in blood’ once again
A group of protesters staged a demonstration in front of the monument to the Montejo, vandalizing it and chanting anti-colonialistic slogans.
The protestors covered the well-known city landmark with red paint and handprints, to represent the blood spilled by European conquerors.
Known as Columbus Day in much of the English-speaking world, but as El Día de la Raza, or “race day” in Mexico, October 12th commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492.
Though in the past the day used to be celebrated in schools and was akin to a holiday, in recent years the anniversary has taken on a more controversial tone.
But last night’s protest was not just an anti-colonialism rally, as protestors also chanted slogans such as “out with Kekén” and “Justice for José Eduardo.” These calls made reference to the environmental damage being allegedly caused by the large pork producer and the death of a young gay man at the hands of police in Mérida last summer.
Several individuals and organizations have come forward with alternate designs which could replace the monument to the Montejo. For example, the architect Falú Balamb has designed a new monument that honors Yucatán’s pre-Hispanic heritage and is in talks with city officials to make it happen.
Earlier: Mérida’s monument to the Montejo, an icon of history or bigotry?
This is not the first time the monument to the Montejo has been vandalized, as it has been the target for demonstrators protesting issues surrounding colonialism, racism, and women’s issues since it was erected in 2010.
The statue in question depicts Francisco de Montejo, known as El Adelantado (the one that came first), and his son, Francisco de Montejo, who were the first Europeans to occupy Yucatán.
Though the statue has not been popular with a large part of Mérida’s population, calls for its removal were reinvigorated when news came that a statue of Christopher Columbus which stood since 1877 would be removed from Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City.
There is little doubt that the Monument to the Montejo will continue to be a focal point for protests going further, as well as a target for people wanting to get their point across.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
