MEXICO CITY, June 3 — Protesting teachers pulled down several towering football player statues along Mexico City’s main boulevard on Monday, warning of escalating demonstrations ahead of the World Cup if the government fails to address their labour demands.
MEXICO CITY, June 3 — Protesting teachers pulled down several towering football player statues along Mexico City’s main boulevard on Monday, warning of escalating demonstrations ahead of the World Cup if the government fails to address their labour demands.
A dissident faction of the national teachers’ union, CNTE, organised the protest and has also threatened mass rallies during the World Cup opening on June 11.
The five-metre-tall plastic statues of international football players are displayed along the tree-lined Paseo de la Reforma, a major avenue in the capital bordered by skyscrapers.
During the protest, demonstrators used ropes to topple three statues, stripped them of their uniforms, and set them on fire. Red graffiti was also left on one mannequin reading “Long live the CNTE” and “If there isn’t a solution, the ball won’t roll.”
Police had previously dispersed a CNTE march near the Zocalo plaza using tear gas and sound grenades, while security barriers continued to surround the area designated for the World Cup fan zone.
The CNTE faction is demanding a 100 per cent salary increase and opposing pension reforms, rejecting a nine per cent raise agreed between the government and the official union leadership.
Tuesday’s protest caused road closures and severe traffic congestion in the capital. Statues representing players from Belgium, France and Spain were among those toppled, while the Mexican figure remained standing.
Police did not intervene during the incident.
One protester said the action was a response to unmet demands, questioning how authorities define crime when rights are not addressed.
President Claudia Sheinbaum described the protest as peaceful and urged continued dialogue. Mexico will co-host the World Cup with the United States and Canada. — AFP
PARIS, June 7 — US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned yesterday that Europe was facing what he described as an “invasion” of dangerous ideologies arriving by sea, drawing a link between immigration and the legacy of the D-Day landings during remarks in Normandy.
PUTRAJAYA, June 7 — The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) has begun monitoring operations following reports of a mysterious bright light spotted in Sabah’s airspace earlier this week.
IPOH, June 7 — Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who was found safe after going missing for 14 days during a trek at Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah, recounted how she survived in the forest without carrying any food or water.