Mexicans protest Trump, as well as their own leaders

MEXICO CITY — Thousands of Mexicans took to the streets of their capital and other cities Sunday afternoon to denounce President Donald Trump’s depictions of them as “rapists” and robbers and to demand “the respecting of Mexico.”

But according to much of the pre-protest chatter, many Mexicans planned to protest their own unpopular president and political class rather than Trump — even as the U.S. leader proceeds with plans for building a wall and continues to target the country’s currency and economy in tweets.

Vibra México (roughly, Mexico Moves), a “nonpartisan” and “respectful” protest organized by more than 70 civic groups, universities and nongovernment organizations, envisaged a protest that would condemn Trump’s treatment of Mexico, but also demand more of Mexican politicians.

The balance was proving difficult to maintain Sunday, however. Even with the perceived Trump threat looming, hashtags criticizing the Vibra México protest were trending on Twitter and march organizers were pleading with protesters to recognize Trump as the primary worry.

“Mexicans are outraged by many things. We’re outraged by poverty, we’re outraged by inequality, we’re outraged by impunity,” said Enrique Graue, rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the country’s largest public university and part of the Vibra México coalition. “The point is: What outrages us most? At this time, we’re most outraged by the treatment Mexico has received from the U.S. president.”

Organizers of a rival march in Mexico City, calling itself México Unido, or Mexico United, agree — although they explicitly called for support for President Enrique Peña Nieto, whose approval rating has plunged to 12 percent. “Dirty laundry is washed at home,” said Laura Herrejón, an advocate for the México Unido march.

Polls show a deep dislike of Trump south of the border, but many Mexicans voice more discontent about domestic matters than about disrespect from a foreign leader.