Activists asked to leave Civic Center

A group of activists were allegedly asked to leave the Civic Center for one day in order to let the state hold an Independence Day celebration.

Members of Mexicali Resiste, the group that has kept a “protest camp” for months next to City Hall and the State Building, posted on social media videos of those who have been identified as staff from the Civil Protection Unit.

The officials had presumably asked protestors to relocate their camp on Sept. 15 so the state could move forward with the Mexican Independence Day event that night.

According to protestors, the officials were warned for group members’ security.

The officials said protestors would be allowed to re-setup their camp the following day.

Traditionally, the standing governor delivers a cry and waves the Mexican flag before attendants while on the building’s balcony as a recreation of the launching of Mexico’s Independence revolution in 1810, which is known in Spanish as “El Grito.”

The group said it is preparing what has been named as the “Antigrito.”

In a press conference, group members asked Governor Francisco Vega to keep negotiating the terms included in a petition filed at the beginning of the year.

The group also recalled they are legally entitled to stay protesting.

Mexicali Resiste has petitioned the cancellation of Constellation Brands beer plant in southern Mexicali.

Group member Martha Alicia Pérez said members will only be removed by use of force.

In that case, the group said they will move on with other protesting measures.

— Arturo Bojorquez, abojorquez@ivpressonline.com