The Massacre of Tlatelolco

The Massacre of Tlatelolco

Students from many universities in Mexico were meeting and planning protests against the Mexican government. They wanted the government to respect the universities, and allow them their autonomy. They were also protesting the police attack on a high school in Tlatelolco, which had happen on September 1, 1968. Many student leaders and professors had been handing out flyers in public busses and streets in order to inform the Mexican people of what their government was doing. They planned meetings, and marches trough public and open spaces avoiding the government to riot against them. Ten days before the Olympics, 15 thousand students took the streets to protest the army's occupation of the university campus. That afternoon 5,000 students and many other demonstrators and citizens who were supporting the students, congregated in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco. They were united for noble causes and I want to clarify that this was a peaceful protest.

Protesters were soon joined by army and police forces, equipped with armored cars and tanks. They surrounded the students and helicopters shunned spotlights directly at the students. Protesters were chanting louder, more than ever, demanding the repeal of Articles 145 and 145b of the Penal Code (which sanctioned imprisonment of anyone attending meetings of three or more people, deemed to threaten public order).The abolition of granaderos (the tactical police corps).Freedom for political prisoners. The dismissal of the chief of police and his deputies. The identification of officials responsible for the bloodshed from previous government repressions (July and August meetings). Yet the President of Mexico was determined to stop the student movements before the Olympics.

It started with the October 2^nd sunset. Police and Army forces fired directly at the students, it had been a direct order from the President. The forces enclosed the protesters, and killed students, demonstrators and passersby alike, including children. Dead bodies filled the streets quickly, some who did not die immediately, were brutally beaten. Some were arrested and other got away with severe injuries. Not only this but, soldiers went to nearby houses and killed anyone who tried to hide the students, or assisted their wounds. The killing continue trough the night. Many witnesses claim that the bodies were removed by garbage trucks.

The government defended themselves with arguments stating that the students, had attacked the forces, and they had to return fire in self defense. The President, Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, was convicted with genocide charges, but was release due to the lack of evidence.

The U.S.A plays a huge role in this even because the Pentagon sent military radios, weapons, and ammunition and riot control training material to Mexico before and during the crisis. This equipment was used to kill hundreds or even thousands of students.

The U.S released statements made by Government officials, 6 days before the massacre, stating that the student movements were going to be under control very shortly.

Yet, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz was never found guilty.

This event has a huge impact on me, and to many Chicanos and Mexican students, because it shows that students have always stood up for their rights, and they create peaceful walkouts, and protests. No one should forget The Massacre of Tlatelolco, because those students did make a change in society.

Here in San Diego, students from Mission Bay, have been protesting against weapons training in their schools and are still struggling to achieve that. My sister is one of those students and I am their follower, Tlatelolco represents the struggle that every student should do to make sure they always receive a better education and their rights are being respected. I admire the student leaders, the CNH, and every student who lost their life that rainy night, in order to defend their education.