“Protest Against Gentrification Held at Mexico City Contemporary Art Museum”

MEXICO CITY — On July 20, anti-gentrification protesters vandalized the contemporary art museum of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The protest was part of ongoing demonstrations against rising housing prices and displacement in the city. Protesters, adopting black bloc tactics, damaged windows and graffitied parts of the campus, including the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC). The protest, initially planned to remain peaceful, ended up at the UNAM campus unexpectedly after encounters with riot police.

While no artworks were harmed, the damage to the museum’s infrastructure and the cultural significance of the site drew widespread attention. Notable academics and artists condemned the vandalism and called for accountability. Some, like artist Magali Lara, expressed concern that the actions resembled “shock groups” used historically to undermine legitimate protests.

Supporters of the protest linked it to broader issues of public space and economic disparity in Mexico City. The impact of gentrification, exacerbated by short-term rental platforms, continues to be a contentious subject. However, critiques of the protest suggest that vandalism might not effectively address these concerns.

This incident marks the second targeting of MUAC during demonstrations in under a year, following protests against an exhibition accused of derogatory content. While the anti-gentrification movement resonates with many, some, like Lara, remain critical of methods involving destruction, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and learning facilitated by institutions like MUAC.