(22 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mexico City, Mexico – 21 August 2024
1. Federal judges and court employees protesting outside federal court
2. Protester holding sign reading (Spanish): "We are the voice of the constitution”
3. Protester chanting using megaphone
4. Protesters chanting and raising their fists
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Argelia Román, federal judge:
"We are on strike — I am a sitting judge — due to a reform that is intended to be carried out within the judiciary. They intend to somehow dismember the federal judiciary by having judges and magistrates elected by popular vote. Our current system is through the (merit-based) judicial career system."
6. Sign reading (Spanish): "Mexico, resist – Justice will rise!"
7. Signs hanging on tent
8. Various of protesters using megaphone
9. Close of drum
10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Fernando Rangel Ramírez, federal judge:
"No matter how good their intentions may be, the most popular person is not necessarily the best one to solve the problem (as a judge). This is what this movement is about — to raise awareness that a proper reform of the justice system can be achieved. And we are not trying to preserve any privilege. I insist, our privilege is to serve the people of Mexico."
11. Mexican flag
STORYLINE:
Judges and magistrates on Wednesday joined a strike organised by federal court employees in Mexico to oppose the controversial proposal put forward by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to overhaul the country’s judicial system.
Since Monday, thousands of employees have camped outside federal courts in protest over the reforms which would have judges be elected.
The rallies grew on Wednesday with judges themselves joining in, while Mexicans with court appointments were turned away.
López Obrador, a populist leader who is nearing the end of his six-year term, has long been at odds with Mexican courts.
He contends judges are part of a "mafia" against him, and says the proposal is meant to clean up corruption.
He has gone on winding rants against the judicial system, ignored court orders and publicly sparred with judges whose rulings he has disagreed with.
Among the changes sought by López Obrador is to have judges be elected and allow virtually anyone with a law degree with a few years’ experience as a lawyer to become a judge through popular vote.
Given major electoral wins by López Obrador’s party Morena in June elections, many academics have voiced concerns that selecting judges by popular vote would put politically biased judges on the bench and deal a blow to checks and balances.
The striking court employees also fear that the measure could put their careers in danger.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley and other financial institutions warned that the overhaul could pose serious market consequences and risks for potential investors in Mexico.
The National Association of Circuit Magistrates and District Judges said the strike will go on indefinitely, until the president’s proposal with “its many imperfections” is blocked.
The only cases that will be taken are those considered "urgent."
AP video shot by: Martín Silva Rey
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