Protests and marches are nothing new to Mexico. In fact, Mexicans have had massive, traffic stopping protests about the price of gas, about the last election and about education reform and new policies around teacher evaluations.
In Centro Histórico, Querétaro, there are three main plazas. One of those plazas, Plaza de Armas, is the location to find demonstrations, loudly amplified speeches and all shapes and sizes of protests. To the right is a group protesting the treatment of the indigenous people.
In the heart of Centro HIstórico is a beautiful park, the size of a city block. Around the entrance to that park was a tianguis or street market, with hundreds of small vendors of everything from jeans to t-shirts to jewelry to trinkets. However, we discovered one morning that the vendors had been swept away, thanks to some policy action by the local government. Banners covered the gates in protest. People carried placards and demonstrated their anger.
Knowing that political tension always exists in Mexico, and having seen the Mexican newspapers and their commentaries, we asked several adults from the US, studying now at the Olé Language and Culture Center, what the reaction has been from our Mexican friends toward American politics and Americans, as they wander and shop and sight see in their beautiful city. Here's what they said:
This is our second time back to Querétaro. We arrived back in October of last year. The effects here in Mexico have been mostly on the peso. Right now it is 20-1. During the month of January there was some tension but it has mostly died down. People will ask us questions but we just tell them please pray for our country and we will pray for yours. There have no violent acts and people here have treated us with respect. For the most part they are just curious. We feel very secure and we travel Querétaro, Michoacán, and Guanajuato.
Thank you for asking.
Another:
I have been in Queretaro several times this year, as well as other cities in Mexico. I am currently studying at Ole for the next several months.
Obviously, Trump had negatively impacted the relationship with the Mexican government, but I have not felt nor sensed any change in the way average Americans or Mexicans interact. There have been demonstrations against the US government, that as a matter of fact, have included American citizens here in Mexico joining in to register their disapproval of Trumps' anti-mexican policies and rhetoric. I have not read in the local newspapers nor heard of an incidents targeting American citizens.
We are looking forward to another learning experience this summer. The politics of both countries should be foundation for really interesting and insightful conversations. And of all times to continue to demonstrate our good will and friendship - now would be the time.
This is our second time back to Querétaro. We arrived back in October of last year. The effects here in Mexico have been mostly on the peso. Right now it is 20-1. During the month of January there was some tension but it has mostly died down. People will ask us questions but we just tell them please pray for our country and we will pray for yours. There have no violent acts and people here have treated us with respect. For the most part they are just curious. We feel very secure and we travel Querétaro, Michoacán, and Guanajuato.
Thank you for asking.
Another:
I have been in Queretaro several times this year, as well as other cities in Mexico. I am currently studying at Ole for the next several months.
Obviously, Trump had negatively impacted the relationship with the Mexican government, but I have not felt nor sensed any change in the way average Americans or Mexicans interact. There have been demonstrations against the US government, that as a matter of fact, have included American citizens here in Mexico joining in to register their disapproval of Trumps' anti-mexican policies and rhetoric. I have not read in the local newspapers nor heard of an incidents targeting American citizens.
We are looking forward to another learning experience this summer. The politics of both countries should be foundation for really interesting and insightful conversations. And of all times to continue to demonstrate our good will and friendship - now would be the time.
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