‘Resign now!’ thousands of Mexicans tell president Peña Nieto at Independence Day protest

TUK: Flags whip in the evening wind as thousands descend on the Mexico City’s central square, where President Enrique Peña Nieto is preparing the ceremonial El Grito de Dolores, Mexico’s cry of independence.

But these are not friendly faces or flags coming for him. Their jeers fill the street: “Fuera Peña” (Get out Peña). “Renuncia Ya” (Resign Now).

One contingent carries a 15-metre long flag where Mexico’s bright red and green stripes have been painted black. It’s their way of saying the president is killing the country.

The plan is to invade the Zocalo, the city’s central square, and embarrass the president on the nation’s proudest day.

“There was a time when Mexicans could think it was ok to just go to the Zocalo, drink beer, and celebrate independence,” says Alejandro Corona, a retired petroleum engineer. “But now is the time to come out to the streets and fight for what little we have left.”

The rage has been bubbling in Mexico after years of a bloody drug war and enduring poverty. But these protesters hit a breaking point in August, when President Peña invited Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to Mexico.   MORE