Mexico 2018 - the people speak out

Humongous demonstration today.  It occurred to me the other day that I hadn't seen any since getting here this year.  Unusual.  Then a couple of days ago there was a small one.  The one today was massive. 

Must have been tens of thousands of people from all over the country and a commensurate number of buses. 

The main contingent seemed to be the Federation of Workers that represented farm workers I believe. 

Fittingly enough they wound up at the Plaza de la Revolucion

There were other groups as well representing campesinos.  Many streets were closed off to cars which was nice for cycling and where traffic was allowed, it was pretty much at a standstill which is less threatening than the usual traffic. 

And usual, where ever people gather a crew of vendors show up selling the usual crap:  cell phone cases, watches, backpacks, etc

An impromptu kitchen set up on the sidewalk

As I've commented before, the government seems very tolerant of these planned, non-violent demonstrations.  The protest routes are blocked off as are streets for parking the buses and the police are out in what must be thousands.  My impression as an ignorant foreigner is that the approach is, go ahead and protest, fill your boots.  Nothing is going to change as a result though.  Maybe they learned something from the heavy handed handling of the protests at the 1968 Olympics.