MND Local Guadalajara: New water protest draws thousands, Zapopan officials scrutinized over abandoned pet euthanasia

In a recent water protest in Guadalajara, thousands of residents gathered to voice their concerns over the city's poor water quality and the lack of progress in addressing the issue. The march, which took place on Sunday, October 18, saw participants carrying signs expressing their frustration and demanding change. Many attendees wore gas masks and goggles, anticipating possible confrontations with law enforcement.

The protest followed a series of events that have drawn criticism towards local authorities in Zapopan. The city has come under fire for its heavy reliance on euthanasia of homeless cats and dogs, with nearly 14,000 animals being put down between 2022 and 2026 at the Zapopan Comprehensive Animal Health Center. This led to a legislative backlash from state legislator Tonantzin Cárdenas Méndez, who proposed a new initiative to Jalisco's State Congress to address the issue of pet abandonment.

The Guadalajara water crisis has also reached a boiling point, with the city facing water rationing due to systemic issues. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) monitored Sunday's march, condemning aggressive policing and calling for the protection of citizens' rights to free expression and peaceful demonstration. The protest included a small group of masked individuals, known as a "black bloc," who threw firecrackers and Molotov cocktails near Parque Rojo, causing brief disruptions to the march.