Mexico's Generation Z called for a march this Saturday, arguing that the government needs to take a stronger stance against drug cartels, generators of violence and social disorder operating throughout the country. This week, Mexicans living in Los Angeles announced a sit-in in front of the Mexican Consulate General in this city to show solidarity with the protesters in Mexico City and amplify their slogans and demands. It remains to be seen why this call to action failed to gain traction despite receiving unusual media coverage in Los Angeles. Those of us who attended what had been predicted as a momentous political and social demonstration by Mexican migrant youth left with a very bitter taste in our mouths. As in Madrid and several other Mexican cities, the much-anticipated day of protest failed to materialize due to a lack of participants. A resounding failure, but with great significance.

On the other hand, we were pleased to learn that in Mexico no fewer than one hundred thousand people attended the Generation Z march, which departed from the Angel of Independence and proceeded along Reforma, Juarez, and Madero avenues until reaching the Zocalo. According to firsthand information shared with this writer, an attendee confirmed that the crowd marched peacefully for over an hour.

This human tide raised as its main demands the urgent purging of the ranks of the Morena Party, demanded the vindication of the figure of the assassinated mayor of Uruapan, Michoacan, Carlos Manzo, and denounced the government headed by President Sheinbaum as a narco-government.

It is public knowledge that Morena has been infiltrated with all kinds of thugs from the nation's various political formations. Specifically, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Action Party (PAN), and the now-defunct Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). The founders of Morena and the members who consistently supported its founder and leader, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador,We accept and tolerate, as a circumstantial necessity, all kinds of criminals in Mexican politics within our ranks. However,the time has come for the Party leadership to recognize the need to close ranks and extirpate these rotten apples that could infect the entire party and trigger a downfall, as happened with the PRD, and as is happening to the PRI and PAN, which are experiencing ever-decreasing popular support. Precisely, the organizers of the march, from the extreme right and the national right wing—supported by international sectors of fascist conservatism—have used the deceased mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, as a symbol to attack the Sheinbaum government and the 4T. They are clinging to a dead man to avoid reaching the intensive care unit, where they will be given the green light for their demise, as happened with the PRD. They are appealing to Manzo to avoid dying.

Returning to Morena, the time has come to purge the execrable elements that have entrenched themselves within their ranks. The national executive committee cannot ignore the demands of the membership, which were reiterated this morning by the citizens who marched in the nation's capital.

It is important to highlight that the marchers, both young and not so young, belong to the right and far right, which explains their calls for Trump to order an invasion of Mexico to eradicate the drug cartels. Images of the Virgin of Guadalupe were prominent, along with chants of "Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe," and their desire to return to power.

It is worth remembering that behind this march are Mexican magnates, led by Ricardo Salinas Pliego, head of TV Azteca, who is using this as political pressure to avoid paying 48 billion pesos in taxes, as ordered by the Supreme Court. And he has even more debts.

However, what began peacefully and calmly in the Zocalo was disrupted by right-wing extremists. With their faces covered, they threw firecrackers at the fences protecting the National Palace, and the police contained them with tear gas. The clash lasted more than an hour. The intention of these provocateurs was to enter the National Palace and start fires, an intention shown throughout the week in millions of messages paid for by right-wingers, where the presidential residence was seen in flames. The forces of law enforcement acted with restraint considering that the provocateurs were armed and their objective was to damage the National Palace. If this terrorist violence had occurred during the PRI and PAN eras, we would undoubtedly be counting the dead and disappeared at the hands of federal and Mexico City authorities. Without a doubt, this provocation was planned and coordinated. Organized and financed by the political far right. However, the peaceful attitude of thousands of protesters with valid points must be acknowledged. These points should be addressed in the best possible way by President Sheinbaum and the members of the 4T (Fourth Transformation), paving the way for self-criticism and restoring order within the party,regardless of who is involved. The time has come for profound self-criticism within the Mexican government and at all levels of Morena, to purge itself in order to continue strengthening the transformation proposal, which is being targeted for elimination both within and outside the country. It is a model that works because of its vision and social commitment. Clear evidence of this is that more than 13 million Mexicans have been lifted out of poverty in the seven years of the 4T, among a long list of achievements.

Mexico is great, nourished by ancient cultures that are the envy of the world. It has, and has, highly qualified and committed individuals to find the urgent solutions to the countless problems and challenges facing the nation.

We, the Mexicans residing abroad, have always been committed to the destiny of the nation, and no one, no power, will be able to separate us from that thought and action.

We also want to be a bulwark that prevents economic power from merging with political power to plunder Mexico once again. Today's march unmasked them and made it clear that, whatever the cost—even through violence and its consequences—they seek to return to power.

We will not allow it.

Juan Jose Gutierrez is the executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition.