World Cup euphoria and feminist vindications. The public space of Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City, in 1986 and 2019

Abstract

The huge crowded occupation of the emblematic Paseo de la Reforma, in Mexico City, during the 1986 Soccer World Cup, with the country going through a severe economic crisis, was a real trigger for the diversification of the demonstrations in this public space. It consolidated this place as the national epicenter for the vindication of rights and social demands of the Mexicans. In the 21^st century, in the midst of another crisis, this time the generalized violence against women, the Paseo is once again redefining itself, encompassing its most emblematic and tangible elements, like the Angel of Independence. In this way, monuments have become the canvas for graffiti that struggles to transcend the ephemeral by holding the current claims. This article proposes a historical review of the most powerful moments of appropriation of this public space in 1986 and 2019, using the local newspaper, La Jornada, as its main source of data collection. The proposed methodology offers the reconstruction of a narrative told in real time, a true contribution to understanding how the boom of the occupation of the streets in the World Cup year engrained the appropriation of public spaces in subsequent years. There is no doubt that the World Cup euphoria gave society the confidence to reclaim the streets, a situation that has been used since then and that is in force in the current feminist vindications demonstrations.