These two classy ladies were decked out in PRD yellow at a mass rally on Sunday for Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the self-proclaimed "legitimate president" of Mexico, at Mexico City's central Zocalo. The mainline domestic and foreign press stopped covering these rallies long ago, as the general impression of the man they call "el peje" (even among members of his own party) is one of farcical delusion.
Yet it is difficult to dismiss Lopez Obrador's remarkable ability to sustain a popular movement, or his ability to crystallize the problems facing Mexico's dispossessed. Adherents that I met this weekend were as devoted to their man as they were this time last year. How does he do it? On Sunday AMLO called for protests to block the potential privatization of Mexico's oil interests. The rally spilled into the Catedral Metropolitana, which regrettably was shut closed by Cardinal Norberto Rivera. According to Reforma, protesters chanted something to the effect that Hell awaits him. Not a good look. Now, it's turned political, with PRD Mayor Marcelo Ebrard saying the cathedral belongs to the people, not the Church. Uh-oh.
Last week, the Luis Mandoki documentary about the 2006 presidential election, "Fraude," was released here. The subhead on announcements blanketing the city dubs it a film "starring millions of Mexicans."
* EXTRA: Interesting post at The Mex Files on the current economic situation in Mexico. Note to the U.S.: Mexico needs you less than it has before.