Artistic-Political Demonstration Against Tulum International Airport
Tulum (Mexico), 2023

“It’s not development, it’s plunder.”

On the 17th of December 2023, activists from the Red de Resistencia del Sur Sureste held an artistic-political demonstration in Tulum to protest the recent inauguration of the Tulum International Airport. Using music, singing and dance as their main tactics, the demonstration raised awareness about the illegal construction of the airport, its role in militarisation and the human rights violations associated with its development.

Timing

  • The protest was held shortly after the official inauguration of the Tulum International Airport and a section of the Maya Train project. The objective was to inform the local community about the dangers and threats posed by the airport, increase awareness of the growing militarisation in the region and invite the public to join the resistance movements against these megaprojects.

Location

  • The demonstration took place in the centre of the Maya community in Tulum, starting at the municipal palace and concluding at a ceremonial site known as the Cancha Maya, a place with high foot traffic. Tulum was chosen because it symbolises the current drive for touristification and airport expansion, both for commercial and military purposes.

Type of Action

  • The demonstration was a small-scale event, with approximately 100 people at its peak before the march. Despite its modest size, the action was significant for a region with limited social mobilisation.
  • The action had a low budget, with expenses covering transport for some participants, printing materials and banners. Preparation took around a month.
  • The main tactic was the use of cultural activities (music, singing and dance) to engage the public and spread the message.

Insights

  • The artistic elements of the action, including live performances, were effective in engaging the local population. The demands were framed around the illegal construction of the airport, its militarisation, and the violation of human rights during its development. The message resonated by connecting these concerns to the daily lives and security of the Tulum community.
  • Flyers and posters invited people to join the fight to defend the territory of Tulum and to resist the ongoing megaprojects.

Obstacles

  • Distributing flyers and leaflets led to confrontations with some individuals who reacted aggressively. The timing of the event also posed challenges, as many activists were already on holiday and unable to attend.
  • Additionally, there was a prohibition on placing banners in front of the ceremonial site where the rally took place, though this issue was resolved by finding alternative ways to display the messages.

Strengths

  • The commitment of the activists was crucial to the success of the event. Given the region’s limited tradition of social mobilisation, even a small demonstration carried significant weight for the local resistance movement.

Lessons learned

  • For future actions, organisers should place more emphasis on communication and media outreach. Having a designated person or team for photography, videography and press is essential for amplifying the action’s impact.
  • Additionally, organising and preparing materials (such as banners, interviews and statements) in advance would improve the overall execution of the action.