**Call for Work Stoppage in the Judicial Branch of Baja California**
With a demonstration opposing the judicial reform, workers of the Federal Judicial Branch urged their counterparts in the Judicial Branch of Baja California to join their cause. They argue that Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda has promised that Tijuana would be one of the first cities to implement the reform.
“The reform initiative doesn’t just mean the removal of federal judges but also local judges. Our goal today is to invite our colleagues from the state courts to join this fight,” explained Matilde Del Carmen González, a Magistrate of the Tenth Circuit in Tijuana, Baja California.
“Today, we came to invite our colleagues from the Judicial Branch of the State of Baja California to join this movement since it also affects them. Even the State of Baja California, as expressed by the governor herself, will be the first local state to implement the judicial reform if approved,” said Daniel Sánchez Reyes, Secretary of the Sixteenth District Court in Tijuana.
The work stoppage in the federal judicial branch has already lasted 17 days. Despite the reform being approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the suspension of work will continue until the end. Magistrate González stated that there is a possibility judges and magistrates could be dismissed. “We are aware that we might be fired. We continue to demonstrate and fight for judicial independence and democracy in Mexico,” she noted.
“We knew this would happen. We were aware that the Morena party had a majority and that the reform would pass because that is the directive of the Morena deputies. We are not disheartened; we knew this was coming. Now we wait to see how the Senate votes and subsequently the state legislatures, but we will continue,” said Sánchez Reyes.
**Response to Provocations from the Municipality; They Invite a Work Stoppage**
Uncertain whether the protest of “youths for judicial reform,” which prominently involved elderly participants, was orchestrated by Mayor Montserrat Caballero or elected Mayor Ismael Burgeño, Federal Judicial Workers assert they will respond and may prompt the municipality to also go on strike.
“We found yesterday’s movement in support of Judicial Reform quite amusing, mainly because: one, it was a call to youths, but 80% were elderly; two, the so-called youths present work for the Tijuana Municipality. If the Tijuana Municipality wants to enter the fray, we are ready and prepared to take action against the Municipality if it continues to align against us,” explained Daniel Sánchez Reyes.
“We will do the following as a first step: We call on the Bureaucrats Union of the Tijuana Municipality to join our movement. Let me make it clear that one reason to go on strike is by invitation from another union. So, we extend the invitation to the Tijuana Municipality Bureaucrats Union to join us, with the assurance that when they seek to improve their working conditions, we will be there supporting them. The Tijuana Municipality wanted to enter the ring, so now we have them, and we are going after them,” stated Sánchez Reyes.
**Additional Coverage on the Judicial Reform**
1. **Sheinbaum Praises Deputies for Judicial Reform Approval; JUFED Urges SCJN to Invalidate It**
Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum congratulated deputies on passing the judicial reform. However, the Federal Judiciary Union (JUFED) has called on the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) to invalidate the reform, arguing it endangers judicial independence.
2. **Reform Reaches the Senate; 4T Has Qualified Majority, Claims Noroña**
The judicial reform initiative has been sent to the Senate, where Deputy Gerardo Fernández Noroña claims the 4T coalition has a qualified majority to ensure its passage. This development indicates a significant push toward restructuring the judiciary, with substantial political backing.
3. **Subcommander of Tecate Municipal Police Assassinated**
On a related note, the wave of reforms and unrest comes amid rising violence, highlighted by the recent assassination of the Tecate Municipal Police Subcommander. Security issues remain intertwined with the ongoing political and judicial changes in Baja California.