**Protests Continue Against Baja California’s Secretary of Culture**
Workers from the Institute of Cultural Services, previously known as the Institute of Baja California Culture, staged a protest and work stoppage on the morning of Monday, November 11, 2024. This action took place outside the Institute’s facilities in the state capital of Baja California, marking the second such protest within two years.
The workers, led by Altagracia López, raised concerns over what they describe as harassment and labor mistreatment by Alma Delia Ábrego Ceballos, who currently helms the Secretary of Culture in Baja California. Similar allegations were first voiced during a protest held on October 7, 2022. During the most recent manifestation, workers displayed banners reading “We want to work in peace,” “We demand respect for our work,” and “We’re not furniture, we’re people,” expressing their frustration towards the workplace environment.
Altagracia López, who has been with the Institute for over two decades, voiced her grievances over what she perceives as an unfair reassignment imposed upon her without prior consultation or consensus. “I belong to an area where I’ve excelled for 20 years, without any complaints against me. I was threatened with an administrative act for not submitting a document in the desired format, even though I complied,” López stated, pointing to persistent harassment from Ábrego Ceballos.
Stories of being admonished and intimidated, sometimes with a committee of administrative personnel present, have compelled over 40 colleagues to either resign or face direct dismissal since Ábrego Ceballos began her tenure in 2021. This turmoil echoes louder with the additional complaint regarding unpaid salaries to teachers involved in summer workshops at the State Art Centers.
**In Related News: Ongoing Challenges in Cultural and Educational Sectors Across Mexico**
In similar circumstances, an alarming number of educational institutions in other parts of Mexico are facing teacher shortages, prompting parents to take drastic measures such as occupying schools in protest. Reportedly, nearly half of the teaching positions remain unfilled, leading to disruptions in students’ education.
In another development, recent reforms are being implemented to allow the SSPC to investigate crimes, which has generated debates around the balance of power and responsibilities among government bodies.
These events highlight a growing unrest concerning labor conditions and administrative practices within both the cultural and educational sectors in Mexico. As the situation develops, there is an increasing call for systemic improvements and transparent communication between authorities and their constituents.