HistoryData
war1935

Conflict in Zócalo, Mexico City

November 20, 1935

A street battle at Mexico City's Zócalo during Revolution Day 1935 led to the banning of the fascist-leaning Revolutionary Mexicanist Action.

Quick Facts

Year
1935
Category
war

Key Facts

Date
November 20, 1935 (Revolution Day)
Duration of brawl
Approximately one hour
Injuries
46 to 50
Fatalities
3
Ban enacted after
4 months following a second incident in Monterrey

By the Numbers

201,935
Date
46
Injuries
3
Fatalities
4
Ban enacted after

Location

Map of Mexico City, MexicoMap of Mexico City, MexicoMexico City, Mexico

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

During the 1935 Revolution Day celebrations at the Zócalo, members of the Revolutionary Mexicanist Action were marching in the square when individuals affiliated with the Mexican Communist Party and associated organizations began antagonizing them. The existing ideological hostility between the far-right Acción Revolucionaria Mexicanista and communist groups set the stage for open violence.

Event

A brawl erupted between Revolutionary Mexicanist Action marchers and Communist Party-affiliated groups at Mexico City's Zócalo. The fighting lasted roughly one hour, leaving 46 to 50 people injured and three dead: Carlos Salinas Vela of the Communist Youth Federation of Mexico, worker Lucio Huerta, and unaffiliated worker José Trinidad García. Among the wounded was Nicolás Rodríguez Carrasco, leader of the Revolutionary Mexicanist Action.

Consequence

The violence generated intense political pressure on President Cárdenas to dissolve the Revolutionary Mexicanist Action. After a subsequent violent clash between the organization and police in Monterrey, Cárdenas reached an agreement with the Mexican Senate and the group was formally banned approximately four months after the Zócalo battle.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Revolutionary Mexicanist Action (Acción Revolucionaria Mexicanista)
Key Commanders

Nicolás Rodríguez Carrasco.

Side B

1 belligerent

Mexican Communist Party-affiliated organizations (incl. Communist Youth Federation)
Total Casualties (all sides)
3
Outcome
Three killed, up to 50 injured; political pressure led to the banning of the Revolutionary Mexicanist Action four months later.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19351935193219331934193619371938World Chess Championship 1935 — chess match between Alexander Alekhine and Max Euwe1935 South American Championship — Football Tournament EditionEuroBasket 1935 — 1935 edition of Eurobasket6th Chess Olympiad — FIDE chess tournament for national teams7th Academy Awards — award ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for achievement in filmmaking in 1934Race riot in New York City, United States1935 Roseville, California railroad crashStresa Front — 1935 agreement1935-revolution-day-zocalo-battle-1935