Tijuana, August 18. A group of 10 women have invaded Nicolás Bravo Street in the Mariano Matamoros neighborhood, arguing that they cannot afford to pay rent . They have built wooden houses there and are asking the government to relocate them if they are evicted.
Mayra Blanco Márquez, one of the occupants, said that rents have increased disproportionately and that they decided to settle on the property out of extreme necessity . She stated that the land was abandoned, filled with trash, junk cars, and animal remains, and that they were responsible for cleaning it up themselves.
She added that the space never served as a park, as some neighbors pointed out, and that each lot has now been fenced off to form a home. She emphasized that all they are asking is not to be evicted without first receiving alternative housing.
Another of the women explained that they have been living at the site for two months and that disputes over the land's ownership have generated uncertainty. She explained that they were first told it belonged to a chapel, then to the municipality, and finally that it was a planned road.
