At least six people are injured, amid dozens wounded, with no fatalities reported yet, after a car drove into pro-life demonstrators during a peaceful march in Guadalajara, Mexico. The incident occurred during the fourth annual Marcha por la Mujer y la Vida, held every October to oppose abortion and raise awareness of its risks. Many pro-life advocates now point to this attack as evidence of the increased violence they claim abortion brings to society.
The attack took place on the night of Saturday, October 26, when a car entered the plaza near the Guadalajara Cathedral, where the march was concluding. Video footage and eyewitness accounts show the car circling the plaza and running over several demonstrators. While some authorities suggested the vehicle might have been stolen, with the driver acting erratically due to a police chase, video evidence raises doubts about this theory; instead of fleeing, the driver appeared to intentionally enter the plaza, where they could have been intercepted.
Witness Statements and International Reaction
Gateway Hispano spoke with several attendees, including family expert Francisco Elizalde, who described the event not as a protest but as a celebration, reflecting the pro-life movement’s values of family, joy, and respect for life. However, this celebration was disrupted by violence. According to official statements, hundreds of thousands of people attended pro-life events across Mexico.
International figures also condemned the attack, including Canada-based Argentine speaker Pablo Muñoz Iturrieta, who posted, “They will not silence us” on social media, highlighting the risks of defending life and the censorship he believes it brings. Meanwhile, authorities are leaning toward the possibility that the driver, allegedly under the influence of drugs, acted erratically with a borrowed vehicle, though demonstrators are pushing to have the incident recognized as a terrorist attack.
María Herrera Mellado es una abogada de EE.UU. y licenciada en España. Doctora en Ciencias Jurídicas y Analista política. La Dra. Herrera es conocida por su amplia experiencia en análisis y consultas en el diseño de políticas públicas, propuestas de ley y gestión en relaciones internacionales.
Su reconocimiento proviene de sus contribuciones al análisis y representación legal de diversas organizaciones, empresas e individuos que han visto abusados sus derechos humanos, su privacidad o en la inclusión de políticas efectivas fundamentalmente en el ámbito de la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas, así como la lucha contra la corrupción.
Su formación académica y experiencias profesionales la convierten en una voz respetada en el debate público y en el análisis de temas de actualidad sobre todo en los desafíos políticos y legales contemporáneos.
María Herrera Mellado is a U.S.-based attorney also licensed in Spain. She holds a PhD in Legal Sciences and is known as a media legal and policy analyst.
Dr. Herrera is recognized for her extensive experience in analyzing and consulting on public policy design, legislative proposals, and international relations management.
Her recognition stems from her contributions to the analysis and legal representation of various organizations, companies, and individuals whose human rights or privacy have been violated, or who have benefited from the inclusion of effective policies, primarily in the areas of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
Her academic background and professional experience make her a respected voice in public debate and in the analysis of current issues, particularly in contemporary political and legal challenges.
