By Diego Alberto Mendoza Díaz. SPR Opinion. Mexican Press Agency.
On Monday, June 9, 2025, we witnessed the international image of a man waving the beautiful Mexican flag over burning vehicles—a powerful representation of the Mexican homeland’s spirit since its founding, a spirit that stands against discrimination and slavery and has always been a symbol of freedom.
Before delving into the main subject at hand, I’d like to offer a brief historical summary of the State of California and its deep connection to the Mexican nation. As is well known, since the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo—following the U.S. invasion of Mexican territory—California was annexed as war spoils by the northern nation. At that time, the United States was governed by another expansionist and imperialist madman, President James Polk, a racist who supported the false claims of Texan invaders seeking independence because they refused to abide by Mexican laws that prohibited slavery.
The root cause of the war and the loss of Mexican territory was that Mexico represented and defended freedom, standing against slavery. In contrast, the United States supported slavery and racism. Even though the racist and pro-slavery nation won the war and Mexico lost more than half of its territory, the ideals remained.
Even though California was lost, the people who lived there—many of them Mexicans—did not leave. Over time, both the remaining Mexican population and many Anglo-American settlers learned to adapt to diversity as the territory was repopulated. This is what allowed California to become one of the richest and most powerful states in the United States.
In fact, California is an economic powerhouse in its own right—ranked as the fourth-largest economy in the world. Its diversity, multicultural growth, progressive policies, and tech investment have made it a global force. A large part of that power comes from its labor force, much of it composed of migrants, the majority of whom are Mexican nationals.
Yet the segregationist rhetoric continues, now embodied by an individual who, in addition to being racist and having a history of predatory behavior, tends toward authoritarianism—steering the country toward a real dictatorship. This is someone whose arguments are hollow, dragging his country down both economically and socially.
The United States has long used human rights as a justification for invasion and intervention in other countries. But what is it doing within its own borders? The current president is blatantly violating those very rights, disregarding international protocols and flouting the principles and guidelines—supported by practical orientations—for the protection of human rights for vulnerable migrants, which include:
These are agreements established by the United Nations—flagrantly violated by the current U.S. administration with shocking impunity, marked by xenophobic, racist, intolerant, and deadly actions.
The people of California—and their system of government, which, though not perfect, has recognized the need to counterbalance the totalitarian and dictatorial tendencies of President Trump—have taken to the streets. Among the many flags waved was the Mexican flag, standing as a symbol of freedom and tolerance. California today lives under the threat of fascism, and its people are not backing down.
The people of California are courageous. They stood up and raised their voices against tyranny and terror, brought upon them by a man who poses a threat not only to peace in his own country but to the world at large. We must understand that California is not just another U.S. state. As I mentioned earlier, it is a global power in its own right. And that power stems from its tolerance and its people—most of whom are of Mexican descent, going back to 1848.
The impact of these protests reflects the identity of a California that rejects racism and is willing to fight for its freedom. The violence with which Dictator Trump attacks both the government and people of California is brutal—his attempt to impose his will as the vilest tyrants in history have done.
As stated earlier, the spirit of Californians is rooted in freedom. The majority, of Mexican descent, were historically opposed to slavery and adapted to a new reality, enriching the land with hardworking people from all over the world—people who have made California a global power.
All of this is due to the values of progress, freedom, and social identity. It is the workers who sustain the greatness of this state. It is its people who rose up to defend their ideals—even in the face of military presence, risking their lives.
Because the waving of the Mexican flag was not an act of provocation—it was a symbol of the freedom of the people. That is what the Mexican nation represents. Mexico truly represents the freedom of the people, anti-racism, and, under its current government, the flag of progress in the hemisphere.
“No to violence” is the message conveyed by our President, Claudia Sheinbaum, and California Governor Gavin Newsom—because what Dictator Trump seeks is to justify his violence and destroy human beings who are simply seeking better lives and who contribute meaningfully to the growth of the country.
Related: Anatomy of a Lie: The New Domestic Slaves and the Protests in Los Angeles
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
