Mexico City's MUAC Museum Targeted in Anti-Gentrification Protests Sparking Institutional Debate

In July 2025, the MUAC, Mexico City's contemporary art museum, became a center for protests as demonstrators hurled rocks and spray-painted messages such as 'housing is a right not a business.' The unrest stemmed from a 47.5% increase in rent from 2020 to 2025, the expansion of Airbnb, and the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Two significant marches took place: one on July 4 in Roma and Condesa, and another on July 20 by residents of Santa Úrsula Xitla. The latter resulted in a clash at MUAC, where the museum collaborated with police to identify protesters, leading to backlash from over 150 artists and academics. President Claudia Sheinbaum labeled the protesters as 'burning books.' MUAC receives funding from Fundación AXA, associated with Israel's occupation. The article was authored by Gaby Cepeda and updated on August 29.