1999 UNAM Strike - Strike Begins

Strike Begins

A group of students quickly organized a protest, on the grounds that thousands of students would have to see their studies interrupted unable to afford tuition. With the support of the community, on April 20, 1999 this group formed the Comité General de Huelga (CGH or "Strike General Committee") and declared a strike of students at the university. Only basic research groups were allowed to continue their activities although many groups of students continued gathering to take courses off-campus.

In June 1999, the 132-member government council of the university, which includes faculty and students, modified the proposal to make the tuition voluntary. Barnés declared that the conscience of each student would dictate who would pay tuition and who would not. Strikers grew belligerent and had violent altercations with students who were still taking courses. UNAM also issued seven warrants against strikers accused of stealing computers, vehicles and earthquake monitoring equipment.