Photo: Flickr / Alan Levine. [1] CC 2.0
An activist and former public servant in Mexico is leading an unorthodox campaign to rub politicians’ faces in the public's dissatisfaction. Arne aus den Ruthen Haag is promoting a movement called #JitomatazoMx [2], rallying people on social media to collect tomatoes — or jitomates as they're known in Mexico City — as ammunition to throw at corrupt government officials.
The tomato drive even has its own Twitter account [3], the bio for which states:
Cuando hay abusos de la clase política y no hay mecanismos legales de defensa, el jitomatazo es la vía para expresar nuestro repudio.
When there is corruption in the political class and no legal defense mechanisms in play, the jitomatazo is a way for us to express our disapproval.
And make no mistake: #JitomatazoMx is very literally about collecting tomatoes to throw at state officials.
Cuenta regresiva. Esta semana empezaremos a operar como grupo de protesta ciudadano.#PolíticosSinPrivilegios [4] pic.twitter.com/YfjdfHxb7p [5]
— #Jitomatazo (@JitomatazoMX) January 9, 2017 [6]
Countdown. This week we will begin to operate as a citizen protest group. #PoliticsWithoutPrivileges [4]
The first public servant to get the Jitomatazo treatment was legislator Cesar Camacho of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which in the past enjoyed a 70-year reign over Mexican government, and recently returned to power under President Enrique Peña [7].
Camacho's critics say he accepted a highly questionable “Christmas bonus [8]” last December, as the country continues to face an economic slowdown and hikes in energy prices [9].
Based on an online poll, #JitomatazoMx's next target will be 83-year-old actress Carmen Salinas — another PRI lawmaker who won her seat despite a lack of education and political experience [10].
¿A quién propones visitar para el siguiente #Jitomatazo [2]?
— #Jitomatazo (@JitomatazoMX) January 19, 2017 [11]
Who do you propose we visit for the next #Jitomatazo?
In response to the rising popularity of Jitomatazo, political scientist Luis Rodolfo started a Twitter poll to weigh his followers’ attitudes about this form of protest:
¿Estas a favor o en contra del #jitomatazo [12]? ???
— Luis Rodolfo (@luisrodolfo) January 20, 2017 [13]
Are you in favor or against #jitomatazo? ???
Camacho, meanwhile, has pressed criminal charges [14] against Arne aus den Ruthen Haag, accusing him of organizing “legal misconduct.”
Others on Twitter say they agree with Camacho, objecting to tomato throwing as potentially violent:
@DarioJimenezL [15] Sobre el tema del “jitomatazo” estoy en contra de cualquier tipo de acto violento, debe privar la reconciliación social.
— Rudy Kawas (@rudykawas) January 25, 2017 [16]
@DarioJimenezL [15] On the subject of “jitomatazo,” I am against any kind of violent act that rejects a chance for social reconciliation.
Estoy en contra del jitomatazo, es violencia, no la hagamos menos, luego puede salir un voluntarioso con un arma, no demos pie.
— CARLOS ANTONIO MZ (@CarlosAntonioMZ) January 30, 2017 [17]
I am against the “jitomatazo” as it is a violent act that does not diminish the problem and can encourage weapon use, so we should not encourage it.
Last year [18], Arne aus den Ruthen Haag called on members of the public to use the live-streaming app Periscope [19] to livestream evidence of any illegal, abusive, or violent behavior by fellow citizens. A few months after, he left public office and devoted himself fully to activism.