Mexican artists, activists oppose president's proposed funding shakeup

FILE PHOTO: Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gestures as he speaks during the delivery of an investigation report with relatives of the 43 missing students of the Ayotzinapa Teacher Training College, marking the 6th anniversary of their disappearance, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico September 26, 2020. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido/File Photo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican artists and human rights activists are protesting against a funding plan proposed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's ruling party, accusing the government of infringing on the independence of arts and science.

Opposition to the financial shake-up gained steam on Wednesday, a day after a committee of lawmakers approved a reform that would allow the interior ministry to control the funding of more than 100 public trusts, with a combined budget this year of 68,000 million pesos ($3 billion).