Mendiola Avenue connects Malacanang Palace, the seat of power of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, to the rest of Metro Manila. In times of emergency, it is generally regarded by the military as the last line of defense before the Presidential Palace itself.

Due to this, it is also a favorite venue for protests against the government, peaceful or otherwise. Notable events at Mendiola include:

• The 1988 Mendiola Massacre, where 18 people were killed when a farmers' protest rally was violently dispersed by police during the Aquino administration.
• The People Power 2 rally in January, 2001, where then-President Joseph Estrada was forced to evacuate Malacanang under a storm of protest as well as pressure from impending economic disaster threatened by a strike/walkout by the business sector.
• The violent EDSA 3 protest on May 1, 2001 where 6 people were killed and over 100 wounded in clashes between pro-Estrada forces and a combined police/military force.