This study analyzes the protest movement in defense of public resources and the lay state carried out in the State of Jalisco in light of the social capital theory. This protest occurred in the first months of 2008, when a donation of 30 million pesos (out of the 90 pledged) from public resources was made by the State government of Jalisco for constructing a Sanctuary in honor of the Cristero Martyrs on Treasure Hill in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. Conclusions are that the success of the citizen mobilizations, which achieved the return of the donation on June 23rd, 2008, helped to create greater collective confidence about social protests and mobilizations, empowering society and consequently, cooperating in the creation of greater social capital and strengthening the democratization process.