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Another Popular Rebellion in Argentina
Por Marie Trigona -
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002 at 6:58 PM
Over 100,000 protestors marched throughout Buenos Aires’ streets to mark a year since the fall of former President De la Rua and to continue the demand, “Que Se Vayan Todos” (All the Politicians Out!). Marchers met in the Plaza de Mayo to celebrate a year of grass roots organizing and to reject the capitalist system and government that have created a deepening crisis in Argentina.
Another Popular Rebellion in Argentina
Marie Trigona
Over 100,000 protestors marched throughout Buenos Aires’ streets to mark a year since the fall of former President De la Rua and to continue the demand, “Que Se Vayan Todos” (All the Politicians Out!). Marchers met in the Plaza de Mayo to celebrate a year of grass roots organizing and to reject the capitalist system and government that have created a deepening crisis in Argentina.
Piqueteros, popular assemblies, workers from reoccupied factories, Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, human rights groups, feminists, leftist parties, international observers, and independent citizens came to denounce the government’s inability to find a solution to Argentina’s growing social problems—poverty, hunger, unemployment, and police repression.
“This is the biggest march I’ve participated in the past years,” states Mirta Israel, activist, professor, and newspaper director. While crossing Buenos Aires’ widest avenue, 9 de Julio, columns of marchers filled 4 streets to arrive to Plaza de Mayo. The Plaza overflowed with participants as marchers continued to arrive to the Plaza in columns.
Protestors’ banners echoed the demands of social movements that have blossomed since December 19 and 20, 2001. “Throw out the politicians,” and “a congress of unemployed, assemblies, and workers” were some of the central demands of the march.
“I came to the Plaza today with a lot of rage because we are remembering the 35 deaths in this past year,” remarks María, 55 year-old woman unemployed for 5 years. Last year’s events ended in massive repression after former President Fernando De la Rua called a state of siege. 33 people were killed and over 200 were injured. Police beat, detained, tear gassed, and shot protestors with lead and rubber bullets. Both police and storekeepers shot many people as they entered and looted supermarkets. Repression has continued throughout Argentina. June 26, 2002 marked a violent day in Argentina, ending in the deaths of two protesters and over 100 wounded during a march at Pueyrredón Bridge.
As police repression has risen, resistance, and a demand for justice have continued. Piqueteros and participants clearly demonstrated that actions for the 19th and 20th would be non-violent and that the only security risk is government repression and infiltrators provoking violence. This comes after former president Carlos Menem and his counterparts were implicated in November for paying people to incite riots and looting. Piquetero leaders denounced Menem and his counterparts for offering people twenty pesos to loot supermarkets during the 19th and 20th. The piqueteros assured that this is a tactic to generate a climate of fear and violence and to guarantee chaos during the days’ events.
In the past weeks mass media created a climate of tension and fear in preparation for the 19th and 20th. “The media say there is a possibility of violence, it sent a subliminal message of fear,” said Alicia Gondret, a participant in the Plaza. She continued, “We came to the plaza afraid, we wore tennis shoes in case we had to run. Now that we are here with the people in the Plaza we are not afraid. It is a moral obligation to come out to the streets.” Clearly, the media wanted to deter people from leaving their homes and to demonstrate in the street.
Actions during the 19 and 20 were non-violent and festive but with the clear demand of an end to a capitalist system responsible for over 1 in 5 Argentines living below the poverty line and for almost 40% unemployment. This march was called to not only commemorate a year since the popular rebellion but to continue the demands of the movements that have blossomed in this past year, “Que Se Vayan Todos.”