2023-12-21 05:09:36
Minister Bullrich highlighted in a press conference held following the march that “there was free movement throughout the country.” And she highlighted the actions of the security forces.
Courtesy RT in Spanish | There were some confrontations that did not escalate
In Argentina, different social and political organizations were mobilized to commemorate the victims of the repression of December 19 and 20, 2001, during the great economic crisis that the country experienced; but, in addition, it was the first major protest march once morest the adjustment policies of the new Government of Javier Milei.
The day tested for the first time a repressive protocol to “free the streets” of protesters, which various national and international organizations describe as violating human rights and which has been dubbed ‘anti-picketing’.
As soon as the march began in the city of Buenos Aires, protesters clashed with the Police and there were moments of extreme tension when they tried to advance towards the Plaza de Mayo along Avenida Presidente Julio Argentino Roca, better known as Diagonal Sur.
At least two people were arrested for attacking police officers, authorities reported. Despite the incidents, the groups arrived at the square and gathered there, without any major problems.
The Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, implemented a strong operation in which the four federal forces participate: Federal Police, National Gendarmerie, Naval Prefecture and the Airport Security Police (PSA).
In addition, from the Police headquarters, the authorities of the City of Buenos Aires and national authorities, including President Javier Milei, monitored with cameras the key points where the concentrations will take place, with control of vehicles, buses and trains.
“The Government’s decision is to end the street closures. Let them demonstrate as many times as they want: in squares, cordons, but the streets are not blocked,” Bulllrich said Tuesday night. And he warned that this is the beginning of a path “with no turning back.”
Finally, the protocol partially achieved its objective. At times, some roads were totally or partially blocked, between protesters and police cordons.
“Preventive” operations
From the early hours of this Wednesday, the Government began to deploy a strong security operation in the main accesses to the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires; and the Plaza de Mayo area dawned with a fence in front of the Casa Rosada.
Videos circulated on social media showing the police searching and filming the passengers of a public transport vehicle.
The train stations woke up filled with official messages in which the authorities insist that people who go out to protest will not receive any more social plans, a message that social organizations have described as extortionate.
In Buenos Aires, the ‘piqueteros’ groups were going to concentrate in the Congress area to march towards the Plaza de Mayo, located in front of the Casa Rosada, headquarters of the Argentine Executive.
However, they decided to modify the starting point to avoid the strong police presence, and they left from Diagonal Sur.
“Site status”
“We have had an operation worthy of a war, once morest what is a peaceful mobilization,” said Eduardo Belliboni, leader of the Polo Obrero and one of the organizers of the protest, shortly before the start of the rally.
The leftist militant described the deployment of forces as a “failure, expensive and ostentatious.” And he added: “We are not going to allow Minister Bullrich to create a state of siege.”
In addition to this great mobilization in Buenos Aires, Argentines also took to the streets in Salta, capital of the province of the same name, where they gathered in Plaza 9 de Julio.
Demonstrations are also planned in provinces such as Córdoba, Santa Fe, Corrientes, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta, Chaco, San Juan and Mendoza.
Attacks on the press
In Buenos Aires, several journalists were pushed by uniformed officers who were trying to prevent the blocking of the streets. RT reporter Diana Deglauy was one of the press workers who were attacked.
This mobilization takes place just 10 days since Milei assumed power and challenges the ‘anti-picketing’ protocol launched last week by the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, which seeks to control demonstrations on public roads.
In addition to this protocol, which is being tested this day, last Monday, the head of the Ministry of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, announced that those who participate in or promote street closures will no longer receive the State’s social plans.
This man was beating me along with other colleagues. Aggression once morest those who work. pic.twitter.com/EFJlVuSKJo
— Diana Deglauy (@dianadeglauy) December 20, 2023
After the march, which took place under a climate of extreme tension, the groups that make up the Piquetera Unit read a document in the Plaza de Mayo, in front of the Casa Rosada (headquarters of the Executive) in rejection of the economic policies of Milei and the repressive operation led by the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich.
“Milei lied saying that the adjustment was going to be made with ‘the caste’, but the people are paying for the adjustment with more hunger and misery. Along with these measures, Milei launches with Patricia Bullrich an illegal protocol to prohibit popular demonstrations and social protest,” says the text read by a leader of the organizations.
And he added: “We say no to the protocol, no to repression, no to the criminalization of protest.” There was also criticism of the Government of Alberto Fernández and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The demonstration also coincided with a new anniversary of the repression that occurred on December 19 and 20, 2001, within the framework of a serious economic crisis that meant the fall of Fernando De La Rúa’s government.
Minister Bullrich highlighted in a press conference held following the march that “there was free movement throughout the country.” And she highlighted the actions of the security forces.
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