Today, I went down to Plaza de Mayo & 9 de Julio (downtown Buenos Aires) to check out what all the commotion was about on the news over the last few days. Turns out protestors have setup camp right in the middle of a very busy street downtown (Av de Mayo) and are at a stand still with government officials. It looks like a scene you’d see at a big concert or festival, except more signs and a lot less fortunate people.
There were families with children sitting in and around tents and men playing soccer in the street. Some people were begging for money while others held up signs and shouted.
Businessmen and women leaving nearby offices walked around the chaos as if not even to notice. It seemed as though it was just another day at the office except they had more people to step over on their way home. Police don’t seem to be on edge either. After filtering protesters into one area they seemed to settle in. Some were even shopping in a kiosk as I passed by. However, over the last few days, I’ve seen in increase in military style vehicles (with water hoses) and patrolmen then on the average protest day.
Excerpt from today’s Buenos Aires Herald:
“Picket groups are still camping on the Mayo Avenue, after settling camp yesterday evening, requesting the inclusion of their members to the government’s social working plan. Protesters originally wanted to camp in front of the Government House but hundreds of police officers, backed by a hydrant, blocked the roads that lead to the Plaza de Mayo square.
Campers are led by picket group “Barrios de Pie” (Neighbourhoods Standing). The protestors first met in three different train stations yesterday afternoon — Constitución, Once and Retiro — and marched toward the Government House on the Plaza de Mayo square.
Leaders of the picket group announced they would camp in front of the Government House, but hundreds of police officers blocked the streets that surround the area to prevent the protesters from settling on the square. The picket groups then decided to camp all along the Mayo Avenue.
Last month, a similar demonstration took place when hunderds of protesters camped on the 9 de Julio Avenue for over 30 hours.” – Buenos Aires Herald (Dec. 3, 2009)
More Protest Photos from Buenos Aires
I have so many questions about the who’s and the how’s of this entire process. I understand who is involved and I understand the reasoning but there has to be much deeper strategic and historical factors that I just don’t know… yet!
Are protests a good thing for this country? Does it let people and groups burn off steam so that there aren’t major riots?
Do protests work? It seems like people are used to this and whoever isn’t involved just goes on about their business. However, when transportation is blocked it becomes an issue. The Argentine President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, already said she wouldn’t pay attention to all the protests, however, she had to react when the Buenos Aires Subte shut down.
What ever happened with that anyway?
There are so many different groups, all fighting for something different.
So much to learn and understand.
Any good articles out there to help understand deeper?
