Protesters in Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, march against the Supreme Court's ban on Cristina Fernández de Kirchner holding public office. Photo: Telesur.
As is the case every Wednesday, thousands of retirees, trade union members, members of social movements, and students marched in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. This week, they added to their grievances the condemnation of the political proscription of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. On Tuesday, June 10, the Supreme Court of Argentina sentenced Fernández de Kirchner to six years in prison and banned her from holding public office. The marchers also demanded an increase in pensions for retirees and in salaries for workers at the Garrahan Children’s Hospital.
The demonstrators gathered in the vicinity of the Plaza de Mayo, where there was a large police presence, as usual. According to Argentinian media, the marchers had planned to hold a massive protest in front of the Congress, but the security forces, under orders of Minister Patricia Bullrich, prevented the marchers from advancing towards the building.
Although the security forces closed access to the Casa Rosada, the seat of the presidency, there were some confrontations between the participants and the police officers, who pushed and shoved those who tried to advance.
In this regard, Congressperson Gabriel Solano condemned the security forces and called on all Argentinians to take to the streets and join the struggle.
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Councilor and member of Partido Obrero, Juan Moreno, highlighted that in addition to the condemnation of the Supreme Court ruling against the former president, the march is taking place “in defense of public education, of public health, showing that all struggles must be unified and promoting a plenary of the occupied and unemployed.”
Hundreds of people continued a vigil outside the house of Cristina Fernández as a sign of support. The gathering of activists began once the Supreme Court ruling was announced and the former president returned to her house.
In the afternoon, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner appeared on the balcony to greet the supporters.
For months, Argentinian retirees have marched in the vicinity of Plaza de Mayo every Wednesday to demand the reinstatement of their benefits, which were denied to them after the adjustments made by the ultra-right, “libertarian” government of Javier Milei. The marches are supported by social and trade union organizations but have been repressed by Bullrich’s security policies.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
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