On the 49th anniversary of the 1976 coup, tens of thousands marched in Argentina to honor victims of the military dictatorship. Under the slogan “Memory, Truth and Justice,” diverse civil organizations united against President Javier Milei’s administration. The event featured readings by prominent human rights activists and emphasized the ongoing struggle for justice for the approximately 30,000 individuals who disappeared during this period.
On Monday, tens of thousands of citizens participated in nationwide marches commemorating the victims of state terrorism, marking the 49th anniversary of Argentina’s 1976 coup d’état that initiated a brutal military dictatorship lasting until 1983. Demonstrators gathered under the motto “Memory, Truth and Justice,” wielding torches and photographs of their missing loved ones in a significant annual remembrance event.
The memorial coincided with Argentina’s National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice, a public holiday wherein human rights groups, political parties, labor unions, social organizations, and student movements united in Buenos Aires. The procession concluded at the Plaza de Mayo, adjacent to the government house, exemplifying collective remembrance and opposition to President Javier Milei’s administration.
In a notable development, for the first time in almost twenty years, major human rights organizations marched in solidarity following a previous 2006 split regarding the movement’s direction. Veteran activists such as Estela de Carlotto, Taty Almeida, and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel read a consensus document during the rally’s final stages.
Factions of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo and Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo led the march, continuing their relentless pursuit of justice for those who disappeared during the dictatorship. The event had a politically charged atmosphere, with criticisms directed at President Milei’s government for defunding human rights organizations and challenging historical narratives surrounding the dictatorship’s atrocities.
In the lead-up to the march, the government announced plans to declassify intelligence files related to the Armed Forces’ activities during the dictatorship, which will be transferred to Argentina’s National Archives. Human rights advocates assert that approximately 30,000 individuals vanished during the military junta’s rule.
The Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo continue to search for children abducted at birth from mothers detained by state security forces. President Carlotto stated, “In this long fight, we have resolved 139 cases out of a suspected 350 to 400 stolen children. We need all of society to find them all; it is never too late… the state must guarantee the restitution of our granddaughters and grandsons.”
Despite Milei’s questioning of the number of disappeared, the demonstrators maintained a firm stance against the prevailing political climate, evidenced by chants and signs denouncing the president’s austerity measures and his governance style. The atmosphere stood in stark contrast to a recent pensioners’ march that resulted in violent clashes with the police and instead showcased a collective demand for remembrance and justice in a peaceful demonstration, highlighted by participant María Eva Gómez’s reflective observation about democracy and its cost.
The event was also punctuated by personal testimonies from attendees like Elías Pérez, who emphasized the continued significance of finding the missing individuals, thus justifying the substantial turnout for this year’s march.
The 49th anniversary of Argentina’s coup d’état saw a profound display of collective memory and resistance against state terrorism. The monumental turnout exemplified the enduring commitment of various societal factions to pursue truth and justice amidst politically charged environments. As voiced by activists and participants alike, the message remains clear: the fight for recognition and restitution for the victims of the past continues, underscoring the importance of historical remembrance in safeguarding the future.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
