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March 24 meant nothing to me until 2004 when, thanks to my friend Alberto, I heard about the terrible dictatorship that the citizens of Argentina were subjected to from 1976 to 1983 and visited the infamous Escuela de Mecanica de la Armada (ESMA), where some of the atrocities occurred.
Most of us are unhappy about some aspects of the manner our governments run things. Even in the most "democratic" countries many would often prefer decisions other than those taken by our leaders. Finally, I think it is fair to say that most of us are frustrated in some way or other by those who run things for us.
It's a matter of degree and of adequate information as to what is really going on. Where is the line? At which point do gross disinformation, fear mongering and expert manipulation of public opinion completely negate the spirit of democracy? Is the free choice of individual voters meaningful when they have been brainwashed?
Are we still in a democracy when the elected representatives of the people can be bought to do the bidding of powerful private interests? Are we still in a democracy when it becomes obvious that strategic trade policies are dictated by the interests of Corporate America at the expense of the working citizens of that country?. Are we still in a democracy when the short term interests of Corporate America lead to growing trade balance deficits and to levels of collective debt that our children and grandchildren will never be able to repay?.
Most of my readers will agree that the ritual of the ballot box becomes meaningless in that context. Is that the democracy we wish to export to Iraq and for which more than 3000 young American patriots have given up their lives?
As bad as the situation is presently in the most powerful nation of the world, it could get worse. Let's not forget the burning of the Reichstag on February 1933 that led to the dictatorship of Hitler...
In 1976 Argentina's democracy was buffetted by high inflation, unemployment and internal strife leading to terrorist acts from the extreme right and the extreme left . That was bad enough but on March 24, 1976, a military junta led by General Jorge Rafael Videla arrested the democratically elected president Isabel Perón, seized power and imposed martial law. The junta closed congress, banned political parties, abolished freedom of speech and freedom of press. In what was claimed to be a war against terrorist and communist groups, the military persecuted, tortured, and killed citizens who opposed or questioned the dictatorship, expressed leftist views, or simply appeared in the address books of people considered subversive.
Over the next 7 years, unspeakable atrocities and the "disappearance" of 30 000 citizens have deeply traumatized the people of Argentina.. That is now well documented and you can read about all the gruesome details by doing a google search on March 24, 1976 in Argentina.
The dictatorship lasted seven years before it was forced to relinquish power following Argentina's military defeat in its attempt to seize the Falkland Islands from the British. The 24th of March has been declared a public holiday as the "Day of Memory for Truth and Justice" and the infamous coup has been commemorated by well attended protest marches every year since. This was the 31st such manifestation.
Groups assembled in various locations before converging on the Plaza del Congresso from which they marched to the seat of government, the "Casa Rosada" at the other end of Avenida de Mayo.
This group of students assembled on Callao near Corrientes.
Thirty years after the event, it still carries a powerful emotional charge for those who survived and more particularly for the children of those who disappeared (los desaparecidos).
Here, on Plaza del Congresso pages telling the story of some of the disappeared
are posted by their friends and family.
Videla, the instigator and leader of the military junta will bring forth emotions of fear and hatred for yet many generations.
The manifestation provided an occasion for this Lesbian drum band to show their stuff.
This modest monument showing the names of 15 desaparecidos of the "Caja Nacional de Ahorro y Seguro" was installed by their colleagues on Plaza del Congresso so they would not be forgotten.
A group of people close to my age stood by clamouring for justice.
Only a few members of the junta were tried and punished. Hundreds of known perpetrators of the worst atrocities have been pardoned in 1991 by Carlos Menem in the name of national reconciliation
March 24 is not likely to be forgotten for a long time yet.
Naturally, worker and student movements of the left were the most vehement for they suffered the most under the extreme right dictatorship.
The stitching of this composite photo is rather poor but you can read most of the 150 names posted on the banner of tortured, murdered and "disappeared" victims of the dictatorship.
Here, members of the Workers Party prepare to march on the "Casa Rosada".
Another group, The Socialist Left, sports a huge banner.
And here is yet another,
The "Comisión Argentina de Derechos Humanos" (Human Rights Commission of Argentina) protests against Argentina’s judicial system for moving too slowly to bring to trial 259 military and police personnel charged with crimes from the dictatorship period. More than two decades later, only a few have been tried.
Here, the Human Rights group, marching on Avenida de Mayo, is crossing Avenida 9 de Julio with the Obelisco in the background.
Another group crossing Avenida 9 de Julio with the Obelisco in the background.
Here the group "Truth and Justice" shows photos and data on some 40 men and women executed for political reasons.
This banner heralds the "Asociacion de Abocados Laboralistas" marching behind it.
And this one identifies the "Escuela Nacional de Ciné"
Here comes the big socialist left banner.
Through out the march, groups of drummers maintained a high level of noise increasing the already high emotional tension.
More loud drummers.
And still some more...
Of course, the Communist Party would not miss an occasion like this to show the flag.
And naturally no self respecting left wing manifestation can do without the charismatic figure of Che Guevara, especially here in his homeland...
Living that emotional popular manifestation was a unique experience for me. I had participated in the may 1968 manifestations in Paris but this was different.
I became aware of three lines of emotional force.
a) regret and painful remembrance of jailed, tortured, murdered and disappeared
loved ones,
b) anger and desire for justice considering that most of the perpetrators went
free, and,
c) more importantly, an underlying fear that it could happen again.
It was a profoundly moving experience to realize that it could happen again, not only here but also in the USA as it did in Germany, Chile and in so many other countries in times of crisis (contrived or not). The next Caesar could very well be waiting for the right occasion if he is not impeached in time.
