"Esta universidad será la casa mas hermosa, el sueño mas grande, es el camino increíble para
Such are the words that welcome a visitor as they enter la Universidad Popular Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Universidad de lucha y resistencia (The Popular University of the Mothers of the May Plaza, University of struggle and Resistance).
In 1999, with the experience and clarity forged in 23 years of struggle for justice for those sons, daughters, fathers, husbands, wives, mothers, that were either tortured, assassinated, or disappeared by the Argentine military regime of 76-83 - Dirty War - the Association of Mothers of the May Plaza decided to create a new space for social transformation: la Universidad Popular.
On March 24, Argentina commemorates those that fell victim to the state terrorism inflicted by the military regime, or Guerra Sucia (Dirty War) as it´s referred to. I had the fortunate opportunity - my two week stay in Buenos Aires was a late minute decision - to attend the rally this year. Las Madres (the mothers), those that a constantly reminded of their loss, lead the homage, Nunca Mas (Never Again). The story of the father or mother that hears a knock at the door, and immediately hopes that it is their son, or daughter who they do not know what happened to, is all too common in Argentina. Fifty metre long, by 2 metre wide banners, with an 8x10 photo of those that disappeared, are carried, like coffins, by the people to Plaza de Mayo, in the heart of Buenos Aires.
At the tribunal, in front of the obelisk that graces the centre of Plaza de Maya, a document, prepared by the various organisations that participate in the rally is read. The rally demands that the impunity of the military generals, officers, and all that were involved is ended, and are brought to justice. While the current government has made moves in this direction, the process is slow and painful, with many believing that the grace, and injustice of a natural death will be end result of the criminals.
The trial of one criminal, Miguel Etchecolatz - the director of investigations of the Buenos Aires Police, which was notorious for detention centres - was due to to conclude when the key witness, Julio Jorge Lopez disappeared the night before. One year later, he has not been seen. The people have seen this before, and too aware of manipulation, and distortion that the state is capable of. Another key demand of the rally was the safe return of Julio Lopez.
Prior to the rally, the streets are alive with radical graffiti: No to the impunity; Long live the rebellion of December 20; Down with bourgeoisie; Return Julio Lopez alive. The average Argentine walks past these familiar sights. But the new-comer will spend triple the time walking Avendia de Mayo, one of the main streets in Buenos Aires. The graffiti is still there, the messages starring the passer-by.
At the rally, on the loudspeaker, there´s the announcement, "comrades, we now need to clear out for the comrades of the second rally". Bemused, I enquiry what this second rally is: it is the Left´s turn. The scarcity of the red flags, che placards, had left me wondering that there was a tiny left presence in Argentina. How foolish was I? No, the Left have their own rally to mark this day, with much more radical demands are put forward, and a much larger hoard.
Various people from the second rally explained that this was the counter-rally, as the first has too many government supporters. This, as I was told, is the way this day is always commemorated, with two different rallies, otherwise their could be clashes.
The political level was sharper, as the orators, one-by-one, each representing various organisations, parties, and unions at the rally, put forward internationalist demands, calls for solidarity, and as well as those aforementioned: Hands off Venezuela and Cuba; Free the Cuban Five; No aggression on Iran; Yankee imperialism out of Iraq and Latin America.
The information leaflet - with course outlines, seminars, and free public forums that take place at university - that one can pick up as they enter la Universidad Popular, states: "from its origins, la Universidad de las Madres has as its purpose: to stimulate critical thinking and organise the space for creative reflection. Articulate the theory and the practical, generate the tools to promote intellectual discussions, open a space so that the popular sectors, and the new social movements can participate and construct the political and solidarity structures. "
Unfortunately, in Argentina and worldwide, crimes against humanity, such as those perpetrated by the Bush administration in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Occupation of Palestine by Israel, to only mention a few, are still being perpetrated in the names of liberty and democracy. Institutions such as La Universidad Popular provide a constant space for people to reflect on the past, critique the present, and organise for the future.
