action in argentina
observer | 11.11.2002 02:42
taking action into the streets, the Piquetero's are make very effective change through direct in-your-face-action on saturday to acchieve their desired results.
On saturday a group of piqutero's set out to keep the mayor of buenos aires (B.A.) keep his promise for initiating reforms amongst the poor people in this city.
some time ago, an agreeement was reached between the piquetero's and the city council to implement measures that would directly affect and improve the living conditions of the poor and people who are out of work in the city of b.a. after no or only a few of these agreed measures were acted upon, the piquteros from one particular group decided to bring their grievances with the mayor to the mayor himself to protest at the lack of action initiated from the council. aproximately 50 people gathered outside the mayor's house with cooking implements,setting up a no-drive area in the street, preventing the passage of any vehicles and to initiate a sit in on the fottpath until the council agreed to to introduce the remainder of the reforms as previously agreed upon. the action was extremely effective, the drums very noisy and the result positive.
the feeling was overwhelming for me as the action was so effective, after attending many actions before and having to immediate tangible outcome can become frustrating. however the attitude and idea to confront the situatioon where it was most effective proved fruitful. after a peirod of a couple of hours the council agreed inwriting to instituting the reaminder of the reforms agreed upon which included providing construction materials for the patching up of houses, shoes for people, money for food among others. the protest was one of peaceable means where only one car was able to cross through the picket, which was met with a heated response from the piquetero's and could have possibly erupted but things were smoothed out and the car withdrew and took another direction.
police were present for the demonstration making a human wall between the mayor's doorway and the piquetero kitchen. with the police repression during last years and especially surrounding the events of 20 and 21 last year where 35 people were shot and killed by police and also the shooting of two protesters (after and outside of the demonstration) in june, any people who are taking on this form of protesting against the police is being quite bold and galant.
this form of demonstration was especially inspiring because of the bold way the group set out to be seen, heard and not care about possible consequences for actions. i feel that it is or would be an inspiration to other would-be activists across the world who want to effect change. to use the very least that which you have - your physical presence and standing in a place where it is most noticable is effective for acchieveing reform against the government if this is your aim.
TAKE HEED, GET OUT THERE AND MAKE YOURSELVES AND YOUR PRESENCE FELT AS THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE EFFECTIVE. TALK IS CHEAP BUT SO IS A PICKET!
VIDA DE LUCHA
some time ago, an agreeement was reached between the piquetero's and the city council to implement measures that would directly affect and improve the living conditions of the poor and people who are out of work in the city of b.a. after no or only a few of these agreed measures were acted upon, the piquteros from one particular group decided to bring their grievances with the mayor to the mayor himself to protest at the lack of action initiated from the council. aproximately 50 people gathered outside the mayor's house with cooking implements,setting up a no-drive area in the street, preventing the passage of any vehicles and to initiate a sit in on the fottpath until the council agreed to to introduce the remainder of the reforms as previously agreed upon. the action was extremely effective, the drums very noisy and the result positive.
the feeling was overwhelming for me as the action was so effective, after attending many actions before and having to immediate tangible outcome can become frustrating. however the attitude and idea to confront the situatioon where it was most effective proved fruitful. after a peirod of a couple of hours the council agreed inwriting to instituting the reaminder of the reforms agreed upon which included providing construction materials for the patching up of houses, shoes for people, money for food among others. the protest was one of peaceable means where only one car was able to cross through the picket, which was met with a heated response from the piquetero's and could have possibly erupted but things were smoothed out and the car withdrew and took another direction.
police were present for the demonstration making a human wall between the mayor's doorway and the piquetero kitchen. with the police repression during last years and especially surrounding the events of 20 and 21 last year where 35 people were shot and killed by police and also the shooting of two protesters (after and outside of the demonstration) in june, any people who are taking on this form of protesting against the police is being quite bold and galant.
this form of demonstration was especially inspiring because of the bold way the group set out to be seen, heard and not care about possible consequences for actions. i feel that it is or would be an inspiration to other would-be activists across the world who want to effect change. to use the very least that which you have - your physical presence and standing in a place where it is most noticable is effective for acchieveing reform against the government if this is your aim.
TAKE HEED, GET OUT THERE AND MAKE YOURSELVES AND YOUR PRESENCE FELT AS THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO BE EFFECTIVE. TALK IS CHEAP BUT SO IS A PICKET!
VIDA DE LUCHA
observer
