Argentina's Macrisis: Buenos Aires police quashes produce giveaway
Police in Buenos Aires quashed a produce giveaway organized by local growers earlier today as a form of silent protest, leading to several injuries from rubber bullets and pepper spray.
Hundreds of people lined up this morning in Constitución Square, in Buenos Aires'
working-class southside, to receive a wide selection of free produce.
Produce giveaways, known in Argentina as verdurazos, are organized by independent growers from the orchard belt southeast of Buenos Aires led by the Union of Land Workers (UTT) as a protest against rising costs and taxes.
These have became recurring events since the right-wing Mauricio Macri administration took office in late 2015 - though today's incident marks the first time police have moved to quash a verdurazo.
Running scared
Election year politics may have motivated today's order.
Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta belongs to Macri's right-wing party, the PRO - and despite mostly friendly local news media coverage, both face uncertain re-election prospects amid the worst recession since 2002.
Real wages in Argentina have fallen by 17% since Macri was elected, as inflation has doubled to nearly 50%.
Family farms, too, have suffered amid declining sales, sharply higher input costs, and utility rate hikes which under Macri have averaged around 2500%.
Macri's decision in July to rescind the Social Agricultural Contribution (MSA), through which the roughly 10,000 family farms who grow 60% of the metro area's fruits and vegetables could access retirement and other benefits, have intensified discontent in the once thriving sector.
Recent data show that Argentina's recession, which began in May after a brief carry-trade debt bubble imploded, deepened during the final months of 2018, with GDP falling 7.5% as of November.
"In the face of crisis and hunger, we propose solidarity among workers and direct merchandise from the producer to the consumer at popular prices," UTT delegate Nahuel Levaggi said.
"The government proposes night sticks, tear gas, and rubber bullets."
At: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&tab=wT&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pagina12.com.ar%2F175194-con-la-represion-como-respuesta-a-la-necesidad
A senior citizen picks up spilled eggplants during today's police attack on a produce giveaway in Buenos Aires.
Known in Argentina as verdurazos, these giveaways are organized by independent produce growers as a protest against rising costs and have became a frequent sight since the right-wing Macri administration took office in 2015.
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They've done that for decades, of course, during the absolute oppression and exploitation from the right-wing. We just don't hear about it, ever.
It's like Macri is almost daring the population to do anything about their mistreatment, their suffering at his hands.
He is silencing the protest of the argicultural growers. He is oppressing them. He is refusing to let those who are living in hunger come forward to use the food before it spoils. He is starving them. They are undoubtedly very certain that if they make any serious outcries, they will be imprisoned and very likely tortured and killed. He has provided some violence, and a little murder already to remind those who are slow to read the signs.
Had to look up the Mayor's face to remember him. Now I remember him perfectly. He has already done some horrible things. He also looks like a total sociopath, completely untrustworthy, and cruel. He looks like a snake standing on its tail.
"I didn't know if it was day or night, I started kissing every thing in sight.." (Lyrics, "love potion #9" )
"Don't take a step closer to my daughter, you pervert."
~ ~ ~
The photo with the article posted above, showing the lady trying to save an unused eggplant is so sad.
It takes on a horrendous edge knowing the horde of cops behind her are there to prevent needy people from being able to make dinner with the produce the growers have brought to share since they can't really make a profit from selling them any longer.
It's truly ominous. It reminds one EXACTLY of a fascist takeover, and when it's gone this far already, it's not going to be good for quite a while.
This year is going to be very interesting, as you remind us of the upcoming election near the end of the year.
If Macri's people don't prevent the election, no doubt the citizens would want those two replaced. How could they ever survive without enormous change?
You've given us a lot to think about, sandensea. Thank you.
