“And we are going again / against this government / so that our people do not pay for the crisis / against the bankers and the capitalists / the only solution is socialist Argentina / Again, again, again in the streets“, The protesters chanted Left front Waiting for an order to enter the Plaza de Mayo. Around him and despite a heavy operation involving up to 500 soldiers who had previously been released from circulation, traffic in central Buenos Aires was in chaos.

After two days of demonstrations that began in the extreme parts of the country, the social organizations that form Picketero Division They arrived at the square yesterday. At the doors of the Casa Rosada, they once again stretched the rope with the government, demanding real work and increased plans and salaries, in a new demonstration of strength in the streets. They also targeted the CGT, from which they requested a National strike.

The wait for the protesters lasted longer than expected: although the rally was scheduled for 15:00, the filling of the square started at about 17:00, and the demonstrations started an hour later.

“Tell Alberto Fernandez, tell Christina Kirchner, you who are like the president. We were already over 300,000 [en todo el país] And there are 100,000 people here today. “You have to learn to count, as well as to calculate inflation,” said the leader of the organization Worker pole, Edward BelibonFrom the stage. “We are calling for a national strike against the CGT correction,” he demanded.

Sylvia Sarah (Foot areasOn April inflation (6%), the value of which was known in mid-March: “This number hurts us, it means that more than half of the children are poor.” In turn, Monica Sule (MST – Teresa lives) Requested a change of system. “Capitalism continues to sink us. The government of Alberto Fernandez, the government of Mauricio Macri and Miley, who hate the street. We have to stay on the street. “A popular economy is what saves us.”

The original idea was for three columns – Retiro, Constitución and Eleven – from the groups participating in the “Federal March” to enter the Plaza de Mayo at the same time. Each was led by a different organization. Coordination was complicated. Polo Obrero was one of the first to arrive. At about 3:30 pm they walked along Avenida Rivadavia until they found themselves on Hipólito Yrigoyen. Black flags with the party name warned of the origin of each group in white letters: San Juan, Entre Ríos, Misiones, Mendoza, Chaco, Mar del Plata, CABA, Pergamino and others.

“There are drinks, beer, flavored water,” shouted a woman in her fifties. “$ 100 drink,” he repeated, trying to emphasize the offer. Beside him his daughter was selling hamburgers. The family group ended with a grandmother who was among the protesters as a strategy. “I already sold it for $ 1,000,” he said as soon as the column passed. “Do not celebrate that I need at least $ 3000 to pay for drinks“- replied his daughter, surprised by the small sales.

Although the main claim of the march was “real labor” and “increasing social plans”, other demands were heard before the start of the main act. The Plenary of Combat Unionism organized an open radio where several speakers pointed against the CGT. “There is no CGT, there is not even a strike”Missed one of them. “CGT and CTA continue agreement with the government of Alberto Fernandez”, Stressed the future speaker. The Left Front, in turn, insisted on changing the working day. “Work 6 hours a week 5 days a week, work for everyone”Says one of the red flags previously displayed in front of the main stage, which is surrounded by screens and speakers.

The backyard of the plaza is fenced and guarded by city police. At three o’clock in the afternoon most of the businesses decided to close. The flower stand was one of the few shops that remained open. Before the protesters could advance along Avenida de Mayo, its owner immediately picked up the pots from the sidewalk. “They do not respect anything, it happens that they climb on the plants. We have to close it now. “ He worried after calculating that the protest would lose at least three hours of work a normal day. The only merchant who differed was the owner of the booth. “It depends on the day, sometimes it does not work”He pointed out.

The federal march started last Tuesday with a rally in La Quiaca (Jujuy) and another in Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego). The caravans, along with the demonstrators who arrived in the city yesterday, left from four parts of the country: NOA, NEA, Cuyo and Patagonia. Yesterday it was estimated that some 20 microns for each region. As agreed on Monday with Buenos Aires Minister of Justice and Security Marcelo d’Alessandro, they were parked on the beach. “Metrobus remained free. “Chaos was what was expected due to the number of people,” said sources from the portfolio.

Although the main demands of the march were “real work” and “increasing social plans”, other demands were heard before the start of the main act. The Left front Insisted on changing the working day. “Work 6 hours a week, 5 days a week to work for everyone,” reads one of the red flags previously displayed in front of the main stage.

It was around 6:00 pm, and while the final speakers were still there, some of the demonstrators started to retreat. A man with a bib Foot areas He instructed to conveniently collect all the flags, such as organizing a march which, although all had to be returned to their respective buses, was tasked with deconcentration.

The backyard of the plaza was fenced from the beginning and was guarded by the city police. Most businesses decided to close by 3pm. The flower stand was one of the few shops that remained open. Before the protesters could advance along Avenida de Mayo, its owner immediately picked up the pots from the sidewalk. “It happens that they do not respect anything, they climb on the plants. We have to close now“He worried after calculating that the protest would make him lose his job for at least three hours a normal day.

The same thing happened to a man on Bolivar who was in a hurry to close the front door of his parking lot. “It will destroy you today. Already in the morning you see fewer people coming. But you will get used to it. “– Told its owner ᲔᲠᲘ. While normal days close at 9:30 p.m., yesterday they closed at 4:30 p.m. The parking lot entrance soon became a large showcase for the traveler t-shirt seller. The only merchant who differed was the owner of the booth. “Depending on the day, sometimes it gives us benefits“, – he pointed out.