Several organizations was present

D'Elía leads rally, protests in BA City against Macri administration

Some 30 social organizations, unions, and political and human rights groups marched today to the Buenos Aires City Government headquarters in protest of "the represion-based policies upheld by Mauricio Macri" and to ask for "an inclusive city model."

The slogan for the demonstrations was "Macri: two years of repression in the city," and the main rally was led by picketer Luis D'Elía, Milagros Sala from Jujuy and the Tupac Amaru group, along with CTA workers' union Hugo Yasky, and Sandra Rodríguez.

The protests started at the intersection of Avenida de Mayo and the 9 de Julio Avenue, and ended at the city's government headquarters, where a rally was held.

There, a document signed by some 30 organizations accused Government head Mauricio Macri of upholding a "repressive model" in the city by creating the Metropolitan Police, and added that he had led "the destruction of public policies" in the sectors of education, health, social development, housing and culture.

"The Macri administration is trying to repress the security in this city by presenting a neoliberal city model," says the document.

Then, the demonstrators asked that a political trial be held in investigation of Macri's "responsibility" as Government Chief due to the "serious incidents" that are a product of the "scandelous" espionage probe underway in the city.

In addition, the protesters asked for the immediate resignation of Public Areas Minister Juan Pablo Picardo, Education Minister Mariano Narodowski, and Security Minister Guillermo Montenegro.

The leader from Jujuy said that Macri should remember that "the city is not his business, the city is part of this country."

At the protest, the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo were also present, along with family members of persons who disappeared or have been detained for political reasons, the Tupac Amaru movement, the Social Organizations Network, the centre for popular movements, the CTA workers' union, the CTA-Capital group, the UTA-CTA, Quebracho, and the Communist and Humanist parties.

Earlier, roadblocks were staged when the Panamericana highway remained blocked for almost two hours as a result of a demonstration in General Pacheco, Buenos Aires carried out by workers of Kraft Foods, who were demanding that the company rehire 32 workers that the company laid off as a result of dropping sales. The protesters were later evicted by the border guard officers.

Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández had questioned the rally organized by Luis D'Elía. In an interview, the Minister said "I do not agree with that kind of protest", in a clear reference to the block of roads and avenues the protest produced.

"I'm against road blocks whether they are conducted by D'Elía or by my sister", and added, "there are many other ways to protest." Fernández raised controversies as D'Elía is considered a close ally of the Kirchner administration.

The Argentine Workers Centre (CTA) led by Hugo Yasky also carried out a protest that started at the intersection of Belgrano and Entre Ríos avenues, heading towards the Congress demanding social plans for the workers.

Also, students blocked Avenida de Mayo and 9 de Julio right in front of the Argentine Industrial Union's (UIA) headquarters in what they claim to be a "support demonstration" to the Kraft Foods workers that blocked the Panamericana highway earlier. 

Later on, the students marched to the Labour Ministry located at Leandro Alem Avenue intersection Lavalle.