The people took to the streets yet again today here in Mendoza as part of a national work stoppage.
The complaints were many, but the teachers were the primary movers and had center stage due to some recent changes to salary policies, among other issues. Most of the other important worker’s unions were also represented–coming out to support the teachers as well as to air their own complaints.
Life is definitely tough for the disappearing middle class in this land of badly-managed plenty. Just yesterday, statistics were released that showed a full third of the population now live below the poverty line.
[Insert here a discussion of whether a people get the government they deserve. How might that apply to us in the USA? Do we currently have what we deserve?]
Below, you will find some images from today’s protest and march…
I managed to show up at the Provincial Legislature building next to Plaza Independencia just as things were getting organized and the marchers started heading out on the walk to the Casa de Gobierno:
I always wondered how they deployed the giant, nearly-endless, Argentine flag I had seen at other marches. The thing is at least 500 meters long–maybe longer. I finally got to see how it is packaged, then the actual deployment in action. The dog helped make this image, though if I could of posed the critter slightly differently, I would have:
Many hands make little work. I like the view of the flag through the cell phone. The image would have been stronger had one of the individuals turned around to give me some eye contact:
“One hundred years of struggle” for public education:
Members of the press were out in force to cover this event–but some were also marching in it. “Enough with the miserable salaries,” says one sign. I like the different faces in this image, centered around the blonde woman with longer hair:
“When the righteous govern, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” From Proverbs 29:2:
Cuando los justos gobiernan. Mendoza, Argentina, 2016
The assembly at the provincial Casa de Gobierno…let the speeches begin. Note the different faces and hand gestures in the crowd, including someone drinking mate:
These posters were plastered throughout the city in strategic spots. This was one of the more creative placements:
