17A
The 17A protests were a series of massive demonstrations in Argentina which took place on August 17, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, for several causes, among which: the defense of institutions and separation of powers, against a justice reform announced by the government, against the way quarantine was handled, the lack of liberty, the increase in theft, and a raise on state pensions.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
For the Dublin Bus route, see Dublin Bus.17A
August 17, 2020
- Increasing democratic backsliding and prospect of dissolution of the Congress
- Government corruption and impunity
- Inefficient government response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Harsh, but still futile response of the government
- Increase of crime, violence and classism
- Increase on state pensions and sharp decrease on social incentives
- Maintenance of the separation of powers and defense of the institutions
- More freedom of movement
- Stop democratic backsliding of the government
- Resignation of president Alberto Fernández and Minister of Health Ginés González García (far-right minority groups)
demonstrations, civil disobedience, online activism, protest march, cacerolazos, car marches
- On 18 September, president Alberto Fernández announced less social restrictions and more economic relief
- Increased political and social division
- President’s plummeting popularity, with near 70% of disapproval
- Less restrictive social distancing since September
The main protest was in the Buenos Aires Obelisk. Demonstrations were also held in other parts of the city, such as Cabildo and Juramento (a main intersection in Belgrano), in front of the department of Cristina Kirchner (in Recoleta), and in other cities: Córdoba, Santa Fe, Mendoza, Tucumán, Mar del Plata, Lomas de Zamora, Adrogué, Avellaneda (Santa Fe), Viedma.[7][4][5][6][8][9][10][11] Protests were also held in Punta del Este, Uruguay.[12]
The protests were organised mainly through social networks, by accounts that oppose the government, but with a nonpartisan focus, since no political party claimed the protests, and neither any party emblems were seen in the protests.[13][14][15][10] Still, some politicians who oppose the government took part in the protests as private citizens, such as Patricia Bullrich, the leader of the PRO party.[15][16] The government of the time accused the participants of being "anti-quarantine" and mocking the pandemic containment efforts.[17][18][19]
Several public figures from Argentina participated in the protests: