Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated to protest against the Argentine president’s decision not to increase the budget paid to universities.
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Massive mobilization, Tuesday April 23, in Argentina to defend public higher education. According to the organizers, 500,000 people gathered – 150,000 for the police – to protest against the decision of Argentine President Javier Milei to pay the same budget as in 2023 to universities. Whereas with inflation of nearly 300%, faculties would need four times more to function normally.
In the Plaza de Mayo, in Buenos Aires, hundreds of thousands of people of all ideological stripes, of all ages. In the middle of the crowd, Paula, a sociology student: “I am worried and angry. But we have the strength to fight. Argentina has overthrown dictatorships, women have won the right to abortion. We will not let ourselves be overcome by the fear that the government wants us to impose.”
“Everything is kept to a minimum”
On social media, Milei called the protesters “indoctrinated leftists”. But they were not discouraged, like Vanina Toscano, professor at the faculty of medicine, tired of the teaching conditions: “There is no money for student or researcher scholarships, nor for electricity, air conditioning, heating. Everything is reduced to a minimum. In all areas, we suffer the consequences.”
The University of Buenos Aires, founded in 1821, has seen presidents and Nobel Prize winners. But prestige doesn’t pay the bills and, without money, faculties could close. Camila, student in 4e year of medicine worries: “I am very angry and anxious. Because many of us are children of workers. If the university closes, we lose the possibility of access to free, quality education. Me, for example, I would have to stop my studies medicine.”
Touching on public education seems to be the Argentines’ limit. According to polls, 85% of the population condemns the decision of Milei, whose popularity has declined sharply, just four months after his election.