repression |riˈpre sh ən| |rəˈprɛʃən| |riˈprɛʃən| noun from repress |riˈpres| verb [ trans. ]: subdue (someone or something) by force : the uprisings were repressed; inhibit the natural development or self-expression of (someone or something) : too much bureaucracy represses creativity.

For all of you asking me “how are things in Argentina today?” here’s the answer:

• On February 28th, 2009, people were using a public space in the city of Tigre (60 km north of Buenos Aires) for an improvised puppet theater for the kids; this was happening on a sunny morning, with families and artisans selling their handcrafted items;
• The local police came to say that they are not allowed to stay, without identifying themselves properly (no visible IDs, some of them dressing like civilians), and without clearly stating the reasons for their presence;
• The gathered people decided to go to the municipality of Tigre to reclaim their right of peaceful use of a public space in daylight with their kids – a constitutional right;
• The police forces blocked them from reaching the municipality and proceeded to repress them, arresting many all while doing injuries to babies, kids, parents and people gathered around the improvised theater.
• Finally, these events were not covered nor relayed by mass media afterwards.

In countries like Switzerland, “unauthorized” gatherings in public spaces of more than 50 people or so are (as far as I know) forbidden (I have yet to understand why, and then try to agree with such a ridiculous law). This is not like that in Argentina. The Argentine Constitution guarantees freedom of gathering, expression and trade, and the crowd in this case was just using this liberty. The public space is exactly that: a common area for everyone to use in lawful and peaceful activities. I can’t conceive a more lawful and peaceful activity than a puppet theater.

The argentine police still uses the same methods and training while during the last dictatorship in the 70′s. They have no law, they obey no orders other than theirs. Their chief has stated publicly that they are the democracy, that they are the law.

That’s how Argentina is going these days. You can now continue reading about the beautiful hotels in the glacier Perito Moreno or the Iguazu falls, if you insist in burying your head deep in the mud.

Otherwise, watch this.