In Argentina, the president, Javier Milei, declared that the era of the present state is over and that its role should be limited to the defense of life, liberty, and property. This declaration sparked a wave of protests across the country in defense of the free public university, which is a crucial institution for social mobility for the lower and middle class.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in various cities to demonstrate against budget cuts to universities that have resulted in a significant reduction in funds. The protest was led by students, professors, and workers who gathered at the Argentine Congress after passing through an upper-class area near some of the main faculties of the University of Buenos Aires. They marched while singing the Argentine national anthem and carrying signs in support of public education.
Despite attempts by the government to discredit the protest and portray it as politically motivated, it was supported by a wide range of political figures and organizations. Participants from various faculties came together with different messages in support of education, including medicine, economics, law, and engineering. The government had expressed concerns about possible acts of provocation during the march but did not intervene in the demonstrations.
The protest against budget cuts to universities was one of the largest in recent years and highlighted the importance of protecting this key institution as a pillar of Argentina’s social fabric. Despite attempts by far-right politicians to undermine public education, this demonstration showed that various sectors of society are united in their opposition to such attacks on fundamental rights.
