Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo

Tonight I attended the presentation of the Argentinean Madres de la Plaza, where they discussed the history of the organization and it's struggle for answers.  The Madres were started in the late 70s after 30,000 people were kidnapped and killed by the Argentinean government, which was at the time a military dictatorship.  The Madres, wanting to know what happened to their children and demanding justice, began their protests at the Plaza de Mayo in front of the Casa Rosa, the Argentinean White House.  They gathered every Thursday at 3:00 PM and protested for a half an hour, something they continue to do today.  The Madres themselves experienced threats, murders, and kidnappings of their own.

In December of 1981 the Madres had the first March of Resistance in la Plaza, where they along with supporters marched for 24 hours straight.  This too is a continued practice.  Come 1985, an elected president was in charge and the first trials of military officers began.  However, progress was halted when the president passed the Full Stop and Due Obedience Laws, which restricted rights and made it more difficult for the Madres to get information.

Finally with the presidency of Nestor Kirchner did things turn around.  The Full Stop and Due Obedience Laws were found unconstitutional and annulled, and President Kirchner was the first president to acknowledge and fight for the Madres.  April 30th was named Day of Dignity for the Madres, as it was the first day back in 1977 that they marched upon la Plaza.

When I traveled to Buenos Aires and visited the Plaza I remember the feeling of raw emotion while watching the Madres continue their protest of over 30 years.  The pain, anger, sadness, and desire to know what happened to their children is evident, and surely a wound upon the country's history that may never heal.