I think Li'l Joe and Connie White are reading too much into the cop
reaction, and are probably leaving out some key factors.
1) In Argentina all cops are armed with at least a pistol on their hips.
The cops in this picture are no exception.
2) The attempt to kick the workers out of the Brukman textile installation
was carried out by the Policia Federal Argentina (PFA), with as many
plainclothes police (also armed) as uniformed.
3) If the police didn't succeed it was due to two things:
a) Neighbours from that area came out (at least a couple hundred), cut off
Jujuy Ave. and banged their pots and pans. This got some media play which
resulted in people from ohter parts of the city joining in the protest.
b) The last thing the government wants right now is to have any casualties
that would cause a massive street protest. I have no doubt that the police
are under the strictest orders NOT to shoot.
4) This is the same police force that brutally repressed demonstrators on
20 December 2001, resulting in 5 dead down town. This was done while TV
cameras were rolling, which goes to show that they don't give a rat's ass
about being identified as having brutally beat up and shot peaceful
demonstrators.
5) This is also the same police force that brutally repressed at least two
cacerolazos in January, with absolutely no provocation. They tear gassed
and fired rubber bullets at peaceful demonstrators. (There are many reports
of how they appeared to be enjoying the repression, cracking jokes,
laughing, etc.)
6) This is not to say that there might not be solidaritous cops in the PFA.
However, as a force they are as fascistic as the Argentine military (with
strong neo-nazi influences).
I think that, so far, the government's fear of massive street protests is
what has resulted in lower levels of repression. However, there is a lot of
intimidation currently occurring. For example, neighborhood assemblies in
the Capital are routinely under surveillance from cops in cvilian clothes
(typically observing from conspicuously parked cars). Police presence in
demonstrations is also huge, often outnumbering protesters. In the suburbs
of Buenos Aires, where there are many assemblies as well, gangs of thugs
linked to the peronist political apparatus have often intimidated and/or
beat up assembly members.
I suspect that more turmoil lies ahead as the government fails to secure
IMF money and their economic program falls to pieces as the peso plumets to
new lows. The IMF of course, not recognizing any responsibility for the
Argentine crisis, is back in full force (they sent an 18 member delegation
for a week and a half) recommending more of the same crap. Unbelievably,
the government is still trying to comply....
Stay tuned, this story ain't over yet.
Alan
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