Buenos Aires, Argentina — Hundreds of individuals over the weekend marched in cities throughout Argentina to protest President Javier Milei’s current remarks made on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos the place he linked homosexuality to pedophilia.
The “anti-fascist, anti-racist” demonstrations befell throughout Argentina, with a big focus gathering exterior authorities buildings within the capital Buenos Aires. Milei’s supporters responded by questioning the political motives behind the marches and stated his phrases have been taken out of context.
On a scorching-hot afternoon in Buenos Aires, as many as 80,000 folks — in response to estimates from town authorities — gathered close to Congress and marched towards the Casa Rosada, the official workplace of the president.
Chants of “We’re by no means going again within the closet!” might be heard all through the march, which along with Milei’s authorities, additionally took purpose at racism, fascism, and even Milei’s ties to United States billionaire Elon Musk. Protesters additionally held indicators that learn “Nunca Musk,” a play on the protest phrases related to previous human rights abuses in Argentina, “Nunca Más” (By no means Once more).
The protesters organized following a January 23 look by Milei on the assembly of enterprise leaders in Davos, Switzerland, the place he chided towards the LGBT group and falsely linked it to pedophilia.
“From these boards, the LGBT agenda is promoted, making an attempt to impose on us the concept that ladies are males and males are ladies simply because they understand themselves as such,” he stated within the speech.
“Not way back, a case made headlines worldwide about two American homosexuals who, underneath the banner of sexual range, have been sentenced to 100 years in jail for abusing and filming their adopted youngsters for greater than two years. I wish to be clear that once I say abuse, it isn’t a euphemism, as a result of in its most excessive varieties, gender ideology is plainly and easily baby abuse. They’re pedophiles, so I wish to know who endorses these behaviors,” he added.
Milei’s defenders argued on social media that his remarks linking homosexuality and gender ideology to pedophilia have been taken out of context, however the assertion seems verbatim within the official speech transcript from the Casa Rosada.
Protesters in Buenos Aires stated they got here out to counteract the president’s rhetoric which they are saying is each dishonest and harmful.
“The president’s appalling feedback should provoke some social response. It’s unacceptable for him to attend a world occasion and declare that homosexuality and baby abuse are linked,” Araí Fernández Bucci, one of many marchers, instructed Argentina Stories on the protest on Saturday. “It’s greater than dishonest — it’s monstrous, like every little thing he does. We are able to’t return 50 years. It’s immoral that an individual in his place can say something with out penalties.”
Fernández Bucci echoed a standard sentiment amongst protesters: that Milei’s authorities and rhetoric pose a risk to marginalized teams. “Every little thing has gotten worse over the previous yr. The president’s speeches are extraordinarily violent, and he all the time talks about destroying or exterminating those that don’t share his political ideology,” she stated, citing current circumstances of violence towards the lesbian group within the nation.
Saturday’s march was organized by LGBTQ+ organizations and supported by human rights teams, together with Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Moms of Plaza de Mayo). Some left-wing political events known as on their supporters to hitch however have been requested to remain behind the principle demonstration. Different politicians confirmed assist on social media, together with former Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Argentine artists Lali Espósito and María Becerra additionally participated.
“I got here as a result of I believe it is extremely necessary that we march as a society towards the rise of the far proper, which opposes particular person liberties and variety,” protester Maximiliano Fernández instructed Argentina Stories. “I’m very nervous about this case. Milei is selling a type of masculinity and relationships that threaten rights and freedoms.”
Cautioned Fernández Bucci, “Our society is full of people that really feel validated by the president’s speeches. They see them as encouragement to unleash the violent impulses they’ve all the time had. As a society, we should take to the streets to show them fallacious.”
Reactions from Milei’s base
Libertarian supporters of President Milei spent the week main as much as the march arguing his speech had been taken out of context, claiming he really helps range and solely rejects “gender ideology.”
Consultant Damián Arabia, a self-proclaimed “right-wing homosexual,” posted a prolonged message on X questioning “political events utilizing the sexuality of people for political acquire.” He additionally referenced circumstances of gender violence that the opposition had not denounced, together with the allegations towards former president Alberto Fernández from his former accomplice, Fabiola Yáñez.
Learn extra: Argentina’s former President Alberto Fernández accused of domestic violence
Different supporters really doubled down on Milei’s claims. After calling the connection in Milei’s speech a “coincidence,” libertarian lawmaker Lilia Lemoine posted a meme of a Computer virus labeled “progressivism” and “gender ideology” on the skin, with “pedophilia” hidden inside.
On Saturday afternoon, Milei’s political celebration, La Libertad Avanza, held a rally on the other finish of town, within the western Buenos Aires neighborhood of Villa Devoto, to recruit new celebration members. A number of hundred folks attended.
Requested for a message to the LGBT group, Milei said on X on Sunday, “It saddens me that they’ve been utilized by the rubbish from the State Celebration, utilizing an edited video, whereas the entire model of the message leaves no room for doubt.”
