Following the Executive Branch's failure to comply with the University Funding Law, the 5th Federal University March was called. Congress Square in Buenos Aires (CABA) served as the meeting point for citizens defending the public university system.
A stage was set up with its back to the National Congress, where a joint document—promoted by the Interuniversity National Council (CIN), the University Association (FUA), and teaching and non-teaching unions—was read aloud. The first to speak was Ricardo Gelpi, Rector of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), who stated: “It is moving to see so many people supporting national universities, defending our future and that of all Argentines.”
Gelpi was followed by Anselmo Torres, Vice President of the Interuniversity National Council (CIN) and Rector of the Río Negro University, and Franco Bartolacci, President of the CIN and Rector of the National University of Rosario (UNR).
The document highlighted the critical situation facing public universities for the third consecutive year, sharply criticizing the national government. “The national government's decision to strangle national universities has one of its hardest cores in the attack on the salaries and collective bargaining of teaching and non-teaching workers,” the text read.
They emphasized the consequences of this defunding: “The consequences are not limited to classrooms, workshops, or teaching laboratories: scientific research projects, extension activities in the territories, technological linkage with the socio-productive environment, and the acquisition and updating of equipment are directly affected. Most importantly, the real possibilities of ensuring that thousands of students fulfill their dream of graduating and obtaining a university degree are compromised.”
Furthermore, they pointed out that the 2027 Budget sent by the Casa Rosada for congressional review does not include the allocations required by the University Funding Law, nor does it provide for the recovery of accumulated losses in the university and scientific system.
Finally, tear gas released further back from the Congress began affecting the speakers, leading to a chaotic and violent closure of the event against the university community, who had to end the act to safeguard their physical integrity.
Marches in other parts of the country
As expected, the massive student march was also reflected in other key hubs across the country, where students took to the streets to defend their universities. In Mar del Plata, Rosario, Córdoba, Jujuy, Entre Ríos, Mendoza, and Salta, students were also protagonists in this historic day, as the student movement mobilizes in defense of their rights.
Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires.
Córdoba: The column advanced through Plaza España and Hipólito Yrigoyen to the central act in Dalmacio Vélez Sársfield Square.
