Do names etched in stone resonate more deeply than those whispered in history books? La toma del ’59 Plaque stands as a stark reminder of a tumultuous past. It marks a period of state-sponsored terrorism from 1969 to 1983. This was a dark chapter in Argentina’s history.
The La toma del ’59 Plaque is more than a marker. It’s a testament to resilience. It speaks to the struggle for memory and justice. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about Argentina’s past.
Engraved on the Monument to the Victims of State Terrorism are thousands of names. These are the people detained disappeared or murdered by state repression. The monument consists of four concrete stelae. They hold thirty thousand blocks of Patagonian porphyry stone. Around nine thousand blocks bear names. These names are arranged alphabetically and chronologically. The victim’s age is shown. Cases of pregnant women are also indicated.
The list on the La toma del ’59 Plaque was compiled using records from the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons CONADEP. It also includes names reported to authorities like the Human Rights Secretariat. The judiciary also provided names.
The period covered by the La toma del ’59 Plaque starts in 1969. It includes victims of popular uprisings in cities like Corrientes Rosario and Córdoba. It extends to 1983. It covers events like the Trelew Massacre in 1972 and the Ezeiza Massacre. It also includes the actions of the Triple A and the Independence Operation that started in Tucumán in 1975.
Although the period includes constitutional governments, a state of siege was imposed in November 1974. This suspended constitutional guarantees until democracy returned on December 10 1983.
The La toma del ’59 Plaque also acknowledges Argentine citizens who were victims of the Condor Plan. This was a coordinated repression among South American military dictatorships. It also includes foreign citizens murdered or disappeared in Argentina. Children abducted with their parents who died are listed. However children born in captivity or those who have recovered their identity are not included.
A public access database complements the monument. It provides information about the lives and disappearances or murders of those named. The database is updated regularly. It contains digital documentation like photos and newspaper articles.
The Research Area collaborates with organizations like the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo and the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team. They ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information on the La toma del ’59 Plaque. The Research Area also works with Art and Education areas. Together they create content for guided tours and educational activities. They aim to promote memory and understanding.
The Madres de Plaza de Mayo emerged in 1977. These mothers sought answers about their missing children during the dictatorship. They marched every Thursday at 3:30 pm around the May Pyramid. They demanded truth remembrance and justice. The Casa Rosada faces Plaza de Mayo. It was the scene of many important political moments.
La toma del ’59 Plaque stands as a stark reminder. It is of the human cost of political violence. It encourages reflection on the importance of safeguarding human rights. It reminds us of the need for a commitment to justice. It serves as a place of remembrance. It honors the victims of state terrorism. It ensures their stories are never forgotten.