“A people with memory means democracy forever.” That’s the slogan emblazoned on this plaque. We stand before the Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque. It serves as a potent reminder of Argentina’s tumultuous past. It urges us to never forget the victims of forced disappearances.
The Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque embodies a commitment. It is a commitment to remember those who still await justice and truth. This plaque is more than bronze and stone. It represents a nation’s resolve to confront its history. It is a history marred by the horrors of the last military dictatorship.
The Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque’s slogan gained prominence in 2014. It was the rallying cry for the 38th anniversary of the civic-military coup. The Secretaría de Derechos Humanos de la Nación used it to call people to Plaza de Mayo. They marked a decade of reclaiming the ESMA as a memorial site.
The ESMA, or Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada, was a notorious naval school. During the dictatorship, it served as a clandestine detention center. Here, countless individuals were tortured and exterminated. The Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque stands in solidarity. It stands against such atrocities.
The day of commemoration saw a march to Plaza de Mayo. Human rights organizations and socio-political groups participated. They honored the National Day of Memory for Truth and Justice. Later, at the exESMA, the Casa por la Identidad de las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo was inaugurated. This further solidified the commitment to memory, truth, and justice.
In La Plata, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner inaugurated new university faculties. She also received an honorary doctorate. During the ceremony, she marked the site of the exBIM 3. It was another clandestine detention center. She unveiled a plaque with the slogan. The Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque served to remind everyone about the horrors of that time.
The President recounted a poignant memory. She remembered meeting Juan, a recovered grandson, with Néstor Kirchner. It was at the historic exESMA event in 2004. There, Néstor apologized for the state’s silence during years of democracy.
Cristina emphasized the importance of democracy. She said it was essential for developing values of social inclusion and dignity. She wanted an independent economy. She wanted a different homeland. The Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque embodies those values.
The Un Pueblo con Memoria es Democracia para Siempre Plaque is a message to future generations. It is a reminder to remain vigilant. It is a reminder to safeguard democracy. Let the stories etched in this plaque resonate within us. May they inspire us to build a future founded on truth, justice, and unwavering respect for human rights.