BUENOS AIRES – Thousands of Argentines took to f Buenos Aires Saturday in defense of hard-fought diversity advances and to denounce recent anti-”woke” pronouncements by President Javier Milei.
The colorful procession held aloft the rainbow flag and waved placards stating: “Not a step back” as it marched on the Plaza de Mayo square that houses the presidency.
The march was organized by women’s and LGBTQ rights groups with the backing of powerful trade unions and opposition politicians.
It was called in response to statements made by self-declared “anarcho-capitalist” Milei to the World Economic Forum in Davos in which he slammed “the mental virus of woke ideology.”
Milei had also spoken out against “radical feminism” and “gender ideology” — a term used by social conservatives opposed to gender inclusivity.
His administration insisted Milei was the victim of “malicious interpretation,” but his statements were met with indignation across Argentine society, including on the political right.
“That was a terrible thing, what the president said. It is not possible for someone in such an important position to say such things in public. I felt attacked,” 18-year-old protester Alicia Gonzalez, who said she was gay, told AFP.
Ricardo Buchet, a 71-year-old pensioner, said he was marching in “solidarity.”