Argentina: Massive March of Torches Against Price Hikes

Thousands of people took the streets of Mar del Plata, in what has been called The March of the Torches, to protest the price highs (called Tarifazos in Argentina) imposed by the Argentine government led by Mauricio Macri.

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The mobilization brought together the country's two workers unions, trade union leaders, leftist groups, and thousands of men and women of around 60 social and political groups, who marched against the increasing prices in public gas, electricity, water and transportation services.

La Marcha de las Antorchas (The March of the Torches) is the name that has been given to a series of protests happening in Argentina against the government and mainly its austerity measures.
 
In rejection of the latest increases in rates and public services, along with hundreds of candles and torches, protesters shouted slogans such as "No to the Tarifazo of the rich" or "Tarifazo = Hungry."

According to Pablo Moyano, the second in command of the Truckers union, the demonstration is driven by solidarity with "workers, retirees and many other sectors (that), no longer support the Tarifazos of this government and the loss of purchasing power."

As in previous opportunities, the march was called by professional, social, political and consumer groups who, since the beginning of January, have called for the repudiation of new price highs in Argentina.

The March of the Torches takes place every Thursday in January, the one in Mar del Plata was the third one that takes place since the national government announced at the end of 2018, new increases on the prices of electricity, gas, water and public transport. The first march took place in Buenos Aires, the second was held in the city of Santa Fe.