Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Andrew Dua

Questions Discussed in Thesis Who are the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo? Who are the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo? How did they form into a world wide organization? How did they form into a world wide organization? How many disappearances were there during the Dirty War? How many disappearances were there during the Dirty War?

Who Are the Mothers? Mothers of the disappeared people in Argentina Mothers of the disappeared people in Argentina Went against government to find answers about what happened to children Went against government to find answers about what happened to children Formed in time of military rule Formed in time of military rule

History Juan Per ó n exiled to Spain- places H é ctor C á mpora as candidate Juan Per ó n exiled to Spain- places H é ctor C á mpora as candidate H é ctor C á mpora wins election ( Justice Party) H é ctor C á mpora wins election ( Justice Party) –President from May 25, July 13, 1973 Juan Per ó n comes back to Juan Per ó n comes back to Argentina- 1973

History Pern wins election Pern wins election RCU leader Ricardo Balb í n and Juan Perón contemplated a Peronist- Radical joint government- opposition from both parties made this impossible RCU leader Ricardo Balb í n and Juan Perón contemplated a Peronist- Radical joint government- opposition from both parties made this impossible –Balb í n political party- Radical Civil Union (RCU) –Perón received 62% of votes- 3 rd presidency, places wife Isabel as Vice President Juan Per ó n dies July 1, Isabel assumes position Juan Per ó n dies July 1, Isabel assumes position

Overthrowing of Government Extreme Left/Extreme Right continues to fight Extreme Left/Extreme Right continues to fight The Triple A (Anti-communist Party) raises their protection against Montoneros (left wing- Peronist Guerilla Group) The Triple A (Anti-communist Party) raises their protection against Montoneros (left wing- Peronist Guerilla Group) Overthrows army garrison in Formosa, Argentina Overthrows army garrison in Formosa, Argentina

Overthrowing of Government Military takes complete control against Extreme leftists (Montoneros and People’s Revolutionary Army) Military takes complete control against Extreme leftists (Montoneros and People’s Revolutionary Army) –People’s Revolutionary Army- Military branch of the communist armed wing of the communist party military seizes entire country military seizes entire country –“annihilate subversives”

Overthrowing of Government 3 branches of armed forces unite against subversion 3 branches of armed forces unite against subversion End of 1976, many losses on both sides End of 1976, many losses on both sides Military continues to remove “subversives” Military continues to remove “subversives”

Mothers Department of Interior Ministry opens office to report disappearances Department of Interior Ministry opens office to report disappearances Parents of disappeared people begin to give information on loved ones Parents of disappeared people begin to give information on loved ones Department of Interior Ministry begins to hunt others who reported information initially Department of Interior Ministry begins to hunt others who reported information initially

Mothers April 30, Group of 14 mothers of those disappeared begins to march in Plaza de Mayo April 30, Group of 14 mothers of those disappeared begins to march in Plaza de Mayo Azucena de Villaflor Azucena de Villaflor –One of 1 st mothers who formed organization –Organized meetings in home, church, others’ homes –Suggested to march from Friday’s to Thursday’s

Mothers Every Thursday- march in front of Casa Rosada Every Thursday- march in front of Casa Rosada ( government building) - get attention of Videla ( government building) - get attention of Videla ( general/head of military) Religious ceremony in Luj á n – 1 st appearance of mothers wearing white headscarf around head (unification) Religious ceremony in Luj á n – 1 st appearance of mothers wearing white headscarf around head (unification)

Alfredo Astiz Aka Gustavo Ni ñ o, Á ngel Aka Gustavo Ni ñ o, Á ngel Spy for military Spy for military Plans attack against Mothers Plans attack against Mothers

Mothers December 8, attack against Mothers in Church of the Sacred Cross- led by Ni ñ o December 8, attack against Mothers in Church of the Sacred Cross- led by Ni ñ o Causes strain for organization Causes strain for organization December 16, government declares disappeared people “ subversive ” December 16, government declares disappeared people “ subversive ” –caused by mothers “ Las locas ”

Help for the Mothers World Cup World Cup International conference for cancer research International conference for cancer research –Brings publicity to Argentina –Certain groups speak/ march with Mothers

Mothers Official date of organization- August 22, 1979 Official date of organization- August 22, 1979 –President: Hebe de Bonafini –Vice President: María Adela Antokoletz,

Split of Organization la Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo – (original) la Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo – (original) –More political –Remember disappeared as revolutionary militants madres de Plaza de Mayo- Línea fundadora (new group) madres de Plaza de Mayo- Línea fundadora (new group) –Against centralized/ structure of leadership within Association –Recover human bodies/punish the guilty

New President Argentina in financial ruins Argentina in financial ruins Military decides to hold elections for new president- change morale of country Military decides to hold elections for new president- change morale of country Ra ú l Alfons í n wins election Ra ú l Alfons í n wins election –Promises to hold investigations for disappearances –Creates CONADEP ( investigation group to find answers about disappearances)

CONADEP Only recognizes 8, 960 cases of disappearances Only recognizes 8, 960 cases of disappearances –Not sufficient for Mothers/ Human right group –Publishes findings about disappearances in book Nunca M á s Constant arguments over CONADEP and Nunca Más

Mothers of Today creates own newspaper (opinions of Alfonsin’s government, debates of continual searching of disappearances) creates own newspaper (opinions of Alfonsin’s government, debates of continual searching of disappearances) Still march every Thursday- hope to find answers about disappearances Still march every Thursday- hope to find answers about disappearances Known throughout the world Known throughout the world Continue to pass knowledge of the atrocities in past- prevent future ignorances Continue to pass knowledge of the atrocities in past- prevent future ignorances

Conclusion Ordinary mothers that started their journey to find their disappeared children Ordinary mothers that started their journey to find their disappeared children Evolved during an oppressive/ dangerous government Evolved during an oppressive/ dangerous government Their stories inspire many Their stories inspire many