Antimonumento_5J

<i>Antimonumento 5J</i>

Antimonumento 5J

Anti-monument in Guadalajara, Mexico


An antimonumento was installed adjacent the Antimonumenta, in the Plaza de Armas, both opposite the State Government Palace, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The sculpture was installed by human rights groups commemorating the protests of 4, 5 and 6 June 2020, when demonstrators were repressed violently by the state police while they were protesting the death of Giovanni López the previous month.[1]

Quick Facts Location, Designer ...

The artwork was installed on 5 June 2023 and was never given an official name; it is known as Antimonumento 5J, Antimonumento 5 de Junio, or simply 5J. It features a number five placed above a letter J, both painted red. Hours later, during the night, authorities removed the sculpture citing that its placement was unauthorized. Subsequently, judges ordered the monument be reinstalled but the state refused for civil protection reasons. The installers placed a smaller replica the following month.

Background

During the night of 4 May 2020, Giovanni López (c.1990–4 or 5 May 2020), a bricklayer, was arrested outside his family's house in the municipality of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Jalisco, by police officers for allegedly not wearing a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico and assaulting officers while resisting arrest. Giovanni's brother, Christian, recorded the arrest, which shows the officers taking him alive in the police van while insulting his family. Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, the state governor, made the use of face masks mandatory.[2]

His brother contacted the municipal president, Eduardo Cervantes, who asked them to pick Giovanni up the next day at the police station. There they were informed that Giovanni had been transferred to the Guadalajara Civil Hospital where they were notified of his death.[3] Giovanni died of a head blunt trauma and had a gunshot in one leg.[2] The family complained to Cervantes who offered them Mex$200,000 (US$9,136)[4] to prevent the video from being published. According to the family, they refused the payment and received death threats if the video was made public.[3][5]

The State Government Palace in 2014. The demonstrations occurred in the area.

On 25 May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer in the United States. His death sparked protestes in and outside the country, including Mexico, due to the persistent cases of police brutality.[6] After Floyd's murder, and inspired by the similar circumstances in which his brother died, Christian sent the video to the media on 1 June.[7] The video became viral and protests sparked on 4 June in Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco.[2] Demonstrators took to the streets of the historic center of the city, where they vandalized the State Government Palace and clashed with police officers, who repressed the protest with tear gas and arrested 26 people.[5] Alfaro (elected under the Citizens' Movement party) attributed the protests to the Federal Government and the Mexico City Government (both governed by the ruling National Regeneration Movement party), saying they sought to destabilize his government.[8]

The next day, demonstrators gathered to demand the release of the detainees. However, riot groups without their uniforms began arresting the protesters arbitrarily; witnesses said they used electric shocks and threatened to hand them over to the cartels. Officially, 16 people were arrested, but witnesses reported at least 80 arrests.[9] Alfaro said that some agents of the prosecutor's office were colluding with organized crime groups and that the agents involved disobeyed orders and acted on their own. The state arrested 11 agents because of it, according to the authorities.[8]

The following day, protesters occupied the streets, calling for the agents to free the demonstrators and provide an explanation on the whereabouts of up to 38 detainees who were reported as forcibly disappeared. Alfaro offered a public apology and ordered the release of all detainees,[10][11] while some disappeared had been abandoned on the edge of the city the previous night.[12] The event was baptized as the "Halconazo tapatío" referencing the 1971 massacre called "El Halconazo", as paramilitary groups without uniforms arbitrarily assassinated demonstrators in Mexico City.[13]

History and installation

Plaza de Armas in 2021 (top). The Antimonumento 5J (not pictured) was installed adjacent to the Antimonumenta (lower left corner) opposite the State Government Palace. The anti-monument during its installation (bottom) in 2023.

During a demonstration commemorating the "Halconazo tapatío" on 5 June 2023, various collectives placed an anti-monument at the Plaza de Armas, on the opposite side of the State Government Palace and next to the Antimonumenta, another anti-monument placed to symbolize the demand for justice for women who suffer from violence in the country.[14][15]

The sculpture is a red metal piece[14] that stands 3.4 m (11 ft) tall[16] and weighs more than 300 kg (660 lb).[17] It alludes to the 5 June protest through the inclusion of a number five above the letter J.[1] At the foot of the sculpture, it includes an aluminum plaque with the following text translated from Spanish:

"Although the CNDH [National Human Rights Commission] and the FGR [Attorney General of Mexico] took over the case, the serious human rights violations have not been properly investigated, nor has the damage been repaired. We hold the government of Jalisco responsible for the facts, pointing out that disappearances and impunity in the state continue to exist".[lower-alpha 1]

The collectives regretted that the FGR declared itself incompetent in the event and the CNDH determined that there were no forced disappearances or torture cases. The collective #5deJunioMemoria said that Giovanni's case was not isolated and police brutality in the nation is systematic and widespread. They also reported that since the event, the authorities have not taken action following Alfaro's statement of infiltration by organized crime people.[18]

At 11:40 p.m. the same day, the lights in the plaza were turned off and a group of men arrived aboard a pickup truck. They removed the sculpture with sledgehammers.[19] The following morning, Alfaro confirmed that he had ordered the removal of the monument, together with Pablo Lemus Navarro [es], the municipal president of Guadalajara, because it lacked permits for its installation. Lemus said that if the sculpture owners requested it, the government would return it. The collectives criticized the removal and described it as an unprecedented act of repression.[17] The sculpture was stored in a warehouse in Guadalajara and later sent to the Poncitlán Regional Civil Protection and Fire Department because of its size.[20]

Replica and ordered reinstallation

The replica on the day of its installment

The collectives #5deJunioMemoria and the Centro de Justicia para la Paz y el Desarrollo filed a complaint with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for its removal as well as other acts of repression by state authorities.[21] They also filed a complaint before the First Collegiate Court in Administrative Matters of Jalisco.[22] A judge mandated the reinstallation in July 2023. Additionally, the state's branch of the National Institute of Anthropology and History indicated that there were no inconveniences for the historical heritage in the installation of the sculpture.[16]

Lemus stated that since there had been no official request, they would not return it and informed them that once the application for installation was submitted, he would consult with the state civil protection if it was safe to place.[23] Days later, the Director of the State Unit of Civil Protection and Firefighters rejected the reinstallation saying that there were no technical studies to ensure the population safety as it could generate a problem in its foundation and that being made of steel could generate electric problems since Line 3 of the Urban Electric Train System passes under the square.[24] Since July 2023, the authorities have not complied with the reinstatement orders.[25][26]

On 5 July 2023, the collectives installed a light replica; it is made of rods and LED lights, is one meter smaller than the original, and is lighter and removable.[27][28]

See also

Notes

  1. Original text in Spanish: "A pesar que la CNDH y la FGR atrajeron el caso, las graves violaciones a los derechos humanos no han sido debidamente investigadas, tampoco se ha reparado el daño. Responsabilizamos al gobierno de Jalisco por los hechos, apuntando que las desapariciones y la impunidad en el estado continúan".[14]

References

  1. Toledo, Usi (5 June 2023). "Instalan antimonumento tras tres años de represión de las autoridades en Guadalajara" [Anti-monument installed after three years of repression by authorities in Guadalajara]. Milenio (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  2. Agren, David (5 June 2020). "Death of man after face mask arrest shines light on Mexican police brutality". The Guardian. Mexico City. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  3. Martínez, Jorge (4 June 2020). "#JusticiaParaGiovanni: lo que se sabe del asesinato de Giovanni López tras arresto" [#JusticeForGiovanni: what is known about the murder of Giovanni López after arrest]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  4. "México: disturbios por muerte de joven detenido por policía" [Mexico: riots over death of young man detained by police]. Deutsche Welle (in Spanish). 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  5. Foster, Kendrick (13 August 2020). "How Mexico's 'Caso Giovanni' Sparked a Public Security Reckoning". Harvard International Review. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  6. "Protests in Guadalajara over the death of Giovanni Lopez". The Yucatan Times. 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  7. "The killing of George Floyd has sparked global soul-searching". The Economist. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  8. Torres, Raúl (11 April 2024). "Jalisco: capturan a otro expolicía por asesinato de Giovanni López" [Jalisco: another ex-cop arrested for murder of Giovanni López]. El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  9. Ruiz, Josefina; Rojas, Dalia (5 June 2023). "A tres años, el halconazo tapatío continúa en la impunidad" [Three years later, the 'halconazo' tapatío continues in impunity]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  10. "Activistas denunciaron la desaparición de manifestaciones durante protestas por Giovanni López en Guadalajara" [Activists denounced disappearance of demonstrations during protests for Giovanni López in Guadalajara]. Infobae. 6 June 2020. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  11. Ramírez, Anel (6 June 2020). "Por tercer día protestan en Jalisco exigiendo #JusticiaparaGiovanni" [For the third day they protest in Jalisco demanding #JusticeforGiovanni]. El Sol de México (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  12. Lobo Díaz, Fernanda; Ruiz Reyes, Jorge (8 June 2020). "#ANÁLISIS Detenciones en Jalisco: ¿Por qué sí son desapariciones forzadas?" [#ANALYSIS Detentions in Jalisco: Why are they enforced disappearances?]. Universidad Iberoamericana (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  13. Martín, Rubén (5 June 2021). "El Halconazo tapatío y las desapariciones forzadas" [The Halconazo tapatío and forced disappearances]. Informador.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  14. G. Partida, Juan Carlos (5 June 2023). "Instalan antimonumento en Guadalajara, a tres años de la represión estudiantil" [Anti-monument installed in Guadalajara, three years after student repression]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  15. Osorio, Enrique (5 June 2023). "Instalan antimonumento por 'Halconazo Tapatío'" [Anti-monument installed after 'Halconazo Tapatío']. Mural (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  16. G. Partida, Juan Carlos (20 July 2023). "Ordena juez resinstalación del Antimonumento 5J en Jalisco" [Judge orders reinstallement of the Antimonumento 5J in Jalisco]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  17. G. Partida, Juan Carlos (6 June 2023). "Acepta Enrique Alfaro que ordenó retirar el antimonumento 5J" [Enrique Alfaro accepts that he ordered the removal of the Antimonumento 5J]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  18. Rodríguez, Lauro (6 June 2023). "Instalan antimonumento '5J' para no olvidar represión" ['5J' anti-monument installed to not forget repression]. NTR Guadalajara (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  19. Torres Alfaro, Vicente (6 June 2023). "Roban antimonumento '5J' en pleno Centro de Guadalajara el mismo día que lo instalaron" ['5J' anti-monument stolen in downtown Guadalajara the same day it was installed]. Milenio (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  20. Ibal, Elizabeth (10 January 2024). "Juez volvió a ordenar reinstalación del Antimonumento 5J" [Judge orders again the reinstallation of the Antimonumento 5J]. El Occidental (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  21. "Denuncian ante ONU retiro de antimonumento de Halconazo Tapatío" [Halconazo Tapatío Anti-Monument Removal Denounced to the UN]. Centro Prodh (in Spanish). 16 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  22. Barragán, José (7 July 2023). "Ordenan reinstalación inmediata de Antimonumento 5J" [Immediate reinstallement of Antimonumento 5J ordered]. UDG TV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  23. Ramírez Blanco, María (26 July 2023). "Guadalajara, sin notificación formal para reinstalar el antimonumento 5J" [Guadalajara, without formal notification to reinstall the Antimonumento 5J]. UDG TV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  24. De León Meléndrez, Iván (30 July 2023). "Porque 'no hay estudio técnico', Protección Civil rechaza reinstalación del antimonumento 5J" [Because "there is no technical study", Civil Protection rejects reinstallation of Antimonumento 5J]. UDG TV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  25. Rodríguez, Lauro (11 January 2024). "Guadalajara volvió a desacatar orden de reinstalar el antimonumento 5J" [Guadalajara again disobeyed order to reinstall the Antimonumento 5J]. El Diario NTR (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  26. Díaz Muñoz, José (10 January 2024). "Pese a orden judicial de reinstalación, gobierno estatal traslada Antimonumento 5j a Poncitlán" [Despite court order for reinstatement, state government moves Antimonumento 5J to Poncitlán]. Informador.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  27. Escamilla Ramírez, Héctor (5 July 2023). "Instalan un nuevo antimonumento del 5 de junio en Plaza de Armas" [New Antimonumento 5J installed in Plaza de Armas]. Notisistema (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  28. Toledo, Usi (5 July 2023). "Colocan nuevo antimonumento 5J, es ligero y movible para que autoridades no lo retiren" [New Antimonumento 5J is placed, it is light and movable so that authorities do not remove it]. Milenio (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.

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