Protesters set fire to La Plata Municipal Building; 22 arrested

Protesters set fire to the La Plata Municipal Building in Argentina on Friday, escalating a demonstration against modifications to the city's public works bidding procedures. The incident, carried out by members of the Movimiento de Trabajadores Excluidos (MTE), resulted in extensive damage to the building, including broken windows and destroyed access doors. Local authorities reported 22 arrests and seven injuries.

The MTE, an organization founded by Juan Grabois, was protesting the new public bidding process for maintenance services such as ditch cleaning, recycling, and lawn mowing. The group sought to retain a direct contract worth approximately 90 million pesos monthly, a deal that had been in place since 2011. However, the city government, led by Mayor Julio Alak, stated that the MTE was not fulfilling its obligations and that the new public bidding process was necessary.

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The political organization destroyed the access doors, windows, and stained glass of the Salón Dorado and the Deliberative Council, in addition to assaulting neighbors present at an educational activity.

During the protest, which coincided with an event for the International Day of Prevention of Addictions attended by over 300 residents, demonstrators began throwing objects at the Municipal Building. One resident was injured by a piece of glass from a broken stained-glass window in the Salón Dorado. Six police officers were also injured. The municipal government condemned the violence, emphasizing its openness to dialogue but refusal to accept extortion or violent tactics.

The city government has filed a criminal complaint against the MTE for aggravated damage, injuries, and an attack on authority. They highlighted that the organization's continued direct contract, valued at over one billion pesos annually, was being challenged by a new public bidding procedure implemented in the past year.

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The municipal government of La Plata has always been open to dialogue, but will not accept any type of extortion or violent mechanisms.