An antimonumento was installed adjacent to Antimonumenta, in the Plaza de Armas, in front of the State Government Palace, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Human rights groups installed the sculpture to commemorate the protests of 4, 5, and 6 June 2020, when demonstrators were violently repressed by the state police while they were protesting the death of Giovanni López the previous month.
 The original anti-monument | |
 Location | |
| 20°40′34″N 103°20′50″W / 20.67611°N 103.34722°W | |
| Location | Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Designer | Anonymous demonstrators |
| Type | Antimonumento |
| Material | Steel (original) Rod and LED lights (replica) |
| Height | 3.4 m (11 ft) (original) Around 2 m (6 ft 7 in) (replica) |
| Weight | Over 300 kg (660 lb) (original) |
| Opening date | 5 June 2023 (original) 5 July 2023 (replica) |
| Dedicated to | Giovanni López and those repressed during the protests related to his death |
| Dismantled date | 5 June 2023 (original) |
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, at night, authorities removed the sculpture, citing that its placement was unauthorized. Subsequently, judges ordered the monument to be reinstalled, but the state evaded the order by claiming public safety reasons. The human rights groups installed a smaller replica the following month, made of LED lights and rods.
Background
editDuring 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 insulting his family while taking him alive into the police van. Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, the state governor, had made the use of face masks mandatory.[1]
His brother contacted the mayor, 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; when they inquired at the hospital, they were told he was dead.[2] Giovanni died of head trauma from a blunt object and had a gunshot wound in one leg.[1] The family complained to Cervantes, who offered them Mex$200,000 (US$9,136)[3] to keep the video from being published. According to the family, they refused the payment and were then told they would be killed if the video was made public.[2][4]
On 25 May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in the United States. His death sparked protests in and outside the country, including Mexico, due to persistent cases of police brutality.[5] After Floyd's murder and inspired by the similar circumstances in which his brother died, Christian sent his video to the media on 1 June.[6] The video went viral and sparked protests on 4 June in Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco.[1] 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.[4] Alfaro (elected under the Citizens' Movement party) attributed the protests to the Federal Government and the Mexico City Government (both led by the ruling National Regeneration Movement party), saying they sought to destabilize his government.[7] Alfaro added that Giovanni's arrest did not occur for not wearing a mask.[8] The police report indicated he was arrested due to an "administrative offense because he was aggressive with the security forces under the influence".[9]
The next day, demonstrators gathered to demand the release of the previous day's detainees. However, organized riot squads (not wearing their uniforms) began arbitrarily arresting the protesters; 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.[10] Alfaro claimed 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. According to the authorities, the state arrested 11 agents for their actions in the case.[7]
The following day, protesters again occupied the streets, calling for the agents to free the demonstrators and provide an explanation of the whereabouts of up to 38 detainees who were reported to have forcibly disappeared. Alfaro offered a public apology and ordered the release of all detainees,[11][12] though some of those detained had been abandoned on the edge of the city the previous night.[13] The event became known as the "Halconazo tapatío", referencing the 1971 massacre called "El Halconazo", in which paramilitary groups without their uniforms arbitrarily assassinated demonstrators in Mexico City, with the addition of the colloquial term for "in or from Jalisco".[14]
History and installation
editDuring 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 that was placed to symbolize the demand for justice for women who suffer from violence in the country.[15][16]
The sculpture is a red metal structure[15] that stands 3.4 m (11 ft) tall[17] and weighs more than 300 kg (660 lb).[18] It alludes to the 5 June protest through the inclusion of a number five above the letter J,[19] and it honors Giovanni and those repressed during the protests related to his death.[20] At the foot of the sculpture is 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 these facts, pointing out that disappearances and state impunity continue[.][a]
The collectives deplored both the FGR's declaration that such events were outside its jurisdiction and the CNDH's determination that no forced disappearances or torture had occurred. The collective #5deJunioMemoria said that Giovanni's case was not isolated and that 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.[21]
At 11:40 p.m. the same day, the lights in the plaza were turned off, and a group of men arrived in a pickup truck. They removed the sculpture with sledgehammers.[22] The following morning, Alfaro confirmed that he had ordered the removal of the monument, together with Pablo Lemus Navarro, the municipal president of Guadalajara, because there had been no permits for its installation. Lemus said that if the sculpture owners requested the monument, the government would return it to them. The collectives criticized the removal and described it as an unprecedented act of repression.[18] 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.[23]
Replica and ordered reinstallation
editThe 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 regarding the removal of the monument as well as other acts of repression by state authorities.[24] They also filed a complaint before the First Collegiate Court in Administrative Matters of Jalisco.[25] In July 2023, a judge mandated reinstallation. Additionally, the state's branch of the National Institute of Anthropology and History indicated that installing it would not cause any historical heritage issues.[17]
Lemus stated that since there had been no official request to deliver the monument to its owner, the state would not relinquish it, and that once the application for installation was submitted, he would consult with state civil protection to decide if it was safe to place.[26] 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 public safety, that there could be a problem in its foundation, and that (being made of steel) it could cause electric problems since the Urban Electric Train System passes under the square.[27] Since July 2023, the authorities have not complied with the reinstatement orders.[28][29]
On 5 July 2023, the collectives installed a light replica; it is made of rods and LED lights, is one meter (3 ft 3 in) shorter than the original, weighs less, and is removable.[30][31]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ 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".[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Giovanni López no fue detenido por no usar cubrebocas: Alfaro" [Giovanni López was not arrested for not wearing a mask: Alfaro]. Milenio (in Spanish). Mexico City. 4 June 2020. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ Torres, Raúl (13 June 2020). "Caso de Giovanni López, uno de tantos de brutalidad policiaca" [Giovanni López case, one of many cases of police brutality]. El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Barajas, Diana (6 June 2023). "No fue robado, autoridades retiran el antimonumento 5J; "está prohibido" asegura Alfaro" [It was not stolen; authorities remove Antimonumento 5J; "it is prohibited" assures Alfaro]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 June 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
External links
editMedia related to Antimonumento 5Junio Guadalajara, Jalisco at Wikimedia Commons