Argentina: Rubber bullets and tear gas against municipal workers

municipal worker Miguel Aranda

Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz, Argentina, May 9th
Municipal workers in Río Gallegos, capital city of Santa Cruz province and home of Argentine president Néstor Kirchner, were attacked by state police while marching to demand payment of a promised wage increase

The march on May 9th was entirely non-violent and was attempting to go to the provincal center of government to register their demands when they were attacked with tear gas, rubber bullets and according to some reports lead shot.

Twelve people were injured including Pedro Biott, secretary of the municipal workers union. Union and social movement spokespersons blame President Kirchner, former Governor of Santa Cruz and a "left" Peronist for both the economic policies and the violence

The attack is the latest in a series of repressive acts against the workers movement in Santa Cruz, including other police attacks on non-violent protests and clandestine firebomb attacks against union offices.

Breaking:
Reuters reports from Buenos Aires that President Kirchner forced Governor Carlos Sancho to resign Thursday.