Iran Press/America: On Wednesday, the "Federal University March"—the second under President Javier Milei's administration—unfolded as demonstrators called on Congress to uphold the University Funding Law. Government sources indicate that the law may soon be vetoed, sparking outrage among the education community. This protest follows a similar one held on April 23rd, when proposed budget cuts were met with fierce opposition, a decision the government eventually reversed.
Nicolás, a student participating in the march, voiced his concerns: "We're here today to stand up for universities across Argentina. The government needs to understand the reality we're facing. It's unbelievable that someone like this is leading our country, but we will never stop fighting for what we believe is best for all Argentinians."
Political figures also joined the protest, with Facundo Manes, a renowned Argentine neuroscientist and national deputy, passionately defending public education. "Being here today is in my DNA. The president is attacking our identity. He talks about the economy nonstop, but what he doesn't grasp is that education is the backbone of the 21st-century economy," Manes said. "Today, society has drawn a line in the sand. We’re not just defending universities but also standing up for pensioners and the most vulnerable. The president’s decision to veto university funding shows a shocking short-sightedness. He’s undermining our future."
Víctor Morinigo, rector of the National University of San Luis and one of the key organizers of the march, expressed his gratitude for the widespread support: "It’s heartening to see society rally behind public universities, not just here in Buenos Aires but across every province. People understand how vital these institutions are. Public universities are transformative spaces—places where people come from humble beginnings and leave with opportunities. The president’s prejudice and ignorance about the role of the State explains this dangerous attempt to defund education."
Patricio Demucho, a recent university graduate, captured the urgency of the moment: "Governments in the past may have invested more or less in public education, but none have pursued a policy of destruction like this administration. What we are witnessing is an assault on the very foundations of our educational system."
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