David versus Goliath. At a press conference, the Peruvian Alliance Against Corruption, made up of various self-organized groups and spokespeople for Generation Z, announced the massive National March to be held this Saturday, June 6th, and Sunday, June 7th, demanding that the Peruvian government carry out “A great purge of corrupt officials,” “No to the AFPs (private pension funds),” “Close Congress,” and “They all must go.”
The confrontation of Generation Z against the corrupt apparatus that has permeated all the state’s oversight institutions, with an eye toward the General Elections, recalls the biblical battle between the young shepherd David and the Philistine giant Goliath, whom the shepherd cleverly defeated. Today’s struggle is non-violent, yet full of strength and joy!
The press conference, held in Plaza Francia (now Plaza Truko, in honor of rapper Eduardo Mauricio Ruiz Sáenz, who was killed during the protests), allowed the leaders to present their platform, which has motivated them to take to the streets in protest:
Corruption and Murder:
“Corruption in the country has permeated all institutions, has grown frenetically, and goes hand in hand with murders and deaths. This occurs in other countries, but not to the extreme seen in Peru. This is because we don’t have good authorities, since their only objective is to embezzle public funds” (Boyka Collective).
Ordinary justice doesn’t work:
“Our brothers and sisters from the south, from Puno and Cusco, have also joined the fight because they are not indifferent to the rampant crime happening nationwide. Lima is a lawless land; they are murdering us. That’s why our brothers and sisters from the south are waiting for the call from Generation Z, and they will come to Lima because this fight isn’t just for Lima; it’s nationwide. Our brothers and sisters from the Peasant Patrols have been denounced for taking justice into their own hands… because ordinary justice doesn’t work!” (Ama Sua Quella Llula Collective).
A problem that affects everyone:
“We are working not only with Generation Z but with all generations. With those who work against pro-crime laws, with our feminist sisters. We have a leader with a history of sexual harassment, and we can’t take that lightly. We have to work against it.” And it is also a call to all women, on November 25th, against gender violence, men and women have participated, because it is a problem that affects us all” (Escorpio Z Collective).
Unity Without Self-Promotion:
“The unity we propose is through an alliance. We all have leadership potential, but we also need to know how to be guided. That’s what we intend in Callao: for each of us to identify our own struggle and support that struggle, strengthening both our own and yours. We need to set aside self-promotion” (Callao Bloc Collective).
After the press conference, the social leaders urged the public to actively participate in the peaceful march this Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, in the districts of Miraflores and San Borja. “We have brought an alternative: that we all be leaders, united, rising up against corruption in alliance with all communities, Indigenous peoples, districts, and social fronts,” they concluded.
Here is the conference shared on social media:
Despernado Perú: https://www.youtube.com/live/XrHW1yjsafY?si=_OAleghOqc8vUgGu
William Soberón: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DAA81RA4e/
Ecos Latinos: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BvMYr8mNr/
Toma la calle TV: https://youtu.be/ASJd41Dh9Vo
