Jump to content

Antimonumento 5J

Edit links
Coordinates: 20°40′34″N 103°20′50″W / 20.67611°N 103.34722°W / 20.67611; -103.34722
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Antimonumento 5J
The original anti-monument
Map
Location
LocationGuadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Coordinates20°40′34″N 103°20′50″W / 20.67611°N 103.34722°W / 20.67611; -103.34722
DesignerAnonymous demonstrators
TypeAntimonumento
MaterialSteel (original)
Rod and LED lights (replica)
Height3.4 m (11 ft) (original)
Around 2 m (6 ft 7 in) (replica)
WeightOver 300 kg (660 lb) (original)
Opening date5 June 2023 (2023-06-05) (original)
5 July 2023 (2023-07-05) (replica)
Dedicated toGiovanni López and those repressed during the protests related to his death
Dismantled date5 June 2023 (2023-06-05) (original)

The Antimonumento 5J is an antimonumento (anti-monument) installed in the Plaza de Armas of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Human rights groups erected the sculpture in front of the State Government Palace to commemorate the protests of 4, 5, and 6 June 2020, during which state police violently repressed demonstrators protesting the death of Giovanni López, who had died in police custody the previous month.

Human rights groups placed the artwork adjacent to Antimonumenta on 5 June 2023. It was never given an official name; it is known as Antimonumento 5J, Antimonumento 5 de Junio, or simply 5J. It features a red-painted number five placed above a letter "J". Hours later, at night, authorities removed the sculpture, citing that its placement was unauthorized. Although judges later ordered its reinstatement, the state government declined to comply, arguing that it posed public safety concerns. In response, human rights groups installed a smaller replica the following month, composed of LED lights and rods.

Background

[edit]
Main article: Death of Giovanni López
A colonial building.
The State Government Palace in 2014. The demonstrations occurred in the area.

During 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. According to reports, police detained him for allegedly not wearing a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico and for assaulting officers while resisting arrest. Giovanni's brother, Christian, recorded the arrest, capturing footage of officers verbally insulting his family as they placed Giovanni into a police van. Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, the state governor, had made the use of face masks mandatory.[1]

The following day, Christian contacted the municipal president, Eduardo Cervantes [es], who instructed them to pick Giovanni up at the local police station. There, officials informed Christian that Giovanni had been transferred to the Guadalajara Civil Hospital [es]; upon arrival, he was informed that Giovanni had died.[2] An autopsy later determined that he had died from blunt force trauma to the head and also had a gunshot wound in one of his legs.[1] According to the family, Cervantes offered them 200,000 Mexican pesos (US$9,136)[3] in exchange for not releasing the video of the arrest. They stated they refused the offer and were subsequently threatened with death if the footage was made public.[2][4]

On 25 May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis, United States. His death sparked widespread protests across the U.S. and internationally, including in Mexico, where concerns over police brutality were also longstanding.[5] Inspired by the similarities between Floyd’s case and that of his brother, Christian sent his video to the media on 1 June.[6] The footage went viral and triggered protests on 4 June in Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco.[1] Demonstrators gathered in the city's historic center, where they clashed with police and vandalized the State Government Palace. Police responded with tear gas and arrested 26 people.[4]

Alfaro, member of the Citizens' Movement party, blamed the unrest on political adversaries in the Federal Government and Mexico City Government [es], both led by the ruling National Regeneration Movement party) claiming they sought to destabilize his administration.[7] Alfaro also denied that Giovanni had been arrested for not wearing a face mask.[8] According to the official police report, the arrest was due to an "administrative offense" because he had allegedly acted aggressively toward officers while under the influence.[9]

The next day, demonstrators gathered to demand the release of individuals detained during the previous day's protest. During the mobilization, groups of plainclothes riot officers conducted arbitrary arrests. Witnesses reported that the officers used electric shocks and threatened to hand detainees over to cartels. While official sources reported 16 arrests, eyewitnesses estimated that at least 80 people were detained.[10] Alfaro claimed that some agents of the Jalisco State Prosecutor's Office had acted in collusion with organized crime and had disobeyed official orders. Authorities later announced that 11 agents had been arrested in connection with the abuses committed during the protest.[7]

On 6 June 2020, demonstrations continued in Guadalajara, with protesters demanding the release of those detained and clarification regarding the whereabouts of up to 38 individuals reported as forcibly disappeared. In response, Governor Alfaro issued a public apology and ordered the release of all detainees.[11][12] However, reports emerged that some detainees had been abandoned on the outskirts of the city the previous night.[13] The event was later dubbed the "Halconazo tapatío", referencing the 1971 massacre known as "El Halconazo", in which paramilitary groups without their uniforms arbitrarily assassinated protesters in Mexico City, combined with the regional term for "from Jalisco".[14]

History and installation

[edit]
A public square with colonial buildings
Plaza de Armas in 2021 (left). The Antimonumento 5J (not pictured) was installed adjacent to the Antimonumenta (lower left corner) opposite the State Government Palace.
A man unveils the sculpture, a big "5J"
The anti-monument during its installation in 2023

During a demonstration commemorating the "Halconazo tapatío" on 5 June 2023, various collectives placed an anti-monument in Plaza de Armas, opposite the State Government Palace, and next to the Antimonumenta, a—another anti-monument that symbolizes the demand for justice for women who suffer from violence in Mexico.[15][16]

The sculpture is a red metal structure that stands 3.4 m (11 ft) tall and weighs over 300 kg (660 lb).[15][17][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 who were repressed during the protests related to his death.[20] At the base 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 events, pointing out that disappearances and state impunity persist[.][a]

The collectives criticized both the FGR for declaring the events outside its jurisdiction and the CNDH for concluding that there were no cases of forced disappearance or torture. The collective #5deJunioMemoria said that Giovanni's case was not an isolated incident, but rather an example of systemic and widespread police brutality in Mexico. They also reported that since the event, authorities had taken no action in response to Alfaro's claim that organized crime had infiltrated the prosecutor's office.[21]

At 11:40 p.m. that same day, the plaza's lights were turned off, and a group of men arrived in a pickup truck. Using sledgehammers, they dismantled and removed the sculpture.[22] The following morning, Alfaro confirmed that he and Guadalajara's municipal president, Pablo Lemus Navarro, had ordered its removal, citing the lack of official authorization for its installation. Lemus stated that the government would return the sculpture if its owners formally requested it. The collectives behind the installation condemned the removal and described it as an unprecedented act of repression.[18] The sculpture was initially stored in a warehouse in Guadalajara and before being transferred to the Poncitlán Regional Civil Protection and Fire Department because of its dimensions.[23]

Replica and ordered reinstallation

[edit]
A "5J" sculpture made of rod and LED lights.
The replica on the day of its installment

The 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 anti-monument and other acts of repression carried out by the state authorities.[24] They also filed a complaint before the First Collegiate Court in Administrative Matters of Jalisco.[25] In July 2023, a judge issued an order for the suculpture's reinstallation. Additionally, the state's branch of the National Institute of Anthropology and History indicated that reinstalling the artwork would not pose any risks to historical heritage.[17]

Lemus stated that because there had been no official request for the anti-monument to be returned to its owner, the state would not release it. He added that once the application for reinstallation was submitted, consultations with state civil protection would determine whether it was safe to place the monument.[26] Days later, the Director of the State Unit of Civil Protection and Firefighters rejected the idea of reinstalling the sculpture. He raised concerns that there were no technical studies ensuring public safety, that the sculpture's foundation could pose a problem, and that, being made of steel, it could cause electrical issues due to the proximity of the Urban Electric Train System under the square.[27] As of July 2023, the authorities have yet to comply with the reinstatement orders.[28][29]

On 5 July 2023, the collectives installed a light replica; it is made of rods and LED lights. It stands one meter (3 ft 3 in) shorter than the original, weighs less, and is designed to be removable. The installation was part of their efforts to maintain the anti-monument's presence while dealing with the authorities' refusal to reinstall the original sculpture.[30][31]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 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]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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 his arrest]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  3. ^ "México: disturbios por muerte de joven detenido por policía" [Mexico: Riots over the death of a young man detained by the police]. Deutsche Welle (in Spanish). 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ a b Torres, Raúl (11 April 2024). "Jalisco: capturan a otro expolicía por asesinato de Giovanni López" [Jalisco: Another ex-cop arrested for the murder of Giovanni López]. El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ Torres, Raúl (13 June 2020). "Caso de Giovanni López, uno de tantos de brutalidad policiaca" [The case of Giovanni López, one of many instances of police brutality]. El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  10. ^ Ruiz, Josefina; Rojas, Dalia (5 June 2023). "A tres años, el halconazo tapatío continúa en la impunidad" [Three years later, the 'halconazo tapatío' remains in impunity]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Activistas denunciaron la desaparición de manifestaciones durante protestas por Giovanni López en Guadalajara" [Activists denounced the 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.
  12. ^ Ramírez, Anel (6 June 2020). "Por tercer día protestan en Jalisco exigiendo #JusticiaparaGiovanni" [For the third day, protests in Jalisco demanding #JusticeforGiovanni]. El Sol de México (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  13. ^ 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 forced disappearances?]. Universidad Iberoamericana (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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 the student repression]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  16. ^ Osorio, Enrique (5 June 2023). "Instalan antimonumento por 'Halconazo Tapatío'" [Anti-monument installed for 'Halconazo Tapatío']. Mural (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b G. Partida, Juan Carlos (20 July 2023). "Ordena juez resinstalación del Antimonumento 5J en Jalisco" [Judge orders reinstatement of the Antimonumento 5J in Jalisco]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  18. ^ a b G. Partida, Juan Carlos (6 June 2023). "Acepta Enrique Alfaro que ordenó retirar el antimonumento 5J" [Enrique Alfaro admits 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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", says Alfaro]. Milenio (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 June 2023.
  21. ^ Rodríguez, Lauro (6 June 2023). "Instalan antimonumento '5J' para no olvidar represión" ['5J' anti-monument installed to remember repression]. NTR Guadalajara (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  22. ^ 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 on the same day it was installed]. Milenio (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  23. ^ Ibal, Elizabeth (10 January 2024). "Juez volvió a ordenar reinstalación del Antimonumento 5J" [Judge orders the reinstallation of the Antimonumento 5J again]. El Occidental (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Denuncian ante ONU retiro de antimonumento de Halconazo Tapatío" [Removal of Halconazo Tapatío Anti-Monument Denounced to the UN]. Centro Prodh (in Spanish). 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  25. ^ Barragán, José (7 July 2023). "Ordenan reinstalación inmediata de Antimonumento 5J" [Immediate reinstallation of Antimonumento 5J ordered]. UDG TV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  26. ^ Ramírez Blanco, María (26 July 2023). "Guadalajara, sin notificación formal para reinstalar el antimonumento 5J" [Guadalajara, no formal notification to reinstall the Antimonumento 5J]. UDG TV (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ Rodríguez, Lauro (11 January 2024). "Guadalajara volvió a desacatar orden de reinstalar el antimonumento 5J" [Guadalajara again ignored order to reinstall the Antimonumento 5J]. El Diario NTR (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  29. ^ 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 relocates Antimonumento 5J to Poncitlán]. Informador.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  30. ^ Escamilla Ramírez, Héctor (5 July 2023). "Instalan un nuevo antimonumento del 5 de junio en Plaza de Armas" [A new Antimonumento 5J installed in Plaza de Armas]. Notisistema (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  31. ^ Toledo, Usi (5 July 2023). "Colocan nuevo antimonumento 5J, es ligero y movible para que autoridades no lo retiren" [A new Antimonumento 5J is installed; it is lightweight and to prevent authorities from removing it]. Milenio (in Spanish). Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antimonumento_5J&oldid=1289832365"