Thousands march in Uruguay to remember the disappeared
Every May 20, the streets of Montevideo fill with people participating in the "March of Silence." This year, the mobilization was especially significant because it marked the 50th anniversary of the assassinations of politicians Zelmar Michelini and Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz. Thousands of citizens gathered to demand truth and justice for the crimes that occurred during the last military dictatorship.
The march is a solemn event where participants walk in silence, carrying photographs of the people who disappeared between 1973 and 1985. The main objective of this gathering is to remember the victims and demand information about the whereabouts of the detained-disappeared. It is a moment of deep reflection for all of Uruguayan society.
On this occasion, a crowd walked through the main avenues of the capital. Among the attendees were government figures, relatives of the victims, and many young people who did not live through the dictatorship but support the cause. The large turnout demonstrates that the demand for human rights remains relevant and is shared by different generations.
The slogan "Never again" was the central message of the day. With this phrase, protesters express their desire that this type of state violence is not repeated in the future. The mobilization ended near the Memorial to the Disappeared, where the names of the victims were remembered in an atmosphere of respect and memory.
The March of Silence has established itself as one of the largest and most respected demonstrations in Uruguay. Although decades have passed since the end of the dictatorship, the search for truth continues to be a pending task for the country. This annual event reaffirms the commitment of the Uruguayan people to historical memory and justice.