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In red, covered with the Gay Pride flag; with the canvas of the “Approve”, with multiple graffiti or with their original colors. Those have been some of the “looks” that the monument to General Manuel Baquedano in the square that still bears his name.
Historically it has been a space for congregation and celebration, but Since October 18, 2019, he only knows of demonstrations related to the social revolt. And in the midst of them, several lament that an icon of Chilean history is being vandalized. That is why the Army has made its concern clear, raising the need to move the statue and “exhaust the measures to provide security.”
But from other paths Another conversation has already started: what or who should replace him.
And ideas are coming out. As the actor Daniel Alcaíno mentioned to this medium, one could celebrate “the Roto Chileno”; or the “Mapuche People”, as the journalist Alejandra Valle said, realizing the need to give recognition to native peoples.
The options are many, even the place could be vacant or be completely transformed. In fact, there is a project presented in 2015 that sought to turn the space into a pedestrian esplanade.
The truth is that, until now, a formal request has not been submitted to the Council of National Monuments to remove the statue of Baquedano. Although the Army would have a plan: move it in front of La Moneda or in front of the Bicentennial building. This was reported by the institution to the Ex-ante media, while to Publimetro they asserted that they are doing “a study to carry out a new formal proposal to relocate the monument to the hero that belongs to all Chileans.”
The Council, in any case, insisted that to evaluate a possible change, the technical secretariat “must analyze the background of the transfer and the place to which it intends to be taken”, and then, in plenary session, pronounce itself. You could start the discussion on Wednesday, October 28.
And it is not just any decision, there are multiple elements to weigh. For the same, On January 8, they already rejected a request from the Army to move the statue. On that occasion, unanimously by the 19 councilors, they decided to keep the monument in place. Regarding the conflict, Mayor Evelyn Matthei limited herself to maintaining that it is an issue that is in the hands of the Council, and that the municipality will abide by the decision it adopts.
From the Government, meanwhile, the Minister of Defense, Mario Desbordes, distanced himself from the spokesman Jaime Bellolio, ruling out that moving the symbol implies a “victory for the violent.”
As he said on Radio Infinita, there is a fundamental problem: “Whatever happens, that square fills up with people and there is no respect for the infrastructure, for the square, for Baquedano, and even less for the tomb that is in that place”.
Paint and repaint Baquedano
In the metropolitan quartermaster they do not surrender to the alterations that the controversial statue has faced.
While some scratches were missed in the past, now the slogan is to paint and repaint. Although they dye it red a thousand times.
As established by Law 17.288 on National Monuments, the maintenance of Public Monuments is the responsibility of the municipalities where they are located, while mayors and governors must ensure their good state of conservation.
Voices about Baquedano
“I would leave only the Diamond horse evoking the Unknown Soldier; that is, the Roto Chileno ”.
Daniel Alcaíno, actor and comedian.
“They should change it. It is good to rethink which people we are going to pay tribute to ”.
Alejandra Valle, Journalist.
“For no reason you have to move it. That would be surrendering at the feet of the violent. That never.”
Thomas Cox
“Why not move the statue and put Cacique Lautaro in the Plaza Dignidad?”
Maite Orsini, diputated Democratic Revolution.
“It is the opportunity to use Plaza Italia as a first symbol of a new Chile.”
Pablo Ortúzar
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