“The fairgrounders are saying things that are not,” they say from the municipality. The opinion of the stall holders near the Historical House.
A morning marked by tension was experienced in the vicinity of the Historic House, where book merchants reported the kidnapping of their merchandise by municipal employees, within the framework of the president’s arrival. Javier Milei to relaunch the postponed May Pact, which would be signed on July 9 in Tucumán.
Alberto Aguirrea member of the Book Fair committee, expressed his discontent and dismay at what had happened on Buen Día. “We found out that there was a municipal truck and several employees breaking the locks of the kiosks without any authorization,” he said, denouncing that the books were loaded onto the vehicle without prior notice or official documentation justifying such action.
According to Aguirre, the operation involved three employees of the Municipality, four from the Tucumán Provincial Police (PPC) and two individuals who presented themselves as municipal managers. “They began to break the locks of the kiosks and load all the books into the truck without any authorization. There was no paper saying that they were coming to kidnap, nothing,” he added.
The merchants, who have been offering their services in the historic area for more than three decades, are now seeking justice. “Now, unfortunately, we have to go to legal matters, to justice. We are going to file a criminal complaint, because I think that a kiosk, even if it is anywhere, is private property. The municipality cannot take powers and come to bursting kiosks and take out the books as if they were garbage,” Aguirre said.
The member of the Book Fair commission insisted that the space where they work was granted to them years ago by provincial intervention, at a time when the authorities recognized the cultural importance of the fair. “We have been here for 32 years and we have authorization to be here,” he explained.
The concern of merchants is not limited only to the loss of their merchandise. According to Aguirre, the operation not only took the books, but also caused material damage. “They broke a fan, they trampled everything. Who is responsible for all that damage? We want the mayor to take action on the matter and support us,” he declared, emphasizing that they will seek to hold the municipality and the waste collection company legally responsible. involved.
LA GACETA PHOTOS BY ANA LÍA JARAMILLO
Although, according to Aguirre, authorities have suggested that merchants can recover their books, the damage has already been done. “They told us that we can take down the books, but they have already dismantled them. We want to go legally and demand a fair response for the abuse we have suffered,” he concluded.
“Nobody took any position,” says the Municipality
After the problem with the stallholders, Carolina Oliverundersecretary of Institutional Relations of the municipality of the capital, provided statements to LA GACETA Central to clarify the municipality’s position regarding complaints from book dealers who claim that their products were seized without justification.
Oliver categorically denied that it was an eviction. “What was done today is part of a work that began two months ago, whose objective is to enhance the square next to the Historic House and the Plaza de los Congresales. This is a space that we want to revalue to make it more attractive, for both residents and tourists; and also to improve the working conditions of fairground vendors and booksellers,” he explained.
The official explained that the operation included a registration process for merchants and artisans who operate in the area. “We started the registry two months ago, and to date we have registered three booksellers, who were the only ones in a position to operate legally. The rest were abandoned and in poor condition, with accumulated material, wet and broken books, and garbage scattered everywhere,” he said.
Regarding the situation reported by the booksellers, Oliver was emphatic that the municipality acted in accordance with a plan established and communicated in advance. “We informed them that they had to clean their spaces, and today we proceeded to remove what was clearly garbage and debris. No private property was violated or locks were broken,” said the undersecretary.
LA GACETA PHOTOS BY ANA LÍA JARAMILLO
Controversy
One of the most controversial points was the presence of books in the municipality truck, which was interpreted by the booksellers as a kidnapping of their merchandise. Oliver clarified that the books removed were in poor condition and that nothing was ever removed from the merchants’ stalls. “Those books were wet, torn and exposed to the elements. Anyone who considers that they are their property and that they have some value can claim them without problems,” he declared.
The official stressed that the objective of the operation was to clean and improve the security of the area, since numerous complaints had been received about the poor condition of the area. “We are not here to violate rights, but to guarantee that this space is safe and dignified, both for workers and visitors,” she stressed.
Regarding registration, Oliver explained that clear and accessible criteria were established for all traders. “Fair vendors must present a photocopy of their ID, a health card, a certificate of repeat offenders and detail their commercial activity. This is a standard process that we apply at all the city’s fairs to keep a record and ensure the quality and legality of the activities,” he indicated.
The undersecretary also mentioned that registration is open and that any fairgrounder who wants to regularize their situation can do so. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to work in legal and safe conditions. We are not here to harm anyone, but to improve the situation for everyone,” she said.
Contrasting perspectives
While Oliver defended the intervention as a necessary action to enhance the value of the place, booksellers and other fair-goers expressed their discontent. They said they were not adequately informed and that their goods were treated in a derogatory manner. “We are not lying. This operation was carried out in an open and transparent manner, and is focused on improving the space for everyone,” concluded Oliver.
