The organization now well known as La Alameda originated as an asamblea of residents in the neighborhood of Parque Avellaneda, which was formed during the crisis and mobilizations of the public on December 19 and 20, 2001. This asamblea – a gathering of neighbors in order to solve the common problems of the community – was eventually called “20th of December.” Until June 2002, it operated outdoors in Avellaneda Park, and focused on dealing with the pressing problems of that moment: the hunger and unemployment that had become rampant since the economic crisis and currency devaluation that had gripped Argentina since 2001. During that period, unemployment reached as high as 25 percent, the government was paralyzed, and workers even occupied factories out of desperation to keep their jobs, even at the cost of violent confrontations with police who would come to evict them; the asamblea responded by forming a community canteen to feed the hungry and also various cultural activities to support those neighbors in need.
From June 8, 2002, the asamblea began to function inside a bar which it took over – a bar called La Alameda that had been abandoned and remained unused for four years. 3 It continued its service of providing food for local residents in need, reaching up to 160 people served at each meal, and obtained the support of the City of Buenos Aires for the food, and the legalization of the community kitchen as a project of the Ministry of Social Development. Yet the asamblea had to fight against attempted eviction, and had to continue its fight in the courts to win expropriation of the site for its use as a cultural and community center.
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