(19 Mar 2009)
1. Wide of protest in front of Presidential palace
2. Various of relatives and friends of victims of violent crime at protest
3. Women holding banners calling for more security, banners read: (Spanish) "No More Insecurity"
4. Close-up of banner showing picture of victim of violence
5. Protesters applauding
6. Various of man holding banner with son's picture on
7. Close-up of banner calling for more security
8. Women holding banners calling for more security
9. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Mercedes Medina, Protester:
"Let's stop this, let's stop this because they have already broken my heart and made me sick. My God, let's stop this. What is happening right now has never happened before, my family and I have been nearly killed."
10. Protestors holding photos of victims of violence
11. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Ariel Gonzalez, Protester:
"We have to fight for the life of our children and friends. We are here in order to try to change things and so that those who are governing realise what is going on and do something urgently."
12. Wide of protesters holding banners with photos of victims of violence
STORYLINE:
Thousands of Argentines across the country protested against what they say is a rise in crime and demanded the government address the problem.
Protesters gathered in the historical place for demonstrations, the Plaza de Mayo, in front of the presidential residence in Buenos Aires, and also in other major cities across Argentina.
The protests follow a call by community organisations galvanised by a slew of murders that have dominated local media.
Crime rates have nearly doubled in the past two decades, and one in every 32 Argentines reported being a crime victim in 2007, according to the most recent statistics from the Justice Ministry.
Justice Minister Anibal Fernandez says the crime rates have levelled off in the past three years, but polls and media reflect a growing concern about a lack of security among Argentines.
They claim that the government is not giving enough attention to the violence and are not putting enough resources in dealing with the problem.
The protestors are calling for the government to intervene and support the justice system which has collapsed and cannot deal with the number of cases.
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