On the evening of the protest, a significant number of leftist demonstrators had initially gathered near the Argentine Congress to voice their opposition to ongoing labor reform discussions. As the majority of the participants began to disperse, a smaller group remained on Avenida Rivadavia, attempting to breach the barricades set up by authorities to prevent access close to the Congress premises. This led to tensions escalating as law enforcement took measures to control the situation.

The confrontation began around 4:30 PM when the protesters made attempts to tear down the barriers. The Gendarmerie initially responded by using water jets from water cannons which drove the demonstrators back temporarily; however, the protesters quickly regrouped and prepared for further opposition. As the atmosphere shifted and tension heightened, law enforcement escalated their response from water to tear gas, which was aimed at the demonstrators to disperse the crowd effectively.

The use of tear gas sparked a significant reaction from the protesters, who remained determined to confront the police presence. The situation underscored the increasingly volatile atmosphere around the labor reform debates in Argentina, reflecting broader societal tensions regarding governmental policies and public dissent. The incident not only illustrates the clash between security forces and activists but also raises questions about the state’s handling of civil protests in the face of controversial legislative changes.