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“I don’t want what happened to me to happen to anyone else,” said LGBTIQ+ rights activist Pierina Nochetti today in front of the courts in Necochea, a coastal city in the province of Buenos Aires. 

Today at 11 a.m., the trial began against Pierina Nochetti for "aggravated damage" to public property, for painting a mural that read: "Where is Tehuel?". The mural was painted on February 11, 2022, during an LGBT Pride march, along with other activists, but she is the only one charged.

The trial took place in the Criminal and Penal Court No. 1 of Necochea, located on 87th and 6th streets. Outside, activists were present, among them Norma Nahuelcurá, the mother of Tehuel de la Torre, the trans boy who disappeared in 2021 and for whom Pierina was demanding answers.

In an interview with Presentes, Pierina's lawyer considered it good news: "The Municipality doesn't want to look bad in the eyes of the world." He added that the support of both Amnesty International and activists was key. 

“Today there were at least a hundred people demonstrating at the courthouse. That had a lot to do with it,” Arrospide said. 

"All my rights have been violated"

At the beginning of the hearing, prosecutor José Cipolletti reported that the municipality of Necochea, which filed the initial complaint, proposed attending a conciliation hearing at the Office of Alternative Conflict Resolution of the Province of Buenos Aires. 

Pierina accepted this proposal and emphasized the importance of scheduling this hearing as soon as possible. She said she is seeking redress for the harm she has suffered so far. 

“I’m so grateful that so many people think that everything they did to me is absurd, that everyone who works here is disgustingly classist,” Pierina said as she left the hearing. Norma Nahuelcurá was by her side.

“They have violated all my rights, even bringing me to a public trial. They will not silence me; we will continue to demand justice for Tehuel and support Norma. Our struggles are united,” Pierina continued.

Then, Tehuel's mother also took the microphone and said: “This is very unfair, we don't want this to happen to anyone. Just because of a phrase that says: where is Tehuel, who is my son and has disappeared.” 

The conciliation, without a date

Attorney Arrospide also addressed the activists and explained that the hearing had been adjourned for a conciliation session. He added that he will attempt to have the criminal charges against Pierina dropped. A date for the conciliation hearing has not yet been set.

“If possible, if we reach an agreement with the municipality, the criminal case will be dropped. And we will file an administrative appeal. Let's not forget that Pierina has an outstanding administrative penalty of 10 days' pay, which were already deducted but never refunded. The goal is to have both the criminal and administrative cases dismissed,” explained lawyer Arrospide. 

“ This criminal case seeks to criminalize LGBTI+ protest and activism, in a context where Pierina systematically faces discrimination because of her sexual orientation or gender expression,” explained Amnesty International, who are supporting this case in Necochea.

Pierina Nochetti is an artist, municipal worker, and LGBT rights activist in Necochea. In 2022, the persecution she had been subtly observing at work took concrete form when she was criminally charged for participating in the painting of a mural with the message “Where is Tehuel?”

The trial was initially scheduled for February 7, 2023, but after receiving a letter from Amnesty International, prosecutor José Luis Cipolletti, who is handling the case, suspended the hearing and requested a settlement. This is what happened this morning in the Necochea courthouse.