“Erased” with BIC pencil: this is how the controversial square that honors Pinochet in Linares appeared | National

The controversial monolith in honor of Augusto Pinochet, which is located in the north of Linares, in front of the Artillery School, suffered an intervention as a result of the overwhelming result of the Approval last Sunday.

During this friday dawned “scratched” by a blue BIC pencil, as can be seen in the image, of the same type that was required to vote in the constitutional plebiscite 6 days ago.

The stone, which is part of the “Plazoleta Capitán General Presidente de la República Augusto Pinochet Ugarte”, has been in the place since September 11, 1991, when the place was inaugurated. In its beginnings, its appearance was brown, but after repeated attacks – over the years – it was painted white.

This location has generated controversy, particularly in recent times, because in the midst of the social outbreak, In November of last year, the stone and some items in the square were vandalized with scratches against the dictator.

A year earlier, on September 11, 2018, the Pinochetistas from Linares gathered to celebrate the 1973 coup, in which act they sang the national anthem with the stanza allusive to the “brave soldiers”, the statement was heard of the Military Junta that announced the seizure of power that year and wreaths were placed on the monolith, added to speeches that commemorated the controversial date.

It is in this context that three years ago a petition emerged on the Change.org platform, which was digitally signed by 2,731 people, calling for the end of the questioned Pinochet plaza.

The citizen request was addressed to the then president Michelle Bachelet and the mayor of Linares, Mario Meza (RN), who to date continues to defend the name and has refused to change it.