Thousands of people took the Plaza Italia in Santiago on the first anniversary of the protests in Chile

First by hundreds and then by thousands, the protesters arrived this Sunday at Plaza Italia in Santiago to commemorate the first anniversary of the start of social protests in Chile demanding greater social equality.

The groups of protesters began to arrive early and after noon they were Thousands of people gathered in this place that became the epicenter of the protests that broke out in Chile as of October 18, 2019.

There is expectation about the way in which what is expected to be a massive demonstration will end and that it takes place one week before the historic plebiscite that will consult Chileans whether or not to change the Constitution inherited from the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1990).

Although the Police guarded the place from early, As the number of protesters grew, the police officers were withdrawing from the symbolic square, renamed “Plaza Dignidad” in the heat of these demonstrations.

With posters, flags, masks to prevent the coronavirus and others to deal with tear gas, The first hours of the demonstration were lived as a citizen party, with isolated clashes with the police around the square.

“It is beautiful, very good and positive. They are pure good things from here for Chile in everything. We have to unite; the people of Chile have to unite and we have to believe that we can do things “, said to AFP Viviana Donoso, a 43-year-old protester, who along with a group of friends jumped to the rhythm of the drums that did not stop beating in the center of the square.

Stalls selling food, water, soft drinks and all the items traditionally sold in street demonstrations, such as goggles or bandanas, They also animated this great concentration, where several disguised characters also attended that have become a symbol in this year of protests, such as “Tía Pikachú” or “Corredinasaurio”.

For Víctor Hugo de la Fuente, journalist and director of the Chilean edition of The diplomatic world, the feeling that predominated in the first hours of the demonstration was joy “For the possibility of moving forward and achieving a more just and democratic Chile”, narrated to AFP.

Earlier, a group repainted the statue of the General Baquedano that dominates the square, as had already happened last Friday and after it was repainted by authorities. Daniel Jadue, the communist mayor of the Recoleta neighborhood, near Plaza Italia, was also shouted out.

Later, a fire and looting affected the institutional Church of Carabineros.

The square of “Approve”

One week after the historic plebiscite, agreed on November 15 by the political forces as one of the solutions to the social crisis after weeks of violence and a semi-paralyzed country, the demonstration also supported the option “I approve” in the plebiscite.

“We convened in order to be able to make visible what has been happening throughout this year and with the issue of the pandemic we have been more at home. This is the opportunity to say enough; we are here and we are going to vote ‘I approve’ “Paulina Villarroel, a 29-year-old psychologist, told AFP, who recognized herself as “excited” to see people united.

The government of the president Sebastian Piñera, strongly questioned since this crisis began, the most important in 30 years of democracy, called for the demonstration to be held peacefully and respecting health measures for the pandemic, that in Chile leaves 491,760 cases and 13,635 confirmed deaths.

In various sectors there is fear that the images of October 18, 2019 may be repeated, When, after a call to carry out evasions in the payment of the subway for students, the day ended in a night of fury, with a dozen railway stations burned, buildings attacked, looting of shops and violent clashes.

In the middle of the pandemic, the Police announced that it would deploy some 40,000 officers to protect security. Additionally, by maintaining the state of emergency, the military could also take to the streets. The curfew begins at 11:00 p.m. local time (02:00 GMT, Monday).

(With information from AFP)

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