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The protesters are calling, among other things, for a renewal of the constitution, which dates back to the Pinochet era. A referendum is scheduled to be held next Sunday.
In Santiago, Chile, protesters set fire to La Asunción church on October 18, 2020.
(dpa)
On the anniversary of the violent protests against social inequality and the conservative government in Chile, at least two churches were burned in the capital Santiago de Chile. Photos from Sunday (local time) showed how the Parroquia de la Asunción tower collapsed because the structure of the building could no longer support the flames. It is one of the oldest churches in Santiago.
According to Chilean media reports, the Church of San Francisco de Borja, which is regularly used by the police for ceremonies, had also been set on fire. Thousands of protesters had initially gathered peacefully in Plaza Italia, some also called “Plaza de la Dignidad” (Place of Dignity). The police had planned a large-scale operation with a view to the anniversary of the social protests.
On the anniversary of the start of the anti-government demonstrations in October 2019, protesters storm the church of San Francisco de Borja.
In October and November 2019, thousands took to the streets in Chile every day to demand better access to healthcare and education, as well as a move away from the neoliberal economic system. More than 30 people died. The Chilean police had been criticized for their often brutal behavior. Recently, protests in the South American country had increased again. On October 25, Chileans will vote if they want a new constitution, this was one of the key demands of the protesters last year. The 1980 text comes from the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.
