Chile: A million people march peacefully in biggest mass demonstration

As many as a million Chilean people participated in a peaceful protest on October 25, in the capital of Santiago, which marked the biggest mass demonstration since the violence broke last week. The Chilean people are protesting to increase pressure on the government which is incapable of handling the economic turmoil arising due to entrenched inequality in South America. 

The peaceful Chilean protest

Huge masses of people marched carrying Chilean flags, blowing whistles, banging pots with spoons, dancing demanding for an economic and social change, walking miles down the streets of Chile and later converging at the Plaza Italia. People from all the strata of the society participated in the protest including students, workers, officials, and parents. The Mayor of the city exclaimed that all of Chile is marching. The mass demonstration also jammed the roads and streets. The truck drivers and taxi drivers also participated in the protest against the road tolls. The major avenues and public transport remained closed due to protest. 

READ:  Mexico Border: 5,400 Children Separated At Border By US Authorities

It was reported that several people headed back to their homes after a military curfew was imposed at 11 p.m. Karla Rubilar, who is the Governor of Santiago said that more than a million people participated in the peaceful protest which accounted for 5 percent of the country’s population. He also posted on Twitter, calling it a historic day, when entire Chile marched peacefully demanding a new Chile. 

READ: Friends & The Office To Go, Netflix Chill; Says It's An 'essential'

Protesters angry about social disparity and elite ruling

The protest in Chile is another flare-up in the South American nations. The people have their local concerns but are majorly angry about the social disparity and the ruling elite class which fails to fulfill the expectations of the people. The protest initially sparked due to the rise in the prices of public transport which were imposed last Friday. The sudden hikes in fare escalated the situation and it broke into violence, riots, and killings. The international media reported the killing of 17 people and several were injured. According to the reports, seven thousand people were arrested and Chile suffered a loss of $1.4 billion business. The state is under emergency with the Chilean military taking control of the safety and security of Santiago. There are 20,000 soldiers appointed to serve the night-time curfews. The decisions come after Chile suffered sudden and extreme violence.

READ: Report On Race Shows The South Is Still ‘divided By Design’

READ: South Korea Will Not Seek Special Status Given To Developing Countries