Over a million people took to the streets in downtown Santiago
on 25 October, bringing a halt to major parts of the city to
demand that the reactionary Piñera government bring about
structural reforms in a South American nation known for its wealth,
but also its social inequality.
As night fell, and many left the rally to return home before an
emergency curfew kicked in, the scene turned violent. Authorities
began using teargas and water cannons upon demonstrators.
Indeed, president Sebastián Piñera had already
declared he was
at war with his people.
This mass demonstration followed
weeks of protests that began with high school student-led metro
station protests over an increase in public transport fares. But,
following the scrapping of the price hike, the rallies continued as
the makeup and demands of participants had broadened.
