Thousands protest to maintain pressure on Chile’s government
- A women’s march started off a day of demonstrations on a long weekend in the country, expanding later as tens of thousands swelled their ranks
- Santiago authorities said the protest in the city drew about 20,000 demonstrators, including many young people and families
Dressed in black, marching silently and raising one fist, around 1,000 women on Friday demanded justice for those killed and injured during the last two weeks of social unrest in Chile.
Their march started off a day of demonstrations on a long weekend in the country, expanding later as tens of thousands answered social media calls to match last Friday’s huge protest that attracted more than 1 million people.
Santiago authorities said the protest in the city drew about 20,000 demonstrators, including many young people and families. Isolated clashes broke out after security forces tried to disperse protesters with tear gas and water cannon.
“Justice, truth, no to impunity,” chanted the women marchers in front of the presidential palace in central Santiago, as their silent protest burst to life.
They held up signs paying tribute to the 20 people killed and more than 1,300 injured during the protests, according to statistics provided by the National Human Rights Institute (INDH).