Valparaiso, Chile – About six thousand people attended a march organized by Chilean students and trade unions Thursday that ended with police repression, sending at least 20 to the hospital for their injuries, one of which is in critical condition.
The demonstration was called to demand profound educational and employment reforms as the nation’s President Michelle Bachelet gave her annual address to the National Congress. A week ago today 150,000 people demonstrated in Santiago the nations capital and they we’re also brutally repressed by police actions.
The major incidents occurred around the seat of the Legislature, in the center of Valparaiso, where a group the Carabineros (militarized police) had set up barricades to block the advance of the protest. People tried to remove the barriers and police began with baton charges, water cannons and tear-gas to disperse the protesters who responded by throwing stones and objects at the police Special Forces.
Police reported that at least 28 people were detained, which were described by the police themselves as “minor” compared to other years.
Protesters with banners also recalled the death of students Exequiel Borvarán and Diego Guzman, who were shot last week by a subject after participating in a march in Valparaiso.
The critically injured student was identified as Rodrigo Aviles Bravo, 28. Mr Bravo received the strong impact from a Special Police Forces water-cannon truck on Pedro Montt Avenue. Witnesses said the student at the Catholic University of Santiago, fell and hit his head strongly.
The student was taken to the Carlos Van Buren Hospital in the port city, where he will be monitored in the ICU for head trauma.
Police are claiming that Aviles’s injury would have been accidental and that they are not under any liability for their actions.
[FOTO] Estudiante grave en #Valparaíso por golpe en la cabeza tras recibir chorro del carro lanza agua. #21deMayo pic.twitter.com/o063BNeHlD
— huelladigital.cl (@huella_digital) May 21, 2015
Likewise, it emerged that a 19yr old student of AIEP Valparaiso, Paulina Estay, was taken to the hospital after being hit by Special Forces on the sidewalk of Parque Italia TEC.
Paulina Estay 19 años estudiante que fue golpeada por escudo de FFEE se encuentra con estado reservado en Van Buren. pic.twitter.com/tmHDt7rlpt — Piensa Prensa (@PiensaPrensa) May 21, 2015
Raw Video
#Chile: Violent police repression during anti-government protests in #Valparaiso, earlier today. #ACAB pic.twitter.com/qi8Mu5fS8X
— th anonymous (@ori_no_co) May 21, 2015
#Chile: More than 20 injured by police during demonstration today in #Valparaiso. via @prensaopal #marcha21mayo pic.twitter.com/SGm4IQJh8a — ѕyndιcalιѕт (@syndicalisms) May 21, 2015
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