Riots in Santiago and soldiers in the streets.
October 19, 2019 8:05 AM Subscribe
Santiago wakes up under martial law.
Chile, widely viewed as Latin America's most politically stable country, has been shaken up by what started as basically a flash-mob style Metro tourniquet jumping spree, as a protest by students against recent price hikes.
The government's heavy handed response, including launching tear gas bombs inside underground stations crowded with minors, and shooting protesters, set off riots which escalated last night with the burning of various Metro stations and a corporate building belonging the previously public but now privatized national electricity utility, which has been recently in the news for abusive charges.
Around 3 AM Saturday morning the government imposed a form of martial law on Santiago and some surrounding areas, effectively ceding control of the city to the military, which has wide latitude to restrict civil liberties and impose a curfew. So far, they haven't done anything egregious, but it's unsure what will happen if the civil unrest heats up again this afternoon and evening.
Chile, while one of the most prosperous countries in the region, is also one of the most unequal, and these protests are in part a reaction to the perceived injustice of the privatized healthcare and pension systems, the gross differences between public and private education and the high cost of student loans, and as a rejection of the current government, led by billionaire Sebastián Piñera and his cousin Andrés Chadwick, seen as being out of touch with lower income people.
The government's heavy handed response, including launching tear gas bombs inside underground stations crowded with minors, and shooting protesters, set off riots which escalated last night with the burning of various Metro stations and a corporate building belonging the previously public but now privatized national electricity utility, which has been recently in the news for abusive charges.
Around 3 AM Saturday morning the government imposed a form of martial law on Santiago and some surrounding areas, effectively ceding control of the city to the military, which has wide latitude to restrict civil liberties and impose a curfew. So far, they haven't done anything egregious, but it's unsure what will happen if the civil unrest heats up again this afternoon and evening.
Chile, while one of the most prosperous countries in the region, is also one of the most unequal, and these protests are in part a reaction to the perceived injustice of the privatized healthcare and pension systems, the gross differences between public and private education and the high cost of student loans, and as a rejection of the current government, led by billionaire Sebastián Piñera and his cousin Andrés Chadwick, seen as being out of touch with lower income people.
"..Santiago has seen a significant roll-out of riot police..."
I firmly believe that riot gear/police is named such not because they're used in response to a riot, they're used in order to create a riot.
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:56 AM on October 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
I firmly believe that riot gear/police is named such not because they're used in response to a riot, they're used in order to create a riot.
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:56 AM on October 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
Hong Kong, Ecuador, Lebanon, and now Chile. It seems like a lot.
posted by Bee'sWing at 8:56 AM on October 19, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by Bee'sWing at 8:56 AM on October 19, 2019 [10 favorites]
Also Haiti, Algeria, and Iraq
posted by The Whelk at 9:00 AM on October 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:00 AM on October 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
Catalonia
posted by lalochezia at 9:02 AM on October 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by lalochezia at 9:02 AM on October 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
London
posted by mrgroweler at 9:17 AM on October 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by mrgroweler at 9:17 AM on October 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
Dublin, Dundee, Humberside.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:33 AM on October 19, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 9:33 AM on October 19, 2019 [18 favorites]
Jakarta too. All year.
Big change is coming. Something. I don't know what. But I feel it in my bones, and it's coming.
posted by saysthis at 10:43 AM on October 19, 2019 [10 favorites]
Big change is coming. Something. I don't know what. But I feel it in my bones, and it's coming.
posted by saysthis at 10:43 AM on October 19, 2019 [10 favorites]
Big change is coming. Something. I don't know what. But I feel it in my bones, and it's coming.
Well, after the rest of the kids have been subjugated, the playground bullies eventually start to bully each other.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:07 AM on October 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
Well, after the rest of the kids have been subjugated, the playground bullies eventually start to bully each other.
posted by Thorzdad at 11:07 AM on October 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
There's tanks and soldiers with assault weapons in Plaza Italia, and they just suspended bus service in the whole city.
posted by signal at 12:07 PM on October 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by signal at 12:07 PM on October 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
Tanks! Fucking TANKS because young adults aren't paying subway fare. How is this appropriate?? How did we get here?
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:42 PM on October 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by FirstMateKate at 1:42 PM on October 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
Probably has more to do with buildings and subway stations set on fire.
Be safe Signal.
posted by sammyo at 1:49 PM on October 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Be safe Signal.
posted by sammyo at 1:49 PM on October 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Was just reading about the Socialist Party-sponsored marches protesting tram fare raises in Japan in 1906, which were forcibly suppressed by hundreds of police and cavalry. The more things change...
posted by huimangm at 2:31 PM on October 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by huimangm at 2:31 PM on October 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
Tanks! Fucking TANKS because young adults aren't paying subway fare. How is this appropriate?? How did we get here?
Let Friedman ring.
posted by jamjam at 2:32 PM on October 19, 2019 [19 favorites]
Let Friedman ring.
posted by jamjam at 2:32 PM on October 19, 2019 [19 favorites]
Again, because it is giving me horrid flashbacks to multiple, identical reports from Hong Kong: they fired tear gas, into an (enclosed) underground station, at minors.
Is there any police force anymore willing to pretend that riot cops are trained to dispel riots, rather than to assault innocents?
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 2:55 PM on October 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
Is there any police force anymore willing to pretend that riot cops are trained to dispel riots, rather than to assault innocents?
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 2:55 PM on October 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
Piñera's on TV, walking back the price hikes right now. Just 24 hours too late.
Also promising to study lowering medicine prices, etc.
posted by signal at 2:57 PM on October 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
Also promising to study lowering medicine prices, etc.
posted by signal at 2:57 PM on October 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
Just want to say after spending a little time reading more detailed coverage of this, I regret my dumb drive by direct action comment. This is obviously a scary situation and it was very disrespectful of me to say anything when I knew almost nothing about the situation.
posted by latkes at 8:14 PM on October 19, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by latkes at 8:14 PM on October 19, 2019 [4 favorites]
Thanks latkes. No worries tho. It's scary and I had a 2h phone conversation with my mom, and she's scared. People are scared. She feels the same way it felt when she was in high school, back in the early seventies. Till today I hadn't realized they spent 8 years. EIGHT. YEARS. with 22h-7h curfews. My sister and her husband took the kids out to their safe quiet community to take a walk around the block, banging pots with spoons.
My mom said the scariest thing to her was this feeling of polarization that's coming back. I just said I have no idea what to do about that either but that when a society rips apart, the fault often runs through families and communities and it's just really important to keep talking to each other even though we disagree.
She gets a lot of her "news" from a WhatsApp group of privileged, 2-3rd generation German expats. To them it's easier to believe in a socialist party conspiracy to burn down public transportation, because they own the private turnpike system, than to imagine the sustained abuse, exploitation and humiliation that working Chileans are sujected to. You burn things when you've nothing to win or lose anymore. People are losing the will to live, let alone be nice.
posted by ipsative at 1:27 AM on October 20, 2019 [19 favorites]
My mom said the scariest thing to her was this feeling of polarization that's coming back. I just said I have no idea what to do about that either but that when a society rips apart, the fault often runs through families and communities and it's just really important to keep talking to each other even though we disagree.
She gets a lot of her "news" from a WhatsApp group of privileged, 2-3rd generation German expats. To them it's easier to believe in a socialist party conspiracy to burn down public transportation, because they own the private turnpike system, than to imagine the sustained abuse, exploitation and humiliation that working Chileans are sujected to. You burn things when you've nothing to win or lose anymore. People are losing the will to live, let alone be nice.
posted by ipsative at 1:27 AM on October 20, 2019 [19 favorites]
"Probably has more to do with buildings and subway stations set on fire...."
And? Last time I checked tanks don't put out fires. The mentality that says if people are "bad" enough then military response to civilians is appropriate is like..such a part of the problem. These are people, many of them minors. They don't have artillery. They don't have specialized weapons. What's the tank for but to create more destruction? Is it okay to fire a tank at a crowd of people because they set a bus on fire? A tank was designed to protect the soldiers under heavy fire in killing zones. It's use is totally unwarranted here, they're just using it to cause terror amongst their own fucking citizens.
posted by FirstMateKate at 9:45 AM on October 20, 2019 [11 favorites]
And? Last time I checked tanks don't put out fires. The mentality that says if people are "bad" enough then military response to civilians is appropriate is like..such a part of the problem. These are people, many of them minors. They don't have artillery. They don't have specialized weapons. What's the tank for but to create more destruction? Is it okay to fire a tank at a crowd of people because they set a bus on fire? A tank was designed to protect the soldiers under heavy fire in killing zones. It's use is totally unwarranted here, they're just using it to cause terror amongst their own fucking citizens.
posted by FirstMateKate at 9:45 AM on October 20, 2019 [11 favorites]
I'm here on the coast in Vina del Mar and it's been very interesting talking to locals - every views it here in the lens of the 73 coup.
What is interesting to see is how the whatsapp groups (friend and profesional) share tons of information so fast, some fake articles, but also of the violence and destruction.
For me personally it's the first time I've ever been in a location that you "see on the news" with curfew, military in the street, and roads blocked with fires so it's almost impossible to travel.
Hopefully tonight will be more calm.
posted by aggienfo at 10:57 AM on October 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
What is interesting to see is how the whatsapp groups (friend and profesional) share tons of information so fast, some fake articles, but also of the violence and destruction.
For me personally it's the first time I've ever been in a location that you "see on the news" with curfew, military in the street, and roads blocked with fires so it's almost impossible to travel.
Hopefully tonight will be more calm.
posted by aggienfo at 10:57 AM on October 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
Some silver linings:
- Javier Iturriaga's (army general in charge during emergency) press conference yesterday (article & video@CNN Chile/Spanish) was already a great sign. He had a calm presence and explained the measures in pretty reasonable terms. He said 1) goal was for things to quiet down and for all civil rights to be back ASAP, ideally today. This was said emphatically & repeatedly. 2) The curfew is only the means to achieve clarity for political authorities to know what measures to take.
- Morning report & press conference with Iturriaga today, pretty much an explainer of the political system & role of the army with some more reassurances (we do not like this job, our job is protecting, not hurting ppl).
- Piñera appears maybe to have listened? There was the rollback, and today all 3 branches of government gave a joint press conference to signal their continued commitment to democracy. If he's smart he'll change cabinet. Interior Minister Chadwick needs to go.
Direct action works if it's well directed, imo. But you just don't know the cost till the very end (so far iirc 3 dead, 10 injured and over 750 detained, around 18 million frightened - and some $$$ I suppose). My sense/hope listening to my family (middle class, rather conservative, wary of politics) is that the message is coming through and transcending the usual, knee-jerk "that's no way to get attention" responses. It's taken a serious threat to peace for people to be heard. Lots of calls to dialogue and less technocratic, less authoritarian policymaking, involving civil society in decision making.
I'm aware I kind of err on the side of hope in these situations, but it seems to me that army leadership has, in the 20+y of my adult life, continuously showed they've learned their history lessons. I've also seen first-hand the army's training in community outreach and emergency services, infrastructure support during earthquakes and floods, that kind of thing.
Carabineros (police) on the other hand, somehow managed to project a much more trustworthy image throughout the 90s. Less so now, especially in the past 13 or so years of massive social movements/demos, and in particular due to their abusive treatment of Mapuche community members/leaders, and cover-up thereof.
But soldiers did injure 2ppl last night though, so I don't know.
posted by ipsative at 1:11 PM on October 20, 2019 [3 favorites]
- Javier Iturriaga's (army general in charge during emergency) press conference yesterday (article & video@CNN Chile/Spanish) was already a great sign. He had a calm presence and explained the measures in pretty reasonable terms. He said 1) goal was for things to quiet down and for all civil rights to be back ASAP, ideally today. This was said emphatically & repeatedly. 2) The curfew is only the means to achieve clarity for political authorities to know what measures to take.
- Morning report & press conference with Iturriaga today, pretty much an explainer of the political system & role of the army with some more reassurances (we do not like this job, our job is protecting, not hurting ppl).
- Piñera appears maybe to have listened? There was the rollback, and today all 3 branches of government gave a joint press conference to signal their continued commitment to democracy. If he's smart he'll change cabinet. Interior Minister Chadwick needs to go.
Direct action works if it's well directed, imo. But you just don't know the cost till the very end (so far iirc 3 dead, 10 injured and over 750 detained, around 18 million frightened - and some $$$ I suppose). My sense/hope listening to my family (middle class, rather conservative, wary of politics) is that the message is coming through and transcending the usual, knee-jerk "that's no way to get attention" responses. It's taken a serious threat to peace for people to be heard. Lots of calls to dialogue and less technocratic, less authoritarian policymaking, involving civil society in decision making.
I'm aware I kind of err on the side of hope in these situations, but it seems to me that army leadership has, in the 20+y of my adult life, continuously showed they've learned their history lessons. I've also seen first-hand the army's training in community outreach and emergency services, infrastructure support during earthquakes and floods, that kind of thing.
Carabineros (police) on the other hand, somehow managed to project a much more trustworthy image throughout the 90s. Less so now, especially in the past 13 or so years of massive social movements/demos, and in particular due to their abusive treatment of Mapuche community members/leaders, and cover-up thereof.
But soldiers did injure 2ppl last night though, so I don't know.
posted by ipsative at 1:11 PM on October 20, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's interesting to read another perspective, ipsative, because the people I've been following and reading think Iturriaga's statements have been a joke and today's press conference was useless because they announced nothing other than "we should (maybe) do better."
It doesn't help that there's a lot of people feeling abandoned because the looting continues but the only military/police action they've seen is in Plaza Italia which is where people are mostly just (rightfully) protesting.
posted by Memo at 1:28 PM on October 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
It doesn't help that there's a lot of people feeling abandoned because the looting continues but the only military/police action they've seen is in Plaza Italia which is where people are mostly just (rightfully) protesting.
posted by Memo at 1:28 PM on October 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
They announced another curfew tonight, starting at 7 pm, when it'll still be light out. It's ridiculous and a bad sign, it means they're scared and they
know last night's curfew, at 10, didn't work. I don't think this one will either.
They're making announcements about agreements, etc, treating this like a political problem, when it's a people being way past their limit for putting up with bullshit problem.
Don't see any quick solution to this.
I'm scared this will all result in a hard right law and order populist winning the next election, a la Bolsonaro.
posted by signal at 2:27 PM on October 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
know last night's curfew, at 10, didn't work. I don't think this one will either.
They're making announcements about agreements, etc, treating this like a political problem, when it's a people being way past their limit for putting up with bullshit problem.
Don't see any quick solution to this.
I'm scared this will all result in a hard right law and order populist winning the next election, a la Bolsonaro.
posted by signal at 2:27 PM on October 20, 2019 [5 favorites]
I thought it was probably about it being a Sunday and their hopes that Monday could be fairly tranquil so at least those who have to work (e.g. lunch ladies in schools) can do so in relative safety. Keeping people home as early as possible helps with that.
I'll start worrying if there's a curfew tomorrow. There are more national protests announced, the Student Unions Federation (CONFECH) is calling for one on Monday. Afaik it's duly announced but it may or may not get approval, I hope it's the former.
I also feel like it'd be pretty dumb to escalate too early, but you also kind of have to ride the wave or you miss it.
Signal, I hear what you're saying. I just fear I don't see any good alternatives other than trying to solve this problem politically. I do think there's been enough change in the Piñera-Bachelet decade to have at least some hope, but I guess that's where I show my own colours & experiential/privilege bias.
I also think that we're mostly in a state of collective, learned helplessness about civic/political engagement and action, just because as you say, the problems are so many and urgent, and change is so slow. The options aren't just "either vote or stop complaining" anymore, but we're still learning to reinterpret these alternatives as political actions as opposed to criminal ones: from downright terrorism (which this was *not*) to mass evasion and other, less conspicuous forms of disobedience, to community organizing...
Also, tons of memes going around mocking the "no es la forma" ("that's not the right way to protest") kneejerk response. This is new, people are talking about that in the media. A tiny nudge to the Overton window perhaps, but not nothing.
posted by ipsative at 4:28 PM on October 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'll start worrying if there's a curfew tomorrow. There are more national protests announced, the Student Unions Federation (CONFECH) is calling for one on Monday. Afaik it's duly announced but it may or may not get approval, I hope it's the former.
I also feel like it'd be pretty dumb to escalate too early, but you also kind of have to ride the wave or you miss it.
Signal, I hear what you're saying. I just fear I don't see any good alternatives other than trying to solve this problem politically. I do think there's been enough change in the Piñera-Bachelet decade to have at least some hope, but I guess that's where I show my own colours & experiential/privilege bias.
I also think that we're mostly in a state of collective, learned helplessness about civic/political engagement and action, just because as you say, the problems are so many and urgent, and change is so slow. The options aren't just "either vote or stop complaining" anymore, but we're still learning to reinterpret these alternatives as political actions as opposed to criminal ones: from downright terrorism (which this was *not*) to mass evasion and other, less conspicuous forms of disobedience, to community organizing...
Also, tons of memes going around mocking the "no es la forma" ("that's not the right way to protest") kneejerk response. This is new, people are talking about that in the media. A tiny nudge to the Overton window perhaps, but not nothing.
posted by ipsative at 4:28 PM on October 20, 2019 [1 favorite]
A friend recently posted to FB that there have been decades of peaceful protests, and they've had no effect. Starting to get a French Revolution vibe.
posted by signal at 6:15 PM on October 20, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by signal at 6:15 PM on October 20, 2019 [3 favorites]
My partner in Santiago sent me this infographic (reddit), which I think helped summarize for me -- as someone not in Chile -- the underlying issues, and why the subway fare hike was the last straw.
posted by lesser weasel at 1:36 AM on October 21, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by lesser weasel at 1:36 AM on October 21, 2019 [5 favorites]
Biked to work today. Streets are fairly quiet, much less people and cars than you'd expect, no traffic jams even though the Metro is 90% dead. Armed soldiers at Metro stations. Half of everything closed. The people I saw where in a sort of weekend mood, not work.
Me and one of my employees are the only people at the office space we share with 15 other people.
My other employee lives outside of Santiago and takes 2 buses to get here, I told him to work from home.
The president went on TV last night to say 'we are at war'. The general he put in charge of the city went on this morning to say 'I'm not at war with anybody'.
Feels like the president is sending not very subtle signals to the hard-right. Not sure about the military.
posted by signal at 8:27 AM on October 21, 2019 [8 favorites]
Me and one of my employees are the only people at the office space we share with 15 other people.
My other employee lives outside of Santiago and takes 2 buses to get here, I told him to work from home.
The president went on TV last night to say 'we are at war'. The general he put in charge of the city went on this morning to say 'I'm not at war with anybody'.
Feels like the president is sending not very subtle signals to the hard-right. Not sure about the military.
posted by signal at 8:27 AM on October 21, 2019 [8 favorites]
Those trying to get up to speed on this may find the Wikipedia articles (Spanish, English) helpful. (All usual Wikipedia-related caveats apply.)
posted by Not A Thing at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Not A Thing at 10:47 AM on October 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Financial Times
Inequality ignites the fires of unrest in ‘stable’ Chile
Something deep is happening in Chile,” said Marta Lagos, a pollster and political analyst in Santiago. A huge portion of Chile’s population felt left behind, she said.
“This is not just a bunch of violent kids, it’s much more than that. This is just the tip of the iceberg. That produces a very volatile situation that everyone was ignoring.”
Vice
Burned Bodies and Chaos on the Streets: Here's What's Happening with the Riots in Chile.
Demonstrations are taking place in all major cities.
There are reports that journalists are being targeted by the Miliary and videos I have seen show a lot of plain clothed cops / military with guns.
Statistics as of 21 Oct.
13 dead
2,151 detained
10,500 security services deployed
posted by adamvasco at 7:06 PM on October 21, 2019 [5 favorites]
Inequality ignites the fires of unrest in ‘stable’ Chile
Something deep is happening in Chile,” said Marta Lagos, a pollster and political analyst in Santiago. A huge portion of Chile’s population felt left behind, she said.
“This is not just a bunch of violent kids, it’s much more than that. This is just the tip of the iceberg. That produces a very volatile situation that everyone was ignoring.”
Vice
Burned Bodies and Chaos on the Streets: Here's What's Happening with the Riots in Chile.
Demonstrations are taking place in all major cities.
There are reports that journalists are being targeted by the Miliary and videos I have seen show a lot of plain clothed cops / military with guns.
Statistics as of 21 Oct.
13 dead
2,151 detained
10,500 security services deployed
posted by adamvasco at 7:06 PM on October 21, 2019 [5 favorites]
Oh fuck. So much for hoping.
The kids are fearless. They're going out and burning down supermarket chains, drugstore chains, targeting the big corporations. The government is spreading disinformation (claims of burned hospitals, suspiciously low casualty counts, a "leaked" audio by the first lady) going full right wing dictator on us.
We're not going to forget this. Once is a fluke, twice is pretty damning evidence that the right cannot rule without a coup, they cannot rule a free people.
posted by ipsative at 7:51 PM on October 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
The kids are fearless. They're going out and burning down supermarket chains, drugstore chains, targeting the big corporations. The government is spreading disinformation (claims of burned hospitals, suspiciously low casualty counts, a "leaked" audio by the first lady) going full right wing dictator on us.
We're not going to forget this. Once is a fluke, twice is pretty damning evidence that the right cannot rule without a coup, they cannot rule a free people.
posted by ipsative at 7:51 PM on October 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
Yeah Memo, no. I'm not there right now and as mentioned upthread, my family (whom I've been in contact with) is absolutely not engaging in any protests & fairly sheltered as it is already.
The most disturbing thing is the quickly rising casualty numbers, but right up there is the evident (mis)communication strategy the government is using. It makes me glad to know the Spanish curriculum has changed since my days and kids are being taught about mass media and discourse.
So many people are fighting so hard and so well, with ideas and ingenuity, and yet mass media has so much power in our heads - they talk about terrorism, "a foreign invasion", "a powerful enemy" (!)-- but it's just us!! The government, echoing all over the media, has declared a war against the people. We're just an empowered, united civil society. If they call us the enemy the THEY'RE the ones on the wrong side.
My different perspective is, I guess, my privileged distance and position, the fact that I have a fine situation in a stable country and enough time to imagine better futures. I left Chile happy to leave that kind of precarity and humiliation, which is served with a full side of guilt for all that that I owe to God and fatherland. That broke me and I'm still pretty broken about it.
This is bringing it all back though. The kids are burning down the system and I can't believe their strength and their courage, and I'm so proud and so grateful, and they are the ones actually giving me something for nothing. Like, yes, finally, this is a country I can own.
I owe my present state of excellent mental health to Germany and Canada. I'm not easy to humilliate anymore. So if I were home now, I could actually contribute with direct action, punching facho ladies of all ages in the face when they talk their talk. It would also be pretty therapeutic.
posted by ipsative at 8:30 PM on October 21, 2019 [6 favorites]
The most disturbing thing is the quickly rising casualty numbers, but right up there is the evident (mis)communication strategy the government is using. It makes me glad to know the Spanish curriculum has changed since my days and kids are being taught about mass media and discourse.
So many people are fighting so hard and so well, with ideas and ingenuity, and yet mass media has so much power in our heads - they talk about terrorism, "a foreign invasion", "a powerful enemy" (!)-- but it's just us!! The government, echoing all over the media, has declared a war against the people. We're just an empowered, united civil society. If they call us the enemy the THEY'RE the ones on the wrong side.
My different perspective is, I guess, my privileged distance and position, the fact that I have a fine situation in a stable country and enough time to imagine better futures. I left Chile happy to leave that kind of precarity and humiliation, which is served with a full side of guilt for all that that I owe to God and fatherland. That broke me and I'm still pretty broken about it.
This is bringing it all back though. The kids are burning down the system and I can't believe their strength and their courage, and I'm so proud and so grateful, and they are the ones actually giving me something for nothing. Like, yes, finally, this is a country I can own.
I owe my present state of excellent mental health to Germany and Canada. I'm not easy to humilliate anymore. So if I were home now, I could actually contribute with direct action, punching facho ladies of all ages in the face when they talk their talk. It would also be pretty therapeutic.
posted by ipsative at 8:30 PM on October 21, 2019 [6 favorites]
Also: A few credible videos that show police starting fires (twitter video link, google drive)
posted by ipsative at 9:12 PM on October 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by ipsative at 9:12 PM on October 21, 2019 [2 favorites]
Thank you to everyone who's posted links and thoughtful comments. I've found this NY Times article to give good background for someone just starting to read about this.
As someone who's currently living in South America, I find a lot of the initial comments to be disheartening. It's easy to make snide remarks and jokes when you live far away in the safety of a a more stable country. No judgment: just know that it's very hard to imagine what this is like until you've really lived here, ya know? signal, I hope you stay safe; same for your family and friends, ipsative, and all others MeFites or with connections to Chile.
posted by smorgasbord at 9:35 PM on October 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
As someone who's currently living in South America, I find a lot of the initial comments to be disheartening. It's easy to make snide remarks and jokes when you live far away in the safety of a a more stable country. No judgment: just know that it's very hard to imagine what this is like until you've really lived here, ya know? signal, I hope you stay safe; same for your family and friends, ipsative, and all others MeFites or with connections to Chile.
posted by smorgasbord at 9:35 PM on October 21, 2019 [3 favorites]
Big change is coming.
@interfluidity: "sleeping through 1848."*
posted by kliuless at 6:14 AM on October 22, 2019
@interfluidity: "sleeping through 1848."*
posted by kliuless at 6:14 AM on October 22, 2019
Piñera's on TV now offering a lot of actual concessions, guaranteed minimum wage, pension support, etc. Seems like the squeaky wheel got the grease.
We'll see.
There's still a curfew on tonight.
posted by signal at 5:47 PM on October 22, 2019 [7 favorites]
We'll see.
There's still a curfew on tonight.
posted by signal at 5:47 PM on October 22, 2019 [7 favorites]
Thanks for reporting, signal. I'll watch some news now I'm back from work.
My sister just said today Andronico Luksik (our top billionaire) announced a company-wide raise of the mimimum wage to 500.000 pesos. At this point that feels like the bare minimum, though, forget the 30 pesos.
posted by ipsative at 7:05 PM on October 22, 2019
My sister just said today Andronico Luksik (our top billionaire) announced a company-wide raise of the mimimum wage to 500.000 pesos. At this point that feels like the bare minimum, though, forget the 30 pesos.
posted by ipsative at 7:05 PM on October 22, 2019
History repeats itself. Where is the International condemnation?
The National Institute of Human Rights in Chile (INDH) has confirmed that they have received cases of possible torture at the hands of the authorities.
posted by adamvasco at 11:03 AM on October 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
The National Institute of Human Rights in Chile (INDH) has confirmed that they have received cases of possible torture at the hands of the authorities.
posted by adamvasco at 11:03 AM on October 23, 2019 [1 favorite]
Dodging Tear Gas and Debt, a Family Struggles in Santiago.
The neoliberal model is in crisis throughout the region.
“It’s Not About 30 Pesos, It’s About 30 Years”
Mervyn King, former governor of the Bank of England in a lecture given at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund — a chief architect of the neoliberal project — bemoaned the lack of new departures in the field of economic policy. “No one can doubt that we are once more living through a period of political turmoil,” he noted. “But there has been no comparable questioning of the basic ideas underpinning economic policy.”
posted by adamvasco at 10:55 AM on October 25, 2019
The neoliberal model is in crisis throughout the region.
“It’s Not About 30 Pesos, It’s About 30 Years”
Mervyn King, former governor of the Bank of England in a lecture given at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund — a chief architect of the neoliberal project — bemoaned the lack of new departures in the field of economic policy. “No one can doubt that we are once more living through a period of political turmoil,” he noted. “But there has been no comparable questioning of the basic ideas underpinning economic policy.”
posted by adamvasco at 10:55 AM on October 25, 2019
We just had the largest protest in Chile's history, 1.2 Million People in downtown Santiago in a peaceful, musical, joyous celebration of change. Hundreds of thousands gathered in other cities.
We're just 18M Chilenos total, this is equivalent to 20 million people gathering in the National Mall to demand Trump step down.
posted by signal at 6:07 PM on October 25, 2019 [9 favorites]
We're just 18M Chilenos total, this is equivalent to 20 million people gathering in the National Mall to demand Trump step down.
posted by signal at 6:07 PM on October 25, 2019 [9 favorites]
Piñera just announced he's changing his entire cabinet of ministers and revoking martial law and curfews, though so far he's ignoring the call for his dismissal and a new constitution.
posted by signal at 8:02 AM on October 26, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by signal at 8:02 AM on October 26, 2019 [3 favorites]
Whitewashing Neoliberal Repression in Chile and Ecuador
posted by Memo at 11:04 AM on October 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Memo at 11:04 AM on October 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
Another amazing photo (and a few more in the thread)
posted by Kattullus at 4:03 PM on October 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Kattullus at 4:03 PM on October 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
That historic foto is by @su_hidalgo
The top flag is the flag of the Mapuche people
The foto is becoming iconic.
posted by adamvasco at 4:15 PM on October 26, 2019 [4 favorites]
The top flag is the flag of the Mapuche people
The foto is becoming iconic.
posted by adamvasco at 4:15 PM on October 26, 2019 [4 favorites]
@cesifoti: "Archive with thousands of videos from Chile from this last week. Great job by @carnby!!" https://users.dcc.uchile.cl/~egraells/estopasaenchile/
also btw...
chilecracia.org - @cesifoti: "We see a group of 'winning' proposals such as 'Minimum Pension,' 'Universal Insurance,' 'Tax Progressivity,' and 'Jail for Tax Crimes,' etc... The #chilecracia ranking algorithms try to estimate the highest priority proposals using the structure of this network. The network reflects the complexity of our current situation."
posted by kliuless at 12:12 AM on October 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
also btw...
chilecracia.org - @cesifoti: "We see a group of 'winning' proposals such as 'Minimum Pension,' 'Universal Insurance,' 'Tax Progressivity,' and 'Jail for Tax Crimes,' etc... The #chilecracia ranking algorithms try to estimate the highest priority proposals using the structure of this network. The network reflects the complexity of our current situation."
posted by kliuless at 12:12 AM on October 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
Call for help!!
Please MeMail me if you can help me set up a Greenstone3 digital library in an Ubuntu 16.04 server, and/or can help me archive videos, tweets &ct. A Twitter user @feminacha has a Google Drive full of videos I wanted to help her organize but I'm away from (LIS) school atm, pretty isolated (literally on an island) and clealy not up to the technical challenge.
Thanks in advance!
posted by ipsative at 11:58 AM on October 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
Please MeMail me if you can help me set up a Greenstone3 digital library in an Ubuntu 16.04 server, and/or can help me archive videos, tweets &ct. A Twitter user @feminacha has a Google Drive full of videos I wanted to help her organize but I'm away from (LIS) school atm, pretty isolated (literally on an island) and clealy not up to the technical challenge.
Thanks in advance!
posted by ipsative at 11:58 AM on October 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
This lacks context, so so sorry: It looks like the current gov strategy (who met with mass media reps end of this week) is let's move forward, we are humbled and we listened, let's move on. Literally, rightwing figures going out to paint over all the graffiti and "start afresh". We're doubling down now and the new goal is #Constitucion2020 - Chile needs a new constitution.
It reeks of 1990's amnesty laws, like they're replaying 1970-2000 but in ff. We're currently at 1991, so to speak, when all the right could say is "Kumbaya let's forget, tomorrow's a new day" and it took another 10 years to figure out exactly how many had been killed & tortured.
Pls help me archive as much as possible before it's gone from the internet!!!
posted by ipsative at 12:05 PM on October 27, 2019
It reeks of 1990's amnesty laws, like they're replaying 1970-2000 but in ff. We're currently at 1991, so to speak, when all the right could say is "Kumbaya let's forget, tomorrow's a new day" and it took another 10 years to figure out exactly how many had been killed & tortured.
Pls help me archive as much as possible before it's gone from the internet!!!
posted by ipsative at 12:05 PM on October 27, 2019
It looks like the current gov strategy (who met with mass media reps end of this week) is let's move forward, we are humbled and we listened, let's move on.
This article (in Spanish) is a really good summary of the strategy the government is using.
posted by Memo at 1:57 PM on October 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
This article (in Spanish) is a really good summary of the strategy the government is using.
posted by Memo at 1:57 PM on October 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
There's 2 de facto anthems of the October Revolution*:
El derecho de vivir en paz, by Victor Jara, a political folk singer form the 60s and 70s who was imprisoned, tortured, including having both hands' bones broken with rifle butts, and murdered shortly after the '73 coup. A bunch of Chilean musicians recently recorded an updated version.
El baile de los que sobran, by the Chilean post-punk band Los Prisioneros, recorded at the end of Pinochet's dictatorship which talks about the lies sold to the lower and middle classes and their lack of prospects. It was recently sung by 1.2 million people.
posted by signal at 6:54 PM on October 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
El derecho de vivir en paz, by Victor Jara, a political folk singer form the 60s and 70s who was imprisoned, tortured, including having both hands' bones broken with rifle butts, and murdered shortly after the '73 coup. A bunch of Chilean musicians recently recorded an updated version.
El baile de los que sobran, by the Chilean post-punk band Los Prisioneros, recorded at the end of Pinochet's dictatorship which talks about the lies sold to the lower and middle classes and their lack of prospects. It was recently sung by 1.2 million people.
posted by signal at 6:54 PM on October 27, 2019 [5 favorites]
* we still haven't set on a name.
posted by signal at 6:54 PM on October 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by signal at 6:54 PM on October 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
Chile’s People Have Had Enough (Slate) by Lili Loofbourow, with a massive amount of linked articles within it
On Friday night, the largest protest in the country’s history gathered, with approximately 1.2 million in Santiago and protests in solidarity all over the country. The sheer size also doesn’t lend itself easily to factionalist descriptions. That’s what sets this moment apart—and makes it seem just very faintly possible that a country that’s been rehashing the same triumphalist and traumatic stories about itself for decades might be able to pivot for a new chapter.
posted by lesser weasel at 10:13 PM on October 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
On Friday night, the largest protest in the country’s history gathered, with approximately 1.2 million in Santiago and protests in solidarity all over the country. The sheer size also doesn’t lend itself easily to factionalist descriptions. That’s what sets this moment apart—and makes it seem just very faintly possible that a country that’s been rehashing the same triumphalist and traumatic stories about itself for decades might be able to pivot for a new chapter.
posted by lesser weasel at 10:13 PM on October 27, 2019 [2 favorites]
signal: El derecho de vivir en paz , by Victor Jara
I saw another rendition of this song, shared by Stephen Ellcock on Facebook. Sung acapella by soprano Ayleen Jovita Romero in defiance of the curfew. Very moving, especially when the applause erupts from the surrounding buildings.
The heart-stopping moment a soprano breaks the martial law
posted by Surely This at 4:32 PM on October 28, 2019 [4 favorites]
I saw another rendition of this song, shared by Stephen Ellcock on Facebook. Sung acapella by soprano Ayleen Jovita Romero in defiance of the curfew. Very moving, especially when the applause erupts from the surrounding buildings.
The heart-stopping moment a soprano breaks the martial law
posted by Surely This at 4:32 PM on October 28, 2019 [4 favorites]
The artistic resistance has been a thing of beauty
posted by adamvasco at 3:25 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by adamvasco at 3:25 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
The design workshop I teach met yesterday. We'd decided to not tell them what to do, just see what they felt. We talked for a few hours, and they proposed to document all the ways people are creating based off of the movement: graffitti, improvised bike paths on the disabled metro lines, costumes (so many costumes), etc. We don't know what we'll do with the info, yet, but that's the idea.
posted by signal at 2:17 PM on October 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by signal at 2:17 PM on October 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
'We are subjugated by the rich. It's time for that to end'.
Here seven protesters explain what they’re fighting for.
posted by adamvasco at 7:56 PM on October 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Here seven protesters explain what they’re fighting for.
posted by adamvasco at 7:56 PM on October 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Here's an excellent 25 minute podcast from Oct. 25 (only outdated fact seems to be that APEC etc is no longer happening in Chile).
Wait, There's More: What's Fueling the Turmoil in Chile (SLSpotify)
Starting on minute 12:20, an interview with Florencio Ceballosm a Chilean economist at the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa. Before that, a British reporter describes what he's seen going on in Chile.
posted by ipsative at 7:17 PM on November 1, 2019
Wait, There's More: What's Fueling the Turmoil in Chile (SLSpotify)
Starting on minute 12:20, an interview with Florencio Ceballosm a Chilean economist at the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa. Before that, a British reporter describes what he's seen going on in Chile.
posted by ipsative at 7:17 PM on November 1, 2019
El baile de los que sobran, by the Chilean post-punk band Los Prisioneros, recorded at the end of Pinochet's dictatorship which talks about the lies sold to the lower and middle classes and their lack of prospects. It was recently sung by 1.2 million people.
🎶Join the Dance of the Leftovers.
Nobody will ever kick you out. 🎶
The barking dog, the band used to tell journalists was their mutt Nelson during the song's recording, and instead of rerecording they kept Nelson in. This ended up being just a story (no Nelson, the bark was pre-programmed in the band's keyboard) but it's got poetic truth. We don't discriminate, if the dog wants to join the dance.
We have a thing for stray dogs. How could we not? They are a staple of city life, they're fed and protected by storekeepers, groundskeepers, kind people all over the country. The photocopiers team at my friends' Uni (back when that's how we got our coursepacks) had a tipbox for dogfood, for the stray on campus.
The economics aside, this is a movement for better treatment and dignity, respect, better relationships in our community. What if we treated each other the way we believe dogs should be treated?
posted by ipsative at 7:42 PM on November 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
🎶Join the Dance of the Leftovers.
Nobody will ever kick you out. 🎶
The barking dog, the band used to tell journalists was their mutt Nelson during the song's recording, and instead of rerecording they kept Nelson in. This ended up being just a story (no Nelson, the bark was pre-programmed in the band's keyboard) but it's got poetic truth. We don't discriminate, if the dog wants to join the dance.
We have a thing for stray dogs. How could we not? They are a staple of city life, they're fed and protected by storekeepers, groundskeepers, kind people all over the country. The photocopiers team at my friends' Uni (back when that's how we got our coursepacks) had a tipbox for dogfood, for the stray on campus.
The economics aside, this is a movement for better treatment and dignity, respect, better relationships in our community. What if we treated each other the way we believe dogs should be treated?
posted by ipsative at 7:42 PM on November 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
Hey Signal! Would you mind posting stoff here you think other Chileans (i.e. me) may miss if we're abroad. I've been all ears but now I've had to cut back on Twitter because it's too much.
This is yesterday's episode (in Spanish) of a University of Chile Radio show called Odio la TV pero me encanta (I Hate TV But I Love It), which does media analysis. Thought you may have missed it/be interested.
As I find more English analysis I'm sure to add it here as well!
posted by ipsative at 8:19 PM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
This is yesterday's episode (in Spanish) of a University of Chile Radio show called Odio la TV pero me encanta (I Hate TV But I Love It), which does media analysis. Thought you may have missed it/be interested.
As I find more English analysis I'm sure to add it here as well!
posted by ipsative at 8:19 PM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
(Re: the latter link, if you've ever heard me complain about my former "elite" school education, keep in mind that my school graduated at least 3 of the major TV personalities in the country. It is so sinister to watch these morning shows and recognize the same, ideologies. To paraphrase the school's anthem, I never can forget the years I spent within those walls, the toxic "spirit that imbued thy halls".)
posted by ipsative at 8:27 PM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ipsative at 8:27 PM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
hey ipsative: happy to, though I'm sort of cutting back myself lately. I've reached a certain saturation point.
posted by signal at 9:24 PM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by signal at 9:24 PM on November 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
So yesterday President Sebastian Piñera tells BBC he does not resign but admits to change dictatorship constitution.
Chile prosecutor seeks to investigate 14 police officers for alleged torture of protesters.
Copa Liberadores football final will now now be held in Lima and the UN Climate change conferance will now be held in Madrid.
posted by adamvasco at 10:15 AM on November 6, 2019
Chile prosecutor seeks to investigate 14 police officers for alleged torture of protesters.
Copa Liberadores football final will now now be held in Lima and the UN Climate change conferance will now be held in Madrid.
posted by adamvasco at 10:15 AM on November 6, 2019
Bruno Kaiuca is a Brazilian photographer who has just posted these fotos from yesterdays manifestatiion in Plaza Italia.
posted by adamvasco at 11:21 AM on November 6, 2019
posted by adamvasco at 11:21 AM on November 6, 2019
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tourniquete (ES), tourniquet (FR): turnstile (EN)
posted by zamboni at 8:20 AM on October 19, 2019 [49 favorites]