Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Bloody Riots Rock Santiago

Thousands battle riot police in Chile capital

Share

(Newser) – Riots erupted in Santiago, Chile, yesterday in what the Guardian calls a "middle class revolt" against the government of president Michele Bachelet. Burning barricades brought the capital almost to a standstill, riot troops used water cannon and tear gas, and protesters hurled stones. Protesters' demands include greater wage equality and a cap on food and energy prices.

Among the injured was a senator who was bleeding after being clubbed by a police officer, who later apologized. Hundreds were arrested in the riots, which followed a wave of strikes, as leaders of Chile's largest labor union threatened to lay siege to Santiago. "This protest will start to change things," said one union official. "There will be one after another."

Riot police use a water cannon against demonstrators blocking a street during a protest against the economic policies of the government of President Michelle Bachelet, in Santiago, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Santiago Llanquin)
Riot police use a water cannon against demonstrators blocking a street during a protest against the economic policies of the government of President Michelle Bachelet, in Santiago, Wednesday, Aug. 29,...   (Associated Press)
Riot police officers scape from a molotov cocktail thrown by demonstrators during a protest against the economic policies of the government of President Michelle Bachelet, in Santiago, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Aliosha Marquez)
Riot police officers scape from a molotov cocktail thrown by demonstrators during a protest against the economic policies of the government of President Michelle Bachelet, in Santiago, Wednesday, Aug....   (Associated Press)
Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest against the economic policies of the government of President Michelle Bachelet, in Santiago, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Aliosha Marquez)
Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest against the economic policies of the government of President Michelle Bachelet, in Santiago, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Aliosha Marquez)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

7 Stories

Madonna 'Offends God,' Says Cardinal at Dictator Mass

Cardinal condemns Material Girl for provoking 'lustful enthusiasm'

Dec 11, 08 3:53 AM CST
(Newser) - Madonna's stage performance is a "stain" on humanity and an "offense to God," declared a controversial Chilean cardinal who enjoyed close ties to the late military dictator General Augusto Pinochet. Cardinal Jorge Medina condemned Madonna from the pulpit during a mass for Pinochet, Reuters reports. The singer... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Chile • Augusto Pinochet • Santiago • Madonna • Hard Candy • Cardinal Jorge Medina

 Chilean Volcano
 Keeps Rumbling 

Area evacuated as lava flies 12 miles into the sky from long-dormant Chaiten

May 6, 08 1:53 PM CDT
(Newser) - The southern Chilean town of Chaiten has been totally evacuated after a volcano, active since Friday, belched molten lava and ash more than 12 miles high, the AP reports. Around 4,000 people have already left the area since the volcano—believed dormant for thousands of years—began acting up,... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Chile • evacuation • volcano • Michelle Bachelet • emergency responders • volcanoes • disaster

 Chilean Mayor
 Beefs Up Support
 With Free Viagra 

Surprise bonus for guys over 60

Apr 30, 08 3:21 AM CDT
(Newser) - The mayor of a Chilean town has come up with a new way of securing support among voters: he's is handing out free Viagra. The mayor  of a working class suburb of the capital of Santiago has ordered physicians to hand out batches of the blue sex potency pills four... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Chile • mayor • Viagra • Santiago • Gonzalo Navarette Munoz • Lo Prado

7 Stories


Battle of Santiago

How Chile's English-language newspaper reported the story
Santiago Times (Chile)

Video of Santiago street clashes
BBC

In an echo of the Pinochet regime, a secret police chief jailed for life
Miami Herald


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Chile • strike • riots • Arturo Martinez • Augusto Pinochet • Santiago • Michelle Bachelet

from our news partners