Chile: Student protests planned nationwide August 23

Event

A Chilean university student association (Confech) has organized marches and demonstrations to be held on Thursday, August 23, to protest proposed changes to the labor code. The largest protest will be held in the capital Santiago, with smaller protests expected in cities nationwide. In Santiago, demonstrators will gather beginning at 18:00 (local time) at Plaza Italia. Feminist, secondary student, and teacher associations have been called to join in the demonstrations. The Santiago gathering, which has not yet been approved by local authorities, will likely remain calm but low-intensity violence cannot be ruled out. Localized traffic disruptions are also possible.

Context

The protest is being held to oppose draft legislation currently under Senate consideration. Confech claims the legislation would allow businesses to take advantage of student workers.

Advice

Individuals in Santiago, and in Chile more generally, are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution.