Chile: Violence occurs at demonstration in Santiago Sept. 8

Violence occurred at a march in central Santiago that departed from the Los Heroes area en route to the General Cemetery on Sept. 8. The purpose of the demonstration was to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 1973, military coup and commemorate the lives of those who were killed by the subsequent dictatorship. At least 3,000 people participated in the march. Some individuals reportedly threw Molotov cocktails and other objects amid the demonstration, prompting police to fire tear gas and water cannon as well as make at least 23 arrests. Authorities also reported that one person was stabbed in the area of the unrest, although it was not immediately clear whether the incident was directly related to the demonstration; one person has been arrested in connection with the stabbing.

Although officials deployed some 1,800 police officers to monitor the march and maintain public order, further unrest and associated violence are possible through at least late Sept. 8. The protest activity is especially likely to be violent if it persists into the night. Transport and business disruptions will likely affect areas where protest activity and violence occur. Portions of Avenida Recoleta and Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, widely known as Alameda, were scheduled to remain closed until at least 15:00 in connection with the demonstration, and other roads may be closed on short notice.