"Police arrested more than 160 demonstrators in Santiago, as parts of the capital city’s main Alameda thoroughfare were transformed into battlegrounds between police and rock-throwing protestors. And, as occurred last week, there were outcries alleging excessive police force."
This is an exert from the English newspaper here in Santiago. And I being a silly gringa wasn't thinking about where the strikes were happening. I was trying to get to the metro station today and I walked straight into this whole police-student war. It rained today and the streets were slippery so I was walking carefully. Suddenly, a hundred teenagers were running past me pushing and pulling each other to get away from something ahead of me. i didn't know what was going on, but before I knew it, I inhaled air filled with some chemical that burned my throat and nose like no other. i don't think it was tear gas because it didn't hurt my eyes, but boy oh boy did it hurt my throat. Before I get phone calls from worried parents, and grandparents, please hear me out. i am not in danger here. not any more than the hippies protesting against Vietnam were. It was scary yes, but after finding my way out of the crowd and into the metro, i was fine. A little sore throat and maybe a burning nose, but basically fine. And really, i admore these students for standing up for their rights. Many of them are loosing their winter vacation that is coming up because they will need to make up their lost class time. But stillthey protest. And they are being heard. With the whole country protesting now, the congressis meeting tomorrow to discuss the demands of the students.
This is an exert from the English newspaper here in Santiago. And I being a silly gringa wasn't thinking about where the strikes were happening. I was trying to get to the metro station today and I walked straight into this whole police-student war. It rained today and the streets were slippery so I was walking carefully. Suddenly, a hundred teenagers were running past me pushing and pulling each other to get away from something ahead of me. i didn't know what was going on, but before I knew it, I inhaled air filled with some chemical that burned my throat and nose like no other. i don't think it was tear gas because it didn't hurt my eyes, but boy oh boy did it hurt my throat. Before I get phone calls from worried parents, and grandparents, please hear me out. i am not in danger here. not any more than the hippies protesting against Vietnam were. It was scary yes, but after finding my way out of the crowd and into the metro, i was fine. A little sore throat and maybe a burning nose, but basically fine. And really, i admore these students for standing up for their rights. Many of them are loosing their winter vacation that is coming up because they will need to make up their lost class time. But stillthey protest. And they are being heard. With the whole country protesting now, the congressis meeting tomorrow to discuss the demands of the students.
Comments
You're living in exciting times!
mom