SANTIAGO — Thousands of students, teachers, and social activists clashed with police in Santiago on Wednesday. The demonstration opposed education cuts and austerity measures proposed by President José Antonio Kast. Police officers deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The event was a protest.
The Confederation of Chilean Students organized the demonstration in Santiago. The Chilean Teachers' Union, secondary school student associations, and feminist groups supported the event. Some demonstrators threw rocks and other objects at officers. Protesters blocked multiple streets during the demonstration. Transit authorities closed several subway stations during the unrest. At least 12 individuals were arrested during the unrest. Several individuals sustained injuries during the unrest. The location was Santiago.
Mario Aguilar, President of the Chilean Teachers' Union, spoke regarding the incidents on Wednesday. The Teachers' Union supported the event. He said, "The government sought to provoke this, to create this situation to justify repression."
President Kast assumed office on March 11. The administration pledged to reduce public spending by approximately $6 billion over an 18-month period. The administration is implementing a budget reduction of nearly 3 percent across all government ministries. The period is 18 months.
Demonstrators also protested the National Reconstruction bill during the event. The legislation includes measures to reduce state spending. The legislation includes measures to encourage investment. The legislation includes measures to stimulate economic growth. The Chamber of Deputies approved the bill in late May. The bill is scheduled for debate in the Senate. Magdalena Correa, a student, said, "They are taking away our resources and rights, and we have to fight back." Correa added, "They want to silence us, but we are not going to stop." The events took place in Santiago. The events took place on Wednesday.