Santiago, Oct 18 Reuters - Chile's capital Santiago braced for protests on Monday to mark the second anniversary of the start of months of riots against inequality that left around 30 people dead and a trail of destruction around the city.
The 2019 protests - a mix of large, peaceful marches and small, violent riots - triggered a strong social shift in the Andean country and led to the formation of a representative assembly to redraft the market-oriented constitution.
Chile is headed for polarized presidential and legislative elections on 21 Nov., with voters set to choose between a resurgent liberal left which pledging social reforms and conservatives who would stick closer to the status quo in the world's top copper-producing nation.
In recent days, calls have circulated on social media for demonstrations to be held in the country to commemorate the start of the 2019 protests on Oct. 18.
Last year tens of thousands of Chileans gathered in the streets to mark the first anniversary with peaceful rallies that devolved into riots and looting as night broke, with mobs firebombing a police headquarters and at least two churches.
Where an elected assembly is drafting the new constitution, we cannot commemorate much less celebrate, even if we haven't won anything yet, read a billboard at the building where an elected assembly is drafting the new constitution, one of the achievements of the 2019 demonstrations.
The city road authority reported roadblocks and the remainder of some barricades in parts of Santiago. A demonstration took place early Monday morning at the Plaza de Costanera Center, which includes an iconic skyscraper.
The 2019 protests caused $1.6 billion in damages to public and private property, according to official data. The demonstrations, which lasted until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, left thousands injured.
The new assembly symbolically decided Monday afternoon to start debate on the content of the Constitutional document.
Ahead of the November election, former lawmaker and student leader Gabriel Boric is leading in public opinion polls supported by a leftist coalition. Former far-right Jes Antonio Kast has gained as well, with one poll suggesting him ahead.