Thousands of people took to the streets of Santiago on the anniversary of the protests

Some 25,000 Chileans took part in a manifesto in Santiago on the first anniversary of mass protests in the country.

The protesters gathered on Bakedano Square, where the most mass protests took place a year ago. The radio station reports that there were clashes between the protesters and police during the manifesto. Law enforcers claim that the church was set on fire and acts of vandalism were committed.

The Chilean authorities asked the demonstrators to observe social distance measures to prevent the coronavirus from becoming infected.

A wave of riots and mass demonstrations began in Chile in October 2019. The reason for this was the authorities’ decision to increase the cost of travel to the Santiago Metro. The protesters were against social inequality and the current government policy. According to official information, 20 people died in the protests.