Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Activist Dies in Chile’s Plaza Italia as Police Repress Medics

Abel Acuña was only 29 years old. Yesterday at Plaza de la Dignidad (ex Plaza Italia), violent repression was unleashed against protesters. This sent Acuña into a cardiac arrest. Acuña’s death is the responsibility of Sebastián Piñera’s government.

Leo Zino

November 16, 2019
Facebook Twitter Share
A demonstrator holds a flag that reads ''New Constitution'' during a protest against Chile's state economic model in Santiago, Chile [Ivan Alvarado/Reuters]

The rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons attacked the crowds with no mercy or compassion.

The paramedics tried to help Abel Acuña when he went into cardiac arrest. They almost saved him, but the repression was so strong they couldn’t continue their medical treatment and Acuña died. The Plaza de la Dignidad is in mourning today, but that pain is being transformed into anger and into hate against a regime that only a few hours after the repression was asking for peace. 

Photo Leo Zino

The magnitude of the repression suffered in the Plaza was outrageous. It was the audacity, rebelliousness, solidarity, and courage of the people that prevented the death toll from being even higher. The heroic youth confront the hated police, preventing them from continuing their slaughter. The vast majority of the population cheers on and appreciates the youth. 

The barricades are going up and people know those barricades are protection from the next police offensive against them, their sisters, and their brothers. In the Plaza there are no “violent” and “peaceful” protestors. In Plaza de la Dignidad people are resisting for their lives.

The entire Chilean regime has given a green light to repress. The hatred against the ‘pacos’ (cops) is so strong it creates a sisterhood and brotherhood of young and old that is changing the course of history.

Last Thursday, the government and the opposition within the Congress (the right-wing coalition Chile Vamos, the left-wing coalition Frente Amplio, the Socialist Party and others) reached an agreement to stop the mobilizations and prevent Sebastián Piñera from falling to the force of the street mobilization.

The agreement is based on calling a referendum next April 2020 to ask the population if they want to change the constitution that was approved during Pinochet’s dictatorship in 1988.  

The “agreement” was discussed behind closed doors and announced at 3 A.M. Friday morning after another national day of massive protests. The agreement is an insult to a society that has been protesting for the fall of Piñera and the creation of a Constituent Assembly. 

Photo Leo Zino

Abel Acuña will forever be remembered. He will forever light up the Plaza de la Dignidad. The struggle for the fall of Piñera continues and a massive mourning vigil is expected tonight. The pain is immense, and the determination is greater.

Down with Pinera!

Down with Pinochet’s Regime!

 

 

Facebook Twitter Share

Latin America

Alfredo Cisneros, Mexican land defender from Michoacán, stands in a forest. He is the fifth land defender to be murdered in the country in 2023.

Alfredo Cisneros: Fifth Mexican Environmentalist Assassinated in 2023

Alfredo Cisneros Madrigal, indigenous leader and forest defender in Michoacán, Mexico was murdered on February 23. He is the fifth environmental defender to be murdered in the country so far this year.

Axomalli Villanueva

March 13, 2023

Lula Visits Biden to Repair Relations with U.S. Imperialism

Brazilian President Lula's U.S. visit shows that he's focused on maintaining the interests of Brazilian capital while aligning with U.S. imperialism and being careful not to alienate Beijing.

Caio Reis

February 16, 2023

SOUTHCOM Chief Aims to Increase Imperialist Plunder of Latin America’s Resources

U.S. Southern Command Chief Laura Richardson has expressed interest in lithium and other natural resources in South America. It shows the country’s commitment to corporate profits at the expense of workers, Indigenous people, and the environment.

Luigi Morris

January 26, 2023

The Peruvian Uprising: Massive Protests Demand the Fall of the Coup Regime and a Constituent Assembly

Peru has erupted in a massive uprising demanding that President Dina Boluarte resign, that the current Congress be shut down, and that a new constitution be established. The protests are the culmination of years of political oppression of the country’s indigenous communities, drastic poverty rates and precarity for Peru’s workers and poor, and a political regime that continues the legacy of Alberto Fujimori’s dictatorship.

MOST RECENT

It is Possible to Win: The Pension Reform Crisis in France

A French socialist reflects on the way forward after Macron invites Article 49.3 to pass pension reform.

Paul Morao

March 20, 2023

“We are your economy”: Trans Youth Walkout and Speak Out

The following is a speech by a young trans person as part of an action called for by NYC Youth for Trans Rights.

Tatiana Cozzarelli

March 20, 2023
Three tables full of food, with signs hung above them. One says "The People's Pantry: FREE FOOD." Banners hung from the tables say "Free CUNY" and "Cop Free School Zone"

CUNY Administration Cracks Down on Student and Worker-Run Food Pantry

Students and workers opened "The People's Pantry" seven weeks ago as part of a broader anti-austerity campaign at CUNY, leading to several direct confrontations with the administration.

Olivia Wood

March 19, 2023

Neither NATO Nor Putin: An Anti-war Program for an Anti-war Protest

The following is a flier that Left Voice distributed at the March 18 rally in DC with the anti-war program we believe we must all take up.

Left Voice

March 19, 2023