Chile's Student Protests.

After Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship ended around twenty years ago, it left a legacy of neo-liberalism controlled, at first, by the US. Chile was in fact the testing grounds for neo-liberalism. Chile's education system is thus now the second most expensive in the world after the US. Many students cannot get an education and many others cannot afford to finish.

Following the example of Argentina a few years back, where the country eventually achieved free tertiary education; the Confederation of Students of Chile has been at the forefront of student protests and occupations since the breakdown of negotiations with Pinera's government. Since April this year, but with more emphasis this semester, 100 high schools and a dozen universities have been shut down by protests. There have been 132 protests this year in Santiago alone. Since, the government has proposed a bill that would criminalise student protests, which sparked a 48 hour general strike shutting down the country. Reports say 70% of Chileans agree with the aims of the student movement.

Protesters according to a friend of mine are “prepared to give up as many months of study as it takes to see real change happen” in the country. Some universities have been in 'lock-in/out' for up to 80 days, other groups of students have taken part in hunger strikes. Marches take place weekly across the country, in the capital Santiago marching to the presidential house.

The opposition have raised three points aiming for a “new agenda”, these include equality, “inclusive development" and a new constitution. However in the past the main party of the opposition the “”Socialist”” party has said they “did not have the support of all political sectors to advance from profit-based education, to education that is free […] and for all”. The student bodies are aware of this as the largest strikes that hit the country went against the socialist government in 2006. The socialist government, moreover, was in power from 1990 to 2010, without achieving any change in the education system.

The protests have in many cases been non-violent, but not predominantly. The only protests the government allows are the ones tagged non-violent, but these often break down into rock throwing form the students and charges, rubber bullets and teargas from the police. Journalists and civilians are routinely beaten up in the process. 

Interestingly Pinera became a billionaire while Pinochet was repressing Chile's working classes.

Unlike New Zealand, education is not a given in a country that's already poorer than most. Chile according to the GINI index is one of the most unequal in the world. This is due to Free Market Rule. 

The sky was darkening and there had been a layer of high fog over the city all day. I walked past the Octagon again this evening. Last night I was there roundabout the same time, with hundreds of others in expectation of the eviction of the local Occupy. Rumour goes the police wasn't even aware of an eviction until the rag had told them, which strengthened the occupiers belief that the media was forcing the event -in hope of tomorrow's fresh splash. That is possibly all it was, though a trespass notice had been given to the group, the bells eerily chimed eight resonating in an air crisp with electrifying anticipation. In contrast with a few minutes beforehand, when the 300 or so protesters had been chanting and marching around the Octagon; everyone was now quiet, prepared media crew were in their vehicles and the speakers' words rang hollow. For minutes at a time the sound of sirens forced people to instinctively turn. False alarm, nothing. I stayed til two philosophizing and talking politics, and helping to protect tents and protesters from a relatively paced onslaught of negative public feedback, including a headbutt which has since gone viral.

Today the tents were still there, though typical of midweek at the site, the new public forum of the square held few people after dinner. Instead of staying I thought I'd make my way to the uni library.

"Talking about foreign policy... Dan! how are you?"

I quickly dived into the depths of memory to remember him -"uh, wasup bro, having a good night?"; ah yes, from uni.

"Good mate, just come from the Octagon? Going to uni, exams? Good night?"

What a barrage of questions, I noticed he was slightly intoxicated. "Yeah, finished though. Just off to write some e-mails to the family. It's the only place I can do it, the library..."

"Oh, you must've been one of the first! I've been celebrating uhm ah Malbas we.."

"So you've finished too! For good"

"Yeah, na na. Just a coup hoping for a better place"

A coup!? Celebrating..? I couldn't quite understand what he was talking about. His demeanor was confusing, his words came flustered but also mumbled. I felt quite alarmed.

"Wait, a coup where?"

"... enough lack of equality, corporate greed..."

"Where has this coup been" And why the hell was he talking about it so personally!? I was becoming impatient.

"Look man, where..."

"These politicians have blood on their hands and... Here."

My mouth hung gaping, by the second I was becoming more confused. I looked around, was this a joke? Who's in that car behind me? I looked up the street quickly before looking at the man. The whites of his eyes had light red cracks and his gaze was glassy.

"Wait, what?"

"In Invercargill, come down to the quarters and... so many murders in their hands these politicians it is really quite a scary thing. So enough, equality all. From Invercargill, South Island going up from here, or down because Invercargill is up and it's all good". 

I stood staring at him still while he talked. I felt like a train had hit me, but equality and military... but New Zealand? We are in New Zealand. My thoughts rushed as fast as the adrenalin through my veins. I just realized I had seen an army truck, with its massive wheels and high motor, driving quickly not even five minutes ago. From the Naval HQ just down the road. It's benches were empty.

I was still in disbelief, I felt like this was an incredibly transcendental moment. How do I stop this.

"But it's all good" he repeated. "I'm off down now, maybe you should check the news more often". 

"Yeah... I'll uh, cool." I turned around and started walking to the library.

I was feeling incredibly paranoid. Everything around me was a sign, I felt like a hawk ready to dive on the smallest piece of evidence. I couldn't believe him, but was it true? There weren't many cars around, bars and restaurants were open, but empty. I took notice of my phone, nothing. For a second I told myself it was all normal, then I decided to look into Malbas.

It was also empty. Though nothing pointed to the drunk words of my friend, I still felt hawkish. When my phone went I jumped, thinking it may be a more political friend- it was just work. I now heard someone shout and round the corner someone looked to be superstitiously texting. My ears turned to any conversation i could pick up on and walking I stared into restaurants hoping to catch a glimpse of a news report.
At last I arrived to Uni, busy with exam study as usual at this time of the year. I was called to by a political friend to participate in my usual political conversations. This was ridiculous, but I checked up the news as quickly as possible, with nothing new.

This post has been cross-posted to savvyprojectingsatori.blogspot.com.