Over the past few months, multiple protests have erupted worldwide, spanning from the Middle East to Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. A common theme that ties these protests together is that of injustice and social inequality, ultimately triggering calls for action from global powers. Why exactly are they happening, though?
In Chile, demonstrations began in mid-October after a spike in public transportation fares. This then led to looting and riots which have killed at least 18 and injured hundreds. Demonstrations were then led by youth from across the city of Santiago, where protestors demanded political and economic reforms, decrying inequality, deficient public services, and repression from the government. Reportedly, about one million people stormed Santiago in protest.
The Chilean Government has responded by putting Santiago under a state of emergency, enforcing night-time curfews and constant patrols. Even Chilean President Sebastian Pinera has promised to address the protestors’ grievances, but many fear that these promises are too late.
In Lebanon, unrest originated from a tax on using the popular WhatsApp. Earlier this month, after the Lebanese government said it would impose a 20% extra cost on the first WhatsApp call users made every day, protests erupted, reaching a point where Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, resigned.
Even though the tax got quickly over-turned, it marked the final straw for people who had felt adversity and economic equality at the hands of their government.
In Catalonia, people are protesting in two opposing groups—those who oppose Catalonia’s decision to secede from Spain, and those disgruntled over a Supreme Court verdict convicting several Catalan independence leaders. Thus, Spain is now seeing its worst political crisis in decades. The most recent rally of 350,000 separatists in Barcelona left some 40 people injured from fights between police and citizens. Ever since the October 14 Supreme Court verdict, more than 500 people have been hurt; almost half being police officers.
Other protests have been occurring in countries such as Haiti, Iraq, Pakistan, China, Russia, and France.
Darlon Riviere - Staff Writer