Changes

The '''2019 Chilean State of Emergency''' refers to unfolding civil protests and various acts of violence throughout [[Chile]] in response to a rise in the Chilean capital's ''Metro'' subway fare, inequality, falling wages and the rising cost of education and healthcare. The protests began in Chile's capital, [[Santiago]], as a coordinated fare evasion campaign by high school students which led to the destruction of several subway stations in Santiago and open confrontations with the Chilean Police and Army. President [[Sebastián Piñera]] declared a state of emergency on September 19th, with curfews issued in several cities. The protests have at times turned violent, with clashes between police and rioters. Police have used tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets. Looting has also taken place and supermarkets, petrol stations and the high-rise headquarters of a major energy firm have been set on fire. During the riots, many civilians from the Santiago suburbs rushed to defend local supermarkets, after local radio stations called for volunteers to guard against rioters. Many civilians were armed, with a variety of improvised weapons, steel pipes, baseball bats, and handguns.<ref>[https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/los-chalecos-amarillos-chile-vecinos-patrullan-sus-nid2299816 Los "chalecos amarillos" de Chile: vecinos que patrullan sus barrios por temor a saqueos]</ref>

The '''2019 Chilean State of Emergency''' refers to unfolding civil protests and various acts of violence throughout [[Chile]] in response to a rise in the Chilean capital's ''Metro'' subway fare, inequality, falling wages and the rising cost of education and healthcare. The protests began in Chile's capital, [[Santiago]], as a coordinated fare evasion campaign by high school students which led to the destruction of several subway stations in Santiago and open confrontations with the Chilean Police and Army. President [[Sebastián Piñera]] declared a state of emergency on September 19th, with curfews issued in several cities. The protests have at times turned violent, with clashes between police and rioters. Police have used tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets. Looting has also taken place and supermarkets, petrol stations and the high-rise headquarters of a major energy firm have been set on fire. During the riots, many civilians from the Santiago suburbs rushed to defend local supermarkets, after local radio stations called for volunteers to guard against rioters. Many civilians were armed, with a variety of improvised weapons, steel pipes, baseball bats, and handguns.<ref>[https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/los-chalecos-amarillos-chile-vecinos-patrullan-sus-nid2299816 Los "chalecos amarillos" de Chile: vecinos que patrullan sus barrios por temor a saqueos]</ref>

==Fare evasion==

==Start of the crisis==

The protests began as a student-led demonstration against transport fares. In early October, the government announced that the metro rush hour prices would rise by 0.30 pesos ($US 0.04). Outrage grew after the price increase, leading secondary school students to conduct a mass fare evasion by jumping over the subway turnstiles, and, in some instances, destroying them.

The protests began as a student-led demonstration against transport fares. In early October, the government announced that the metro rush hour prices would rise by 0.30 pesos ($US 0.04). Outrage grew after the price increase, leading secondary school students to conduct a mass fare evasion by jumping over the subway turnstiles, and, in some instances, destroying them.