Changes

The '''2019 Chilean State of Emergency''' refers to unfolding civil protests and various acts of violence throughout [[Chile]] — led by [[socialists]] and [[communists]] — in response to a rise in the Chilean capital's ''Metro'' subway fare, inequality, falling wages and the rising cost of education and healthcare.<ref>Gomez, Christian (November 2, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/33923-socialist-protests-paralyze-chile Socialist Protests Paralyze Chile]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 2, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/33951-communist-war-on-chile Communist War on Chile]. ''The New American''. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.</ref> The protests began in Chile's capital, [[Santiago]], on Friday October 18th as a coordinated fare evasion campaign by high school students which quickly 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 October 19th, with curfews issued in several cities. The protests have several times turned violent, with open clashes with police and army units. Police have used tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and pellet guns as a last resort. Looting has also taken place and supermarkets, petrol stations and the high-rise headquarters of a major energy firm were set on fire during October. During the riots, many civilians from the Santiago suburbs rushed to defend local supermarkets, after community leaders called for volunteers to guard against rioters. Many ordinary civilians were armed, with a variety of improvised weapons, steel pipes, baseball bats, and air rifles.<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]] — led by [[socialists]] and [[communists]] — in response to a rise in the Chilean capital's ''Metro'' subway fare, inequality, falling wages and the rising cost of education and healthcare.<ref>Gomez, Christian (November 2, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/33923-socialist-protests-paralyze-chile Socialist Protests Paralyze Chile]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 2, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/33951-communist-war-on-chile Communist War on Chile]. ''The New American''. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.</ref> The protests began in Chile's capital, [[Santiago]], on Friday October 18th as a coordinated fare evasion campaign by high school students which quickly 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 October 19th, with curfews issued in several cities. The protests have several times turned violent, with open clashes with police and army units. Police have used tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and pellet guns as a last resort. Looting has also taken place and supermarkets, petrol stations and the high-rise headquarters of a major energy firm were set on fire during October. During the riots, many civilians from the Santiago suburbs rushed to defend local supermarkets, after community leaders called for volunteers to guard against rioters. Many ordinary civilians were armed, with a variety of improvised weapons, steel pipes, baseball bats, and air rifles.<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>

==Mob violence==

==Mob violence==

 

Residents set fires, looted and destroyed liquor stores, grocery stores, retail shops, and fast-food restaurants. Security forces — both police and military — were clearly targeted; with several very nearly pulled out of their van and lynched in the suburb of Maipú on October 18th had it not been for the timely arrival of police reinforcements on foot.<ref>[http://www.resumenlatinoamericano.org/2019/10/25/chile-cientos-de-manifestantes-atacan-en-maipu-un-furgon-policial-y-vuelcan-toda-su-rabia-con-los-carabineros-por-su-accionar-brutal-de-estos-dias/ Chile. Cientos de manifestantes atacan en Maipú un furgón policial y vuelcan toda su rabia contra los Carabineros por su accionar brutal de estos días]</ref>

Residents set fires, looted and destroyed liquor stores, grocery stores, retail shops, and fast-food restaurants. Security forces — both police and military — were clearly targeted; with several very nearly pulled out of their van and lynched in the suburb of Maipú on October 18th had it not been for the timely arrival of police reinforcements on foot.<ref>[http://www.resumenlatinoamericano.org/2019/10/25/chile-cientos-de-manifestantes-atacan-en-maipu-un-furgon-policial-y-vuelcan-toda-su-rabia-con-los-carabineros-por-su-accionar-brutal-de-estos-dias/ Chile. Cientos de manifestantes atacan en Maipú un furgón policial y vuelcan toda su rabia contra los Carabineros por su accionar brutal de estos días]</ref>

==Yellow Vests==

==Yellow Vests==

 

On October 23rd, neighbours in the Maipú suburb of Santiago rallied in defence of their local supermarket, beating up with improvised clubs the fleeing rioters that had largely ransacked the place before the arrival of police and reinforcements in the form of local ''Chalecos Amarillos'' (Yellow Vests).<ref>[https://www.24horas.cl/nacional/vecinos-expulsan-a-palos-y-patadas-a-saqueadores-en-supermercado-en-maipu-3679320 Vecinos expulsan a palos y patadas a saqueadores en supermercado en Maipú]</ref>.

On October 23rd, neighbours in the Maipú suburb of Santiago rallied in defence of their local supermarket, beating up with improvised clubs the fleeing rioters that had largely ransacked the place before the arrival of police and reinforcements in the form of local ''Chalecos Amarillos'' (Yellow Vests).<ref>[https://www.24horas.cl/nacional/vecinos-expulsan-a-palos-y-patadas-a-saqueadores-en-supermercado-en-maipu-3679320 Vecinos expulsan a palos y patadas a saqueadores en supermercado en Maipú]</ref>.