Photo by new camerons [1]
The Workers United Centre [2] (CUT) commemorates the first of May every year, all over the main cities of the country. In Santiago a peaceful march on Alameda, one of the main streets of the capital, started early in the morning with all the workers. Lately the highest representative of the CUT, Arturo Martinez made a speech that focuses on “social justice and democracy” issues. All the authorities were invited. The manifestation took place in front of the Diego Portales [3] building in the centre of the capital. The entire act was done peacefully.
When it was finished, more than 350 people – mostly wearing hoods – infiltrated the manifestation and destroyed and robbed various stores around the area.
Mi verdad, tu verdad, la verdad [4] (ES) writes “… and the vandalism and destruction began (always they first destroy Burger Inn and McDonald’s, why?) and the TV says that the vandals always invite themselves…” Sebastián Torres [5] (ES) has a very good title for this issue in his blog: “Worker or Delinquent Day ?????” He also states that authorities are making legal actions against the responsible ones.
Today president Michelle Bachelet announces that all the legal power will be used to find those responsible. The vandals used flags with the anarchy symbol, wrote graffiti all over Alameda Street and moved the media attention to them.
In a more reflective viewpoint, Sociolrock [6] (ES) writes “ I do not consider someone valiant when they hide among people to throw stones, using them as a human shield. That shows us a loss of integrity and dignity towards the other people, and demonstrates their lack of organisational capacity, because we know that this violence doesn’t have a political motive; it's just a spontaneous act.”