Student protesters in Santiago at the University of Chile metro dropped a banner calling for the end of for-profit education as well as standardized testing, well-known to keep down students with less wealth. Students in Revolt Chile stated that such actions would continue, unless actions were taken to mend the broken education of the country.
A few dozen Chileans gathered at Plaza Dignidad in Santiago for the New Year, protesting against Piñera and for amnesty for all political prisoners. Demonstrators waving the Mapuche flag were immediately attacked by Carabineros, who used water cannons against a tiny demonstration of about 25-30 people.
Protesters in Peru turned out to protest in La Molina and Los Olivos, marching in the hundreds against the Merino administration that ousted Vizcarra. Demonstrators in Lima also turned out in the thousands in front of Parliament to denounce what is seen as a coup, clashing with police, with dozens if not hundreds of injuries occurring.
Hundreds of protesters in Pasto took to the streets as part of the 4th day of a general strike in Colombia in opposition to the Tributary Reform, which would increase taxes on basic goods and services, as well as against the privatization of healthcare and hospitals. Demonstrators took down the statue of Antonio Nariño in the city center and were then attacked by police who shot tear gas and later militarized the city.
Thousands of partygoers gathered in Huntington Beach, in Los Angeles, after organizing online, dubbing the event ‘Adrian’s Kickback’. Participants blocked roads and threw fireworks at police vehicles, with many jumping on and damaging police cruisers. Over 150 people were arrested, charged with a wide variety of offenses.
