Thousands of protesters in Cali took to the streets for a 4th consecutive day as part of a general strike in Colombia, opposing new tax hikes on basic goods and services as well as the privatization of healthcare. Police responded with brutal repression, opening fire with live rounds and attacking peaceful demonstrations at multiple sites across the city.
Protests in Belarus are now held just as much by women as men, due to the brutal detention of women in Minsk, being tossed into unmarked vans by their hair and beaten en route to jail. Demonstrations are still concentrated in Minsk, but remain active nationwide.
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.
2500 protesters marched in Patras against the reintroduction of police to universities in a bill proposed by Greek Minister of Education Niki Kerameos, demanding the retraction of the law put forward by the leading conservative New Democracy Party.
Protesters in Dahour Al-Abadiyeh were attacked by the military of Lebanon, who cleared the town’s road and assaulted demonstrators decrying government incompetence in handling hyperinflation and soaring gas prices.
