students demonstrate, a first since Boric came to power

From our correspondent in Santiago, Naila Derroisne

This mobilization took on a symbolic character since it was the first organized since Gabriel Boric, himself a former student leader, became president. Young people also voted largely for him in the presidential election and they expect a lot.

►Also read : Chile: Former student leader Gabriel Boric elected president at 35

Chilean students want an increase in the food grant, which is 37 euros. Difficult with this sum to hold until the end of the month. ” I use all my purse and for what remains to be paid I have to work Matias says.

Matias is part of the Confederation of Students of Chile. He would need at least 20 euros more per month to get by. ” Inflation and the variation of the price index have been steadily increasing for the past two years, due to the pandemic and the social movement of 2019 that shook our country “, he observes.

” Gabriel comes from the student world, social movements »

It’s been 10 years since the food exchange has been upgraded, so Matias is counting on the new president Boric to get things moving. ” Gabriel comes from the student world, from social movements. So the president should understand our action of going out in the street to demand our demands. This is the only pressure mechanism we have against the institution “, he continues.

Further in the procession, Catalina, 20, has another request for Gabriel Boric. ” We need non-sexist education. We must teach and change all these patriarchal mentalities “, she wishes. But even with a new government made up of a majority of women, Catalina has no illusions: “ A state does not become feminist overnight. It’s a change that lasts for years. It’s historic and it will stay in the books, but it will take time. »

During the demonstration, clashes broke out. A youth was shot by a police officer. The government quickly reacted by describing the facts as ” extremely serious “.