Chile: clashes during a march for the Mapuche, a lawyer dies

Protest march by Mapuche Indian activists in Santiago de Chile, October 10, 2021. REUTERS - IVAN ALVARADO

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Incidents between the police and demonstrators took place on October 10, 2021 in Santiago on the sidelines of a demonstration for the Mapuche, the main indigenous people of Chile.

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A 43-year-old lawyer, Denisse Cortés, died in hospital, following an injury caused by fireworks during the demonstration in favor of the Mapuche community, the main indigenous people of Chile.

The young woman participated in the demonstration as a mediator and defender of human rights.

The main candidates in the presidential election scheduled in six weeks reacted very quickly and condemned the death of the lawyer, with some nuances however.

The conservative José Antonio Kast blasted an “ 

 ” while the candidate of the left party (PRO) underlined the pacifist nature of this march.

There would also be a dozen injured and several arrests.

The antidisturbios policía se enfrenta con demonstrantes durante una protesta de indígenas Mapuches en el centro de Santiago, el 10 de octubre de 2021 Martin BERNETTI AFP

The prosecution has opened an investigation, the Interior Ministry said.

The police chief explained that the fireworks were launched by a group of hooded people.

Violence is frequent during demonstrations of support for Chile's largest indigenous community.

In 2018, a young Mapuche was killed by the police.

The “March for Mapuche resistance and peoples' autonomy” was organized via social networks.

This community is demanding land restitution from the State in the south of the country and is stepping up actions in this direction.

Last July,

, a Mapuche Indian, was elected president of the Constituent Assembly responsible for drafting a new Constitution.

The Mapuche represent 700,000 people out of the 18 million inhabitants of Chile.

MARTIN BERNETTI AFP

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