Thousands of protesters who took to the streets over the last two weeks to denounce the country’s government were meeting in public venues to draw up proposals for radically overhauling the social, political and economic foundations of the society.
Some were informal, spontaneous gatherings, while others were organised by Social Unity Roundtable, a coalition of unions and grassroots organisations trying to formulate a coherent national programme for change.
Earlier on Friday, Social Unity’s Belen Saavedra told Efe news, “They are townhall meetings where the citizens can say what they want and have that included in a document that contains the requests raised by the people”.
On Thursday, Saavedra helped organise a meeting of some 50 people in Santiago’s Nunoa neighbourhood.
Amid demands for free education, better health care and higher wages and pensions, participants return again and again to the idea of convening a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution, she said.
Chilen President Sebastian Pinera has announced plans for a dialogue with the citizenry, but the protesters show little interest in talking with the government.
According to Molina, for one thing, people no longer believe the President, who says the aim of the town hall meetings is a complete overhaul of the existing model.
“We need a new system from beginning to end. The people of Chile are shaking the foundations of the country, but the authorities seem unconvinced that they need to change,” Molina added.
Earlier on Wednesday, in Santiago, more than thousands gathered in the main Plaza Italia square, with some attempting to make their way to the heavily cordoned presidential palace and engaging in clashes with riot police.
On Monday, violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces broke out only hours after Pinera announced a cabinet reshuffle.
Last week, Foreign Minister Teodoro Ribera said that the Chilean government would ask the UN to send human rights observers to monitor the nationwide protests.
(With IANS inputs)