About 20 Boston University students gathered in front of the School of Management building on Friday morning to protest Chilean President Sebastián Piñera’s presentation on campus.
The demonstration focused on the Chilean government’s tax hikes on the poor and indigenous people and its efforts to suppress protests in Chile, said Graduate School of Arts and Sciences student Ian Chinich, who organized the protest.
The government used tear gas and water cannons on peaceful protesters, including students who were advocating public education reform.
Demonstrators yelled “student power” throughout the protest, chanting at Piñera when he arrived. They stood outside until Piñera left the building, when they resumed chanting and held up signs that read, “No more profiteering.”
The rally at SMG is one of several against the Chilean government aiming to bring attention to the August attacks on Chilean students, who were protesting for a reform of Chile’s public education system, according to a Aug. 5 CNN report.
“You care about other people in the world and especially as an American whose country has been so involved in destroying democratic movements in that country for the past 100 years,” Chinich said.
In the last month, 874 students in Chile have been arrested for protesting for improved public education, according to CNN. Chinich said these reports prompted him to organize the protest in two days.
Chinich said he sees BU’s invitation of Piñera to speak on campus as a sign of support for his political actions and agenda. The demonstration was not just about the students, Chinich said, but a worldwide issue.
“He didn’t really talk about the animosity of the students’ protests against his politics,” said Amrit Amirapu , a GRS doctorate student, who attended the presentation.
Some students, such as College of Arts and Sciences junior Brandon Wood , said the demonstration was an eye-opener to issues.
“I was walking out of my econ. lecture in Morse and I heard these guys yelling in the street and I wanted to see what it was all about,” Wood said. “You got to get more people knowing about this, it’s a political problem.”
The demonstration’s effect on Piñera remains unclear.
“He wanted to appear comfortable and popular but didn’t have much else to add. He, honestly, seemed really detached,” said Lee Tucker , a GRS doctorate student.
While members of the Boston Police Department and other security forces cleared Silber Avenue for Piñera’s exit, the crowds dissipated only after the president was escorted into his vehicle and driven away.
“He was annoyed by it,” Chinich said. “I mean, they cleared us off the street so he wouldn’t have to deal with us. I think it caught his attention a little bit.”
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I think that the police shluld and have to protect private property and vandalism. It was not a peaceful demonstration. So far, the students have not accomplished anything, only they have damaged lots of schools, lose classes, some of the students will not be able to graduate. Yes, some of the demands are reasonable and very logic, specially tuition for the universities. the other issues have been there in the other goverments. Nobody said anything…. I agree that the education needs a complete overhaul, which cannot be done in a winked… so what is next???