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10/25/2019

Topic Reading-Vol.2753-10/25/2019


Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Chile protests: Unrest in Santiago over metro fare increase
Chile is a very long narrow strip of land that lies between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The capital, as well as the largest city,  is Santiago, where over six million people live. In the metropolitan city, there are seven metro lines that stretch 140 kilometers with 136 stations, the most extensive metro network in South America. Over 2.5 million passengers are carried daily by this state-owned metro network, the Santiago Metro, which is part of the integrated public transport system that serves the capital using also feeder and main bus routes. Indeed, the metro serves an important role for residents of Santiago.
Recently, protests were sparked in the capital city when a fare increase of this vital metro system was announced, and some of them turned violent. Young protesters, mainly high school and college students attacked underground stations, started fires and blocked traffic, just like Hong Kong. A state of emergencies was declared to contain the unrest.
Why did a price hike of metro fares trigger such violence? Do young people think they are allowed to protest in any way they want?
Enjoy reading the article and think about the similarities and differences in protests in Santiago and Hong Kong.

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