Thousands gather at Plaza Italia in Santiago to celebrate overwhelming support for new constitution October 25
Category: Transportation
Severity: 2 (Low)
Source: Drum Cussac
10/26/2020 (Chile) - Thousands of Santiago residents have gathered at the city's Plaza Italia (Baquendano) as of 22:00 (local time) on Sunday, October 25, to celebrate overwhelming support for drafting a new constitution following a national plebiscite. Early counts predict that at least three-quarters of all residents who participated voted in favor of redrafting the Pinochet-era constitution. Unofficial tallies by exit polls suggest the vast majority of voters had also picked a specially-elected body of citizens to draft the new charter over a mixed contingent of lawmakers and citizens. The gathering at the plaza has largely been celebratory in nature, with no early reports of violence or arrests.
More than 40,000 security personnel have been deployed in anticipation of celebratory gatherings across the country over the coming days following the plebiscite.
Further associated celebratory gatherings are possible in Chile in the near term. A heightened security presence and localized disruptions are possible in the vicinity of all large gatherings.
Context
The Chilean national plebiscite was scheduled to determine whether a new constitution will be drafted to replace the Pinochet-era constitution in the wake of anti-government protests in 2019. Moreover, it will be decided whether it will be determined by a directly elected constitutional convention or a mixed convention of members of parliament and elected citizens. This new constitution would then be put to another referendum in 2022.
Those in Chile, particularly Santiago, are advised to monitor developments, avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
Related
News Alerts and Safety Profiles are provided strictly for informational purposes and contain the best available data at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the information in this report has not been independently verified and HTH Worldwide therefore accepts no responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies in such information and any such liability is expressly denied, and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made. Documents may be amended or withdrawn at any time without cause.