Written by Melanie Butler on January 4, 2013.
SANTIAGO – A group of masked men threw firebombs into two bank branches in an attempt to confront police about the 2008 murder of Matias Catrileo. The march, which occurred on the five year anniversary of the crime, started in remembrance of the young Mapuche.
The branches affected were the BancoEstado and Banefe branches on Bridge Street in Santiago Central. In addition to the bank burning, fights broke out on Avenida Santa Maria, where police responded with tear gas and water cannons.
The event started around 8 p.m. and brought about 300 people together. The protest stirred up memories of the murder, which occurred when police officer Walter Ramirez fatally shot Catrileo as he was fleeing a protest.
Ramirez only served a short prison sentence with probation.
Source: I Love Chile