EDON expresses its solidarity with the millions of protesters who have taken to the streets in Lebanon and Chile in recent weeks. These are unprecedented demonstrations in mass and length, despite their different causes of beginning, they are condemning anti-popular and neo-liberal policies. It is not by accident that the governments of these countries have confronted these demonstrations with an unprecedented level of violence and repression.
Taxes on fuel and essentials, as suggested by the IMF and the banking elite, was too much for the people bear where in Lebanon 35% of the population lives in poverty, unemployment prevails and corruption reigns. For the first time, the people descend into the streets united, demanding an end to the sectarian system of representation that reproduces the domination of the various religious groups and neglects the popular will.
The rise in ticket prices on public transport has prompted popular mobilization in Chile. The reactions launched by the student movement have grown enormous with more than a million protesters demanding the resignation of the government, in a country where privatization and neoliberalism are constitutionally favored. At least 18 people have been killed so far by the brutal state terrorism of the security forces and the army, which first took to the streets after the end of their military dictatorship by Augusto Pinochet.
As EDON, we express our support and solidarity to our sister organizations, the Communist Youth of Chile (JJCC) and the Lebanese Democratic Youth Union (ULDY), which are leading the mass mobilization with dozens of members being persecuted and jailed.
